The Camp

Location: Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana
Number of rooms: 9

Nxai Pan Camp's nine tents face a waterhole, with the main area being the central best place for game viewing in camp. Frequent visitors to the waterhole include elephants, cheetah, and migratory herds of zebra typically from late December to early April, however this is entirely dependent on the summer rainfall in Botswana, which affects the migratory cycle. The minimalistic whitewashed design of the camp is in keeping with the surrounding white salt pans. Nxai Pan accommodates a maximum of 18 guests in thatched units specially designed to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year, when seasonal temperatures can fluctuate from below freezing to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The main areas of the camp include an expansive open-air lounge and dining area, with a bar, pool and curio shop. Nxai Pan is a 100% solar-operated camp.

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Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion
• Room fan
• 220v charging outlets in room
• In-room safe
• Central swimming pool
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• No air conditioning, hair dryer, telephone, Internet or cellular coverage

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Nxai Pan is located on the western edge of the fossil pan from which the camp takes its name. The camp faces east over the open grasslands of the pans. The biggest draw to Nxai Pan National Park are the zebras that migrate by the thousands to the area in the green season. Day trips to Baines’ Baobabs are highly popular, and include a picnic lunch at the site. These age-old trees were immortalized in paintings by the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines in 1862. If you were to compare Baines’ paintings to the scene today, you would find that after 150 years, the trees are nearly identical, a testament to the age of these magnificent giants. Another classic activity at Nxai Pan is a walk with one of the San bushmen trackers, an informative walk that takes place within the camp’s footprint. Learn about how the San used to live nomadically: how they used to hunt, gather food, water sources, and which plants were used for medicinal purposes. Their wealth of true bush knowledge is unparalleled, and one of guests’ favorite experiences at this desert camp.

Antelope tend to migrate into the central and eastern Kalahari deserts following water and grasses between December and April, often followed by predators. During the driest months from June to October, the landscape hosts fewer large mammals but the most commonly viewed animals at this time may be gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest and steenbok and a number of other small mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements.

Climate