Jacks Camp is a classic desert safari camp accommodating 20 guests in ten large walk-in tents
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About Jacks Camp
Jacks Camp is in a perfect location to experience and explore the
Kalahari and Makgadigadi National Park. Jack's Camp offers permanent camp
facilities and endless vistas of rolling golden grasslands and palm lined
desert. A visit to the area is essential for anyone interested in evolution and
the origins and explanation of the Okavango Delta and Botswana's big picture. It
is a complete desert experience focusing on species unique to the area such as
Gemsbok, Brown Hyena and Springbok, as well as geology, archaeology and
anthropology of the Kalahari and Makgadgadi Pans.
Makgadigadi National Park
The Makgadigadi is one of the most important wetland sites remaining in
Africa. In the wet season, the Makgadigadi Pans fill with water which attracts
huge flocks of Flamingos and other wading birds. The area is also the only place
in Southern Africa where one is often able to see migration herds of tens of
thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra, followed by predators. Although the
migrations do occur in other areas of Botswana, the tree cover prohibits a view
of the magnitude that you are able to see at Jack's camp because of the exposed
nature of the surrounding grassland.
The Makgadigadi is one of the most important wetland sites remaining in
Africa. In the wet season, the Makgadigadi Pans fill with water which attracts
huge flocks of Flamingos and other wading birds. The area is also the only place
in Southern Africa where one is often able to see migration herds of tens of
thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra, followed by predators. Although the
migrations do occur in other areas of Botswana, the tree cover prohibits a view
of the magnitude that you are able to see at Jack's camp because of the exposed
nature of the surrounding grassland.
Jacks Camp
Jack's Camp was originally established in the 60's by Ralph's father, the
late Jack Bousfield, who lived there for many years. The camp has been
completely refurbished in a traditional East African 40's safari style.
Authentic, but comfortable and stylish, including thoughtful details. These
provide roomy, classic styled tents with private bucket showers and flush loos,
set into a palm grove creating an oasis of civilisation in what can be the
harshest of stark environments. 2005 update - There is to be a plunge pool built
and each room will have a fan - both additions making summers easier to bear!
Many of the guides at Jack's Camp are qualified Zoologists/Geologists, often
working on PhD research. As such, they are most able to convey all the nuances
of the desert and the adaptations of its inhabitants which are considered to be
the most interesting features of the environment. The Makgadigadi is a relic of
one of the world's largest lakes which dried up thousands of years ago as a
result of the continued shifting of the earth's crust. When the Pans are dry, to
travel where conventional vehicles cannot, and to guard against scarring the
Pan's crust, four wheeler quad bikes are used. Venturing far into the middle of
the Pans, you are able to explore remote archaeological sites, periodically
discovering sites never before documented such as fossil beds of extinct giant
zebra and hippo. Extra: For groups of four or more, five night safaris are
arranged with fly-camping by quad-bike to Kubu Island. A fascinating granite
island studded with Baobabs erupting from the pan floor, inhabited by San salt
miners until as recently as the 1950's. Theories of how and when this vast
geographical phenomenon was formed, vary. As some of the mysteries are
unravelled and provide the sophisticated traveller a first class traditional
safari, let your interpretation be the judge of this.