6 Days | 5 Nights – Jack’s Camp, Lost Island of Baobabs, Kubu Island back to Jack’s Camp
Botswana’s Makgadikgadi is one of the most intriguing places on earth, and it is here that you will get to immerse yourself in nature and connect with your wild side. This 6-day safari expedition in the Kalahari Desert has everything to do with sharing wild safari experiences and seeking adventure in an incredible setting. You’ll enjoy the freedom of the desert air blowing in your hair, sundowners sipped on the salt crusted flats, dinner under giant baobab delights and a blanket of stars to fall asleep under at night. With your safari guide, you’ll navigate the wilderness of the Makgadikgadi Pans, unearthing things great and small as you crack open the desert crust to discover real safari adventure.
Your first two nights will be spent at the legendary Jack’s Camp, adorned with a classic East African safari feel. One of the most original and exciting camps in Africa, it sits in a striking spot on the edge of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans. Here the safari experience is unique, and the living desert is constantly full of surprises. At first sight, the lunar-like salt pans appear devoid of life, but in the hands of the of the knowledgeable camp guides the story of the Makgadikgadi begins to unfold.
Throughout your stay you will find an impressive choice of extraordinary activities and desert culture experiences to enjoy in and around camp. From interacting with the habituated meerkats, going on guided walks or game drives, quad biking out into the remnants of the super lake, hunting for stone tools in the crusty salt flats or seeing the world through the eyes of the San Bushmen – this is where unreal style, meets real adventure.
Open throttle, close your eyes & travel… there is nothing to crash into! After an early breakfast, wrap a kikoi around your head in the style of Jack Bousfield and set off on the quad bikes across Ntwetwe Pan for The Lost Island of Baobabs, your campsite for the next two nights. The journey to and from the heart of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is a heroic adventure crossing roughly 450 kilometres of salt crusted earth. In convoy, you will barrel across the vast lunar expanses of scorched white earth. As the day heats up, you will break the journey for a picnic lunch.
Here on the pan you will lose contact with time, space and direction. As the sun begins to drop, arrive at The Lost Island of Baobabs, where the support team has set up camp. Your bedrolls replete with hot water bottles and duvets have been arranged in your five gazillion star bedroom.
Wake up to an early breakfast then head off for Kubu Island. This is what you have come to see. A granite extrusion island studded with baobabs, one of the most graphically beautiful spots in Botswana and rich with intriguing detail, such as walling, trade and Bushmen beads brought here to barter in pursuit of the salt that ices the surrounding pans. Filigreed with baobab trees like fat, red ballet dancers bigger than buses, older than Christ.
The place has been the holiest secret of the Kalahari Bushmen for longer than anyone knows, a place of power and ritual. Not far away is an ancient defence fortification that was only discovered a couple of years ago. Clamber to the top for an awe-inspiring view of the enormous Sowa pan, and a picnic lunch amongst the boulders and baobabs of Kubu Island. This is an adventure of old. Settle in and enjoy your night relaxing and sleeping under the stars.
Quad bike back to the comfort of Jack’s (and the swimming pool!) for one last night.
This safari starts and ends in Maun in Botswana. One of the best times to visit the Makgadikgadi Pans is during the dry season. During this time, the pans are dried up and you can easily access them for activities like, game viewing, and stargazing. The Kubu Island expedition can be done from June to October. Even in this relatively predictable dry season (although the weather in the pans is never entirely predictable), each Kubu Expedition is unique and the route you’ll take across the lunar-like earth is never quite the same. In fact, an expedition can cover anything from 400 – 600 kilometers!
2025: Price Per Person
From $17,743 pp (Sept & Oct) to $19,545 pp (Jun-Aug)
Groups of 2 – 3 guests will be charged a surcharge per person per night for the 2-night fly camping on the Lost Island of Baobabs (Kubu). Quotation on request.
Child Policy: All ages welcome at parental discretion! Please enquire for more information on our child rates and policies.
Disabled Access: Please enquire with reservations.
Wi-Fi: Is not available for the duration of this trip.
Excluded: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.
Be inspired by our other suggested safari packages below and remember, all our packages are totally flexible and can be adjusted to suit you.
