Jack's Camp: Our full report

Jack's Camp is beautifully constructed in a very classical safari style. It has ten spacious, walk-in tents, each with en-suite private showers (indoor and out), washbasin and flush toilet, and lots of style and thoughtful touches. These tents are spread out on an island of palm trees, with a dining tent and a Persian-style 'tea tent', which comes complete with a small library of books, some fascinating local artefacts, comfy cushions and rugs.

Because big game on this side of the Makgadikgadi National Park is scarce for most of the year, the activities from Jack's Camp are unique. They aim to give you an understanding of the area's geology, archaeology and anthropology, as well as a chance to observe its wildlife. Expect nature drives and walks (some guided by Bushmen trackers), night drives, and visits to sites of archaeological interest. When the season permits, 4WD quad bikes can be used to venture from jack's Camp onto the saltpan without damaging its fragile crust. (We recommend that if you visit Jack's, then you stay for three nights; two nights here is too short.)

With an abundance of caution, we feel that it's important to let prospective visitors know that no safety helmets are provided for the quad-bike activity at Jacks Camp. This camp, and its sister camps, advise us that they have been regularly operating quad-bikes in this area since 1992, and at time of writing (Aug 2012) there has never been a serious accident here. The camp comments that they regard this activity to be safe even without helmets, especially as they generally keep to specific tracks and don't speed, and as the area is largely flat and free of other traffic. We're not aware of any of our travellers having any problems over the years, and all of our team members who have visited there have enjoyed quad-biking activities without any problems or concerns.

However, it is for each prospective guest to make up their own mind about the safety of quad-biking here without a helmet. If you aren't likely to be happy with the safety aspects of this activity, then please tell us in writing before you travel. With advanced notice, we can arrange for the camp to drive you across the pans in a vehicle instead. If you leave this decision until you're at camp, and then decide that you don't want to do this activity, then such alternative arrangements may not be possible – although, of course, you can always omit this activity, and relax around the camp and swimming pool instead. (Sadly, refunds aren't possible if you choose to miss activities like this at camp.)

In recent years, researchers have been studying a den of brown hyena and also a family of meerkats in the area of Jack's Camp. Both have become habituated to human observers, which allows for some exceptionally close and relaxed sightings of both species.

Geographics

Location: Kalahari's Salt Pans, Botswana

Key personnel

Owner: Independent / Owner Run

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk

Extras

Disabled access: On Request