San Camp
San Camp is an elegant, minimalist sanctuary nestled on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. With only seven pristine white tents, this camp offers an intimate and romantic escape far from the bustle of typical safari lodges. The vast, shimmering salt flats stretch endlessly around you, creating a magical and otherworldly backdrop where the sky meets the earth.
San Camp’s design celebrates timeless 1940s safari style with enormous four-poster beds, Persian rugs, mahogany furniture, and feather-soft linens, perfectly blending luxury with rugged desert charm. San Camp runs on solar power and offers eco-friendly comforts, including private verandas and en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers.
Guests enjoy an array of unique experiences, from guided game drives and night drives to close encounters with habituated meerkats. Engage with the local Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on cultural walks or explore the pans by quad bike or horseback for an unforgettable connection with this stark, captivating landscape. Evenings are perfect for stargazing under a vast planetarium of desert stars or unwinding in the yoga and meditation pavilion.
Open seasonally from April to October, San Camp offers the rare chance to immerse yourself in a truly remote, ethereal wilderness that changes subtly as the dry season progresses, making every visit unique.
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Wildlife
- Large herds of elephant and buffalo, particularly in the dry season.
- Strong predator presence including lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and spotted hyena.
- Seasonal zebra migrations attract increased predator activity.
- Plains game such as red lechwe, sable, roan, kudu, and tsessebe.
- Aquatic species including sitatunga and hippos in permanent channels.
- Birdlife exceeding 350 species, including Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmer, wattled crane, and various kingfishers and raptors.
- High density of wildlife due to permanent water sources and diverse habitats.
Game Drives
- Daily guided drives in custom-built 4×4 vehicles provide access to vast areas of the pans and surrounding desert.
- Focus on spotting desert-adapted wildlife and tracking elusive species like brown hyena and aardwolves.
- Opportunity to see large migrating herds of zebra and wildebeest seasonally.
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Night drives available for nocturnal wildlife viewing.
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Guides share expert knowledge of desert ecology and local history.
Activities & Facilities
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Meerkat encounters
- Guided quad biking
- Horseback riding safaris
- Bushman walks
- Helicopter flights
- Flamingo and zebra migrations (seasonal)
- Star gazing
- Swimming pool
- Spa treatments
- Communal dining
- Library
Highlights
- Classic white tents with 360° views over the shimmering Nwetwe Pan.
- Minimalist yet elegant 1940s safari style interiors with luxurious comforts.
- Cultural walks with the local Zu/’hoasi Bushmen sharing traditional survival and tracking skills.
- Eco-friendly camp operating entirely on solar power, with a focus on sustainability.
- Seasonal operation from mid-April to mid-October when the pans are accessible and dry.
- Exclusive, intimate experience with just seven tents set in a 400,000-hectare concession.
Location
- San Camp is located on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana.
- Part of a 400,000-hectare private concession adjoining Makgadikgadi National Park.
Getting There
- The best way to get to San Camp is to fly from Johannesburg to Maun, followed by a flight via light aircraft to the Tsigaro Airstrip.
- Flight time from Johannesburg to Maun: 1 hour 50 minutes.
- Flight time from Maun to Tsigaro Airstrip: 30-40 minutes.
- Overland transfers from Maun to San are available and take 3-4 hours.
- Inter-camp air transfer options are also available.
Special Offers
- Long stay discounts apply when staying at one or a combination of Natural Selection camps.
- 5 – 6 nights: 10% off for stays in Low season & Mid season 1.
- 5 – 6 nights: 5% off for stays in Mid season 2, High & Peak season.
- 8 nights: 15% off for stays in Low season & Mid season 1.
- 8 nights: 10% off for stays in Mid season 2 & High season.
- 8 nights: 5% off for stays in Peak season.
Child Policy
- San Camp welcomes children of all ages.
- Children 6-16 years are charged 50% of the sharing adult rate when sharing with an adult.
- Families are accommodated in the family tent or with extra arrangements in standard tents.
- Activities are tailored to suit family groups and safety considerations.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Included: Daily activities, all meals, beverages, laundry, airstrip transfers and park entry fees.
- Excluded: Premium brand drinks and anything of personal nature.
Rates
- The updated rates are displayed for each room category below.
- Rates are charged per person, per night.
- Single supplement of 40% applicable.
- There is no single supplement from 10 January – 31 March & 01 October – 19 December.
- Rates displayed are valid until 09 January 2027.
Seasons
- Peak season: 01 July – 31 August
- High season: 01 – 30 June & 01 – 30 September, & 20 December – 09 January
- Mid season 2: 31 May & 1 – 31 October
- Mid season 1: 01 – 30 April & 01 November – 19 December
- Low season: Closed
Your Safari, Expertly Curated
Our dedicated travel specialists craft seamless, tailor-made journeys – every detail designed around you.
Tent
Two double are four twin tents have private verandas with outside seating and en-suite bathrooms with indoor showers. Read more Designed in classic safari style, they provide comfortable accommodation for friends or family members traveling together. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 2,595per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 2,395per person per night |
| Mid Season 2 | $ 2,195per person per night |
| Mid Season 1 | $ 1,995per person per night |
Family Tent
The family tent consists of two interleading tents connected by a walkway. The parents’ tent includes a king-size Read more bed, while the children’s tent has two queen-size beds. Both tents offer private bathrooms and verandas, providing space and privacy for families traveling with children. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 2,595per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 2,395per person per night |
| Mid Season 2 | $ 2,195per person per night |
| Mid Season 1 | $ 1,995per person per night |
