Nxai Pan Camp is the only permanent accommodation camp in Nxai Pan National Park. Where the second largest land animal (Zebra) migration in Southern Africa occurs. Interestingly; the largest is the bat migration in Kasanka National Park in Zambia.
The camp is proving a popular desert destination along with its sister camp Tau Pan Camp. The biggest draw to Nxai Pan National Park is the zebras that migrate by the thousands to the area.
Nxai Pan uses only solar power; for the generation of electricity, heating of water, and pumping of water from deep under the Kalahari sands. Wastewater is treated in a state-of-the-art sewerage treatment plant. The fully treated water is returned to the sands; from whence it came.
There are 9 x rooms at Nxai Pan Camp. Built from a light, specially selected material that keeps the rooms warm in winter; and cool in summer. A fan also helps circulate the breeze in those hotter months. The rooms are light and spacious. The main area of each room features double or twin beds, a seating area, and a small writing desk. The bathroom area has shelving and hanging space, a double sink, a separate flush toilet, and an inside shower. There is also an outside shower.
Decor is simple; but homely. Each room has a wooden veranda; offering perfect views of the permanent waterhole where elephants are often a feature; along with the jackals and guinea fowl who always come to drink. It’s the perfect spot to relax during the day.
Nxai Pan Camp accommodation
What to do at Nxai Pan Camp
Landscape and Activities ↓
The Area:
Nxai Pan covers an area of 1676 sq. km and became a game reserve in 1970. In 1992; the area was expanded to include Baines’ Baobabs and National Park status was granted. The pans were once part of the super lake that covered much of central Botswana. Including Lake Ngami and the Okavango Delta.
The landscape is largely covered by grassland and dotted with clusters of umbrella acacia trees. With mopane woodland to the north. During the rains; from November until late March; the landscape changes to lush green. The pans become covered in succulent grasses which attract large herds of antelope. Birdlife during this period is prolific with many species being different from what one would see in the Delta. It is definitely a birders paradise.
There are many Springboks and elephants in this area. During the rainy season, zebra migrate to the region. Giraffe and oryx ; up to 30 in a group; are also frequently seen in the area. Of course, this attracts many predators; lion, cheetah, jackal, spotted and brown hyena; and sometimes; the endangered wild dog and the secretive leopard.
The desert properties make a perfect contrast to the Okavango Delta and Northern Botswana regions. A great way to start or round off any trip.
Activities:
Game drives are in Land Cruisers (3 x rows of 3 seats with canopy, for a maximum of 6 people per vehicle); using a guide and tracker. Having a guide and a tracker adds to the experience; on two levels: You have two sets of eyes searching out the action; looking for tracks thereby ensuring a good chance of sightings; especially predators. Also; having the tracker concentrating on tracking; means that the guide is more able to talk to clients, keep them informed and answer all their questions.
Giraffes
Day trips to Baines’ Baobabs are also highly popular and include a picnic lunch at the site. the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines immortalized these age-old trees in paintings in 1862.
Baines Baobabs at Nxai Pan
Another classic activity at Nxai Pan is a nature walk with one of the San bushmen trackers; the original inhabitants of the Kalahari desert. Learn about how the San used to live nomadically. How they used to hunt, gather food, the water sources, and which plants were used for medicinal purposes. Their wealth of true bush knowledge is unparalleled and one of the guests’ favorite experiences at the desert camps. Stargazing is magnificent in this barely inhabited area.
As Nxai Pan is within a national park and the area is ecologically sensitive; it is not possible to do night and off-road drives.
Low Season is from 15th November to 31st March Mid/High Season is from 1st April to 14th November
2024-2025 Indicative Per Person Rates at Nxai Pan Camp
Stays of 1 – 5 nights
Stays of 6 – 7 nights
8 or more nights
1st April to 14th November 2024
$800
$760
$720
15th November 2024 to 31st March 2025
$800
A festive season surcharge applies per person sharing per night between the 20th of December 2024 and the 4th of January 2025, it is USD 150.
There is no single supplement at Nxai Pan Camp regardless of the number of nights of stay.
Nxai Pan Camp accommodation rates include: Accommodation with all meals and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). All activities. Daily laundry. Emergency medical evacuation cover (all guests must have their own travel and health insurance). If transfers are with Moremi Air; meet and greet in and out of Maun airport.
Botswana Family Safaris ↓
One of the rooms near the main area; is a family room. This is the same as the other units, but with an extra smaller bedroom containing twin beds; and one shared bathroom.
The family room is booked on a first-come, first-served basis and is prioritized for families with children under the age of 18. These are not for triple or quad sharing for adults.
Children’s rates under 16 yrs old: 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025: $400
Child Policy:
No minimum age in the Mid and High seasons (1st April to 30th November). Min age 6 years from 1st December to 31st March. Families with children under 12 require a private vehicle.
Kids are from 6 to 15 years old. Children of 16 years and older pay the full adult rate. A maximum of 3 children in the family room can receive the reduced rate. There is one “floating” extra bed in the camp therefore 2 x adults and 3 x children could stay in the family room. OR; if the family room is occupied by 4 persons; we could form one triple (2 x adults and 1 x child) using the extra bed. In addition to the family room; only one triple room can be booked on any given night. Children under the age of 18 years must share a room with an adult.
Nxai Pan Camp accommodation safari discounts
Repeat Kwando Guest Special:
A 5% discount for guests who have stayed before (not applicable for new travelers in the same booking with repeat guests). The camps and date of stay need to be provided for verification purposes. Can only be combined with Long Stay discount. Not valid in conjunction with any other special not mentioned.
HONEYMOON SPECIAL:
Honeymooners get discounts when staying at Nxai Pan Camp for up to a year following the wedding date. 50% discount for one adult’s accommodation
Plus honeymooners get: The couple will also receive a wedding gift at their first camp, A private dinner at any camp during their stay (agreed with you ahead of time).
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Nxai Pan Camp, the only permanent accommodation camp in Nxai Pan National Park where the second largest land animal (Zebra) migration in Southern Africa occurs.
