Kalahari Plains Camp

Kalahari Plains Camp sits on the edge of an enormous pan, south-east of Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which offers some of Botswana’s best summer game viewing. It is one of just two camps in a reserve approximately the size of Switzerland, and the views from across the pan are immense. The camp was moved here from its original location to take it away from the more accessible public roads in the reserve.

There is a waterhole a fair distance away, but with the help of the viewing scope in the main area, you can take a closer look at its visitors.

The main area of Kalahari Plains Camp is a thatched, wooden building, built on a raised deck and open on three sides to allow the air to flow freely. At one end is the dining area, with views out to the separate pool deck and the pan. The small saltwater pool here offers welcome relief from the Kalahari heat, and the shaded deck with comfortable sunloungers some respite from the sun.

A large proportion of the main area is taken up by an inviting lounge area, a nice collection of comfortable chairs, tea- and coffee-making facilities with freshly baked biscuits in a jar, and a small reference library. At the heart of the building, the bar is the venue for pre-dinner drinks, and for some evening entertainment and dancing by the camp staff. The curio shop is well stocked and we liked the fact that they sell a good selection of locally made items. There is a stargazing deck on the roof above the bar, and an open campfire area in front where dinner is usually served if the weather allows. Unlike most camps in Botswana the fire is not lit every night due to the scarcity of wood here.

Accommodation at Kalahari Plains Camp is in ten tented chalets, linked to the main area by sandy pathways. These chalets are of a good size, built on wooden decks raised off the ground to keep them cool in the very hot summer months. The innovative insulated canvas walls and roof of each tent, together with a ceiling fan and large mesh windows, also help to keep the interior relatively cool. We loved the airy feel that these large windows give to the chalets, but were pleased to see roll-down canvas and clear plastic blinds in case of inclement weather.

One of the coolest features of each chalet at Kalahari Plains is the sleep-out deck, accessed up wooden steps from the bottom deck. A bed can be made up here for one to sleep under the stars, but if one gets a little nervous or chilly during the night, you can quite easily pop back downstairs into the comfort of your bed inside.

Two of the tented chalets have a second en-suite bedroom sleeping up to two children, so are ideal for families, or friends travelling together. The main bedroom offers exactly the same facilities as the standard chalets, whereas the second bedroom, while en suite, doesn’t have a veranda or the sleep-out deck.

*For a full list of available activities, the best time of the year to visit, and any other relevant enquiries, please contact a Sister Hippo Travel Consultant!