Jacks Camp 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.

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.

Jacks 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.

Jacks Camp 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.