Boteti River Camp

Boteti River Camp is set on the Western edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, and is close to the Boteti River itself, which is a vital waterway for the area. The origin of the River is from the overflow of the Okavango Delta, whose eastern-most border is some 200 kilometres away.

One of the only remaining natural water sources for hundreds of kilometres south and east of the Delta, particularly in the dry season. The River is a lifesaver for an entire ecosystem attracting an exceptional wildlife density from the pans and the Central Kalahari Desert as soon as these regions run out of water (a seasonal occurrence).

Boteti River Camp provides an excellent base from which to explore the picturesque region while offering comfortable accommodation, lively and warm hosting, wholesome meals, and a delightful viewpoint over the surrounding wilderness. It is also a neighbour of Khumaga Village.

Accommodation at the Camp is in simple, yet very comfortable, chalets. There are 8 units (5 standard and 3 family). The family units can accommodation 2 adults and 2 children (in a bunk bed). All of the accommodation is en suite (outdoor shower and toilet and air-conditioned. In addition there is a small desk, tea/coffee making facilities, and mosquito nets.

The main area at Boteti houses the dining area, lounge and bar. Meals are very much home style, and tasty.

You can enjoy the use of a swimming pool and deck, along with a viewing area above the lounge. You can comfortably decide to spend most of your time sipping a drink while observing the surroundings perched on the viewing deck. However, there is a lot to experience and enjoy in the area.

Join the experienced guides, and go out on half-day game drives in the Makgadikgadi and full day drives in Nxai Pan. In addition, there are Village Walks, which allow you to get to know the community.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are a vast expanse of some 12 000 square kilometres - during the heat of the late winter day, the pans become a shimmering mirage. In September large herds of antelope, zebra and wildebeest roam the dusty plains awaiting the first rains. Although these rains are short-lived, in December another deluge turns the edges of the vast pans into fringes of grassland where the plains game converge.

Flocks of birds arrive to build their nests along the shoreline of the Nata River, in Sua Pan and feed on algae and crustaceans that have been lying dormant in the salt and sand awaiting the drenching rains – making a particularly attract spot for Flamingo.

Nxai Pan National Park, in contrast, is set on the northern fringe of the Makgadikgadi basin - and consists mainly of a series of fossil pans, all of which are covered in short nutritious grasses. Nxai Pan consists mainly of rich, clayey soils and very thick sand dunes on the periphery of the pan. This makes for beautiful scenery and is unique to the area. The short, sweet grasses on the pans provide excellent grazing, particularly for the springbok, which is almost always abundant in this area.

The area is also the breeding ground for large herds of zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, and eland. Unusual game species that can be seen here are the hartebeest, bat-eared fox, brown hyena, and cheetah. Note that the game viewing can be rather unpredictable in Nxai Pan, especially during the dry season.