San Camp

San Camp on the Madgadigadi Salt pans is a unique experience. The camp itself is beautifully appointed with Moroccan rugs and a very welcoming feeling. White tents to signify an oasis in the middle of nowhere. Amazing food options which were expertly prepared by their in-house chefs. Everything we were presented with was great quality and delicious. The Camp has an itinerary for the three nights we stayed we enjoyed the salt pans, the cold mornings & evenings safaris. The highlight for me was the meerkat experience which only lasted for about 45 to an hour you have the opportunity to get very very close and if you’re lucky enough one will scamper on top of you to get a good vantage point, as the sun set we followed the meerkats back to their home for the night. We stayed in June and coming from the delta felt it was a little light on animal encounters however we still had encounters with cheetahs, elephants, black maned lion, impalas … we enjoyed our experience due to a varied itinerary. Tents are beautiful a real treat. Loved going to sleep to the sounds of wildebeest snorts and lion roars!

Ker & Downy set an extremely high bar with Kanana and Shinde, and we recognize not everyone has such high standards. However, we left San Camp feeling like we were not given the experience we’d hoped for. The guide/team at San Camp seemed surprised by our two night stay, and had difficulty communicating the agenda to set our expectations. Sadly, we had to crush the two activities we were most looking forward to (Meerkats and Bushmen walk) into the siesta time of our second day. This was done only after they first attempted to deny us both experiences and we were forced to insist. We were left wanting more time with both groups. We stated this, but were not accommodated. That day we were not offered high tea, unlike other guests who were presented with a picnic when they also did activities during siesta. The agenda changed several times while we were there, with no explanation. Most alarming for us is that we were given neither options for the agenda, nor clarity on the agenda which the staff insisted was set. Bizarrely, certain activities were kept secret, like the sleep out. We were actively misled, despite asking the front of house staff directly after sensing we weren’t being told the full agenda. As a result, we had to drive back to camp and get my glasses since I cannot sleep in my contacts, which interrupted the night and took at least an hour. We understand cultural differences may be at play here, but the paternalistic nature with which we were repeatedly treated left us disgruntled. We expressed all of this to our guide who in turn said that we stated we liked “surprises” when we got to camp - so that we should not have “lied”. She then went on to say they don’t like to tell guests due the weather dependent nature of the activity, but of course we’re all adults who understand the fickle nature of weather. The general staff demeanor shifted after these complaints, but the general manager made no attempt to discuss our concerns. I use this as one representative example of the substandard service we experienced at San Camp. The staff repeatedly offered excuses along the lines of scheduling conflicts, but ultimately we found these operational deficiencies unacceptable given their main selling points are the experiences. Moreover, it seemed even if the weather was not appropriate the activity had to go on, as they seemingly were unable to pivot. We were forced to endure an unbearably cold 3 hour morning drive to have a “picnic breakfast” (no food was offered before this) in the nearby National Park. The entire group was cold and starving by the time our guide saw fit to stop. On the way back, our guide promptly got lost in the park and we had to rush back to camp so we would not entirely lose the chance to see the Meerkats and Bushmen. We were unable to see the promised Balboa tree, which was supposedly the main attraction of the morning drive. For such a huge capital outlay this was a very poor experience, especially coming off of other camps who were able to pull off perfect experiences/planning. I would not roll the dice on this one and see if there are other options in the area.

We were at San Camp for 3 nights during August - I was not really sure what to expect, but we enjoyed every moment. To get the best experience I would suggest staying 3 nights. The days are structured so you can enjoy each of the activities but also have time to rest in between. The game drives are supplemented with a variety of other activities which is great.... meerkats, bushmen and quad bikes on the pans are all highly recommended !! (PS if your guide says take an extra layer, then you will definitely need it)|The staff were exceptional - so very accommodating ... thank you to CD, Valentina, Gordon, Ali and the whole team for all the laughs, for sharing your experiences and for anticipating our every need. Most especially Prince who went out of his way to make our stay so special and so fun!|We have strict dietary requirements so it was great to be able to speak to the chef every day and choose our meals - we were very well looked after! You will not go hungry - your meals are supplemented by a full afternoon tea ...|We didn't have any problems with wifi - we stayed in tents 1&2... I did need to do a few work calls which I did poolside so I had no issues at all.|The tents are huge and very comfortable ... hot water bottles were a welcome treat at night when it can get chilly and windy. The camp is fully solar so it's best to time your shower accordingly... I especially liked the focus on conservation... some very thoughtful touches eg collecting the water from the shower whilst it heats up... |Thank you to everyone who played a part in planning those small surprises and creating special memories...

We stayed at San Camp in May 2024. We've been to a few different Safari camps and can safely say that San Camp is the most picturesque of them all. Friendly and attentive staff and great food. Would highly recommend making this your home based as you explore the Salt pans.

This camp is at the edge of a beautiful, isolated part of Botswana. The area has little water, yet still has wildebeest herds, ostriches, bull elephants, zebras, jackals and some shy and unusual animals. Visiting meerkats, walking with the San people, horseback riding across the pan and sleeping out under the stars were highlights of our stay. The tented cabins were beautifully appointed, the food was good and our guide, Glynn, was fantastic. I will note that other reviews have complained about the "surprise" night in the desert. Yes, it was a bit inconvenient, but the 3 separate couples in our group embraced the challenge and had a truly exceptional experience. There is a soft silence on the salt pan that is all encompassing and very peaceful.

We booked a year and a half in advance, but were short changed on the experiences due to “scheduling conflicts”. Save your money for a more professional outfit.

San camp was our 2nd stop in Botswana, after our stay in the Delta. The camp really is unique and special. Ali our guide was excellent and so knowledgable and made our experience something we will never forget. We loved the ATVs, the surprises😘 and wow the meerkat experience. Thanks also to Theoooo 😂, Goms who didn’t smiling and all the other staff. It was very cold in the morning and evening and then baking hot from 11am ish to 4pm. Pack well - we didn’t! |If you want good phone service don’t stay here!

We visited San Camp in late April 2023 with a group of eight travelers. We spent three nights and I cannot say enough good things about this camp. The scenery/geology of this area is truly unique and beautiful. It is a bit off the beaten path and on the pricey side but well worth the time and expense. The wildlife viewing was excellent with large herds of blue wildebeest and zebras plus some nice bonuses like baby brown hyenas, bat-eared foxes, an aardvark, and lots of beautiful birds. Our guides, Booster and Ali, were among the very best guides I've had and this was about my 25th wildlife safari to Africa. The accommodations were very nice and the staff could not have been more helpful and attentive. We had some people with special dietary needs and they paid close attention to those needs while still serving very good meals. They offer a wonderful array of activities beyond the basic wildlife drives and if you go, be sure to include a visit to see the San people and ask to do the "meerkat experience."