Highlights
- Total isolation
- Bushmen guides
- Rare game
- Family friendly
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireIf you have ever looked up into a clear blue sky and been struck by a serene sense of the sublime in its encompassing emptiness, then you will want to experience San Camp. Located on the brink of the endless vistas of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the stylistically minimalist Camp is characterised by its neo-colonial white tents, its family-friendly feel, and by its peacefulness.
San Camp is the personification of elegance in simplicity. Plated food served in the large mess tent mirrors the camp's unadorned surroundings. The Camp is comfortable, clean, and calm. The purpose? To clear the mind. Helping facilitate this are the spacious tents looking out across the vast expanse of the Salt Pans, the cool cotton bed sheets and feather bedding, and, of course, the tea and yoga pavilions, which are designed in every way to accommodate guests that like to relax.
Run mostly on solar energy, with no more than lamps for light and each other for warmth, guests are immersed in a by-gone colonial age. The Camp’s time-travel experience is complimented by its expeditious activities: trips into the heart of the Makgadikgadi on quad bikes, morning walks, and game drives, are led by guides who work alongside small groups of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen to make for an insightful journey. Of course, going back to basics is not for everyone: the Camp has limited electricity and water, and often the only sounds you hear are nearby footsteps or far-off rustles from animals enjoying the Salt Pan.
What the Camp lacks in big game-seeking opportunities, it makes up for with the fact that guests are able to see and be close to habituated meerkats and rare brown hyenas, which are the focus of a project in the San Camp area to protect the vulnerable species. This provides guests with a great opportunity to observe vital conservation efforts first-hand.
San Camp is part of the renowned Unchartered Africa portfolio of remote camps along with Camp Kalahari and Jack's Camp. Like its sister camps, San Camp is very accommodating towards families. Children of all ages are welcome although families with under8s will need to take a private vehicle and guide at extra cost. Children are able to do all the activities, such as quad-biking and visiting the Camp’s natural history museum. However, those under 12 years of age will have to share a quad bike with an adult driver whilst children 12 years and older are allowed to drive a quad bike but only at the Guide / Camp Manager discretion. Children using the swimming pool must be accompanied by an adult. There are no family tents, a family of three can share one tent with a bed roll for the child, whilst a family of four will have to split across two tents with one parent in each tent.
San Camp's uniqueness comes from its remoteness. It feels exclusive because only 12 guests are accommodated at any one time. San Camp’s intimacy comes from its relative emptiness, and thus it stands as a fantastic attraction for couples and families that want to simply get away from it all.
We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!
The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.
I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.
The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.
All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).
From my seven-year-old son:
I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.
In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.
Henry O
reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains
on 05 June 2025
We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.
Emma M
reviewing Best of Botswana for Families
on 18 November 2024
We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.Will be a trip we remember forever
Maritta B
reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value
on 11 November 2024