JACKS CAMP
Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

Introduction

Jack's Camp is located deep in the Kalahari Desert on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest saltpans in the world. Jack's Camp is a classic desert safari camp accommodating 20 guests in ten large walk-in tents, each with en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower.

The Makgadikgadi pans consist of two major basins, relics of a massive lake and swampland that existed over much of northern Botswana between about 2 million and 40,000 years ago. On the edge of the western basin, also known as the Ntetwe Pan are Jack's and Jack's Camps.

Jack's is situated on an isolated island filled with tall fan palms and commiphora trees. Named for the legendary Jack Bousefield, who was a pioneer of these remote wastes, Jack's Camp remains one of the most intriguing and mysterious places in the Kalahari or Kgalagadi. Owned and designed by Ralph Bousefield and Catherine Raphaely, Jack's and nearby Jack's Camp offer guests access to a completely unique area.

Camp Description

Accommodation is comfortable and in keeping with the character of the Makgadikgadi. Facilities include a mess tent for dining and a tea tent with Persian carpet cushions for socialising. After the rains (December to April), there can be enormous herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and Springbok - with the accompanying predators - on the open grasslands. The summer rains also leave a warm shallow layer of water that entices Waterfowl and Flamingos. Activities are conducted in open 4x4 vehicles custom designed for this terrain and accompanied by knowledgeable guides. In the dry winter months, all-purpose ATV vehicles (a four wheeler motorcycle/Quad bikes) available, allowing guests to travel across the saltpans. Walks with a Bushman tracker and a visit to Chapman's Baobab - the historical baobab tree used by Livingstone, Selous and other early exporers - are activities also on offer.

Game Viewing

During the summer months (November to April) the focus is on the thousands of zebra which have migrated from the Boteti River and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park immediately to the west. During these same months, the pans fill with water and attract numerous species of birds from flamingos to wattled cranes and pelicans. During the dry, or winter months, the migrations move westwards to the water available in the Boteti River but many desert-adapted creatures remain resident.

This is the domain of the brown hyaena, a shy and elusive creature, as well as suricates, aardvarks and small bustard species. Ralph Bousefield and his guides have made many important finds in the field of palaeontology, with stone implements and other evidence of Stone Age dwellers.

This is an extremely fragile environment filled with fascination and interest. The management and guides have an approach of maximum care for the environment, and this is a destination for the true lover of remote experiences.

Dry season: Meerkats, Yellow Mongoose, Ground Squirrel, Brown Hyaena, Aardwolf, African Wildcat, Caracal, Spring Hare, Porcupine, Steenbok, Kudu, Jackal, Honey Badger, Genet, very occasional Lion.

Wet season game viewing: Zebra, Wildebeest, very occasional Cheetah and all of the above, however, seen a lot less often due to the high grass.

Dry season Birding: Large number of vultures (White-backed and Lappet-faced), Bateleurs, Eagles (Tawny, Martial, Black-breasted Snake), Lanner and Red-footed Falcons, Gabar and Pale Chanting Goshawks, Francolin (Red-billed and Orange River), Ostrich, Secartarybird, Guineafowl, Black and Red-crested Korhaan, Kori Bustard, Crowned Plover, Double-banded Courser, Spotted Dikkop, all species of Sandgrouse, Giant Eagle and Pearl-spotted Owls, Lilac-breasted and Purple Rollers, large numbers of Hornbill species and a huge number of LBJs, Larks, Cisticolas and Pipits.

Wet Season Birding: All of the above plus a massive number of migrant waders, Sandpipers, Ruffs, Greenshank, Stilts, Pratincoles, Wattled Crane, Storks, Egrets, Flamingos (Lesser and Greater), Spoonbill, Terns, Teals, Ibis, Montagu's and Palid Harriers, Brown Snake, Steppe and Wahlberg's Eagles, Lesser and Rock Kestrel, Swallows, Swifts and Martins.

Location

Located on a tree and palm covered island on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana.

Accommodation

9 large walk-in tents, consisting of:
• 6 Twins
• 3 Honeymoon tents
• 1 twin guides tents (same standard as guest tents)
Triples are available for small children on request
This camp can accommodate 18 guests + tour leaders, escorts, guides
Room Details
• Traditional Green canvas tents
• Access to tents through a zipped door
• Ensuite bathroom facilities including shower, basin, flush toilet and outside shower

Activities

Wet Season:
• Game drives in open 4x4 Landcruisers - the camp has 3 custom designed vehicles with 2 rows of seats behind the front row thus seating max. 5 guests when allowing each guest an outside seat
• A morning spent with the Suricate (Meerkat)
• Bird walks to observe migratory waterfowl breeding / feeding sites.
• Very limited usage of 4WD quad bikes and vehicles on the pans - weather permitting and if the pans are dry
• Night drives to view migration and unique desert wildlife.
• Game walk with Bushman trackers.
• Visit to Chapman's Baobab (the campsite of Livingstone, Selous and Baines)
• Visit remote area dwellings / cattle posts to gain insight into local tribal tradition and culture.
• Explore undocumented archaeological sites to search for stone tools and fossils of extinct mega fauna left in the area by early settlements, weather permitting.
Dry Season:
• Extensive usage of 4WD quad bikes
• Explore undocumented archaeological sites to search for stone tools and fossils of extinct mega fauna left in the area by early settlements, weather permitting.
• Night drives to view unique desert wildlife.
• Game walk with Bushman trackers.
• Visit to Chapman's Baobab (the campsite of Livingstone, Selous and Baines
• A morning spent with the Suricate (Meerkat)

Laundry policy

Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs. There is washing powder in the tents.

Extras payment

Imported drinks and tips/gratuities can be billed to the tent number and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$) and travellers' cheques.

Flying times

To/from Maun - 50 min

Air strip details

Jack's Camp is a 20 min drive from Tsigaro airstrip
Air strip co-ordinates: S20.29'50, E025.11'05
Airstrip services Jack's Camp and Jack's Camp.

Electricity

No electricity at the camp at all, except for the 220v generator powered electricity run in kitchen and main areas when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off (for peace in camp). Batteries can be charged. Paraffin lamps used for lighting.

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Makgadigadi Pans

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