Greater Kalahari
Jack's Private Camp
A true desert safari icon; An oasis of sophistication and vintage charm. Jack's Private Camp stands as a beacon of elegance and allure, surpassing expectations within such a remote and wild landscape. The brand new Jack’s Private Camp offers astounding views of the glistening salt flats and expansive sun-drenched terrain, framed by mokolwane palm trees. Minimizing its environmental impact, the camp is more in tune with nature – particularly the journey of the sun during the day and the prevailing cooling winds. A deep commitment to conservation is matched by our devotion to providing our guests with the most unique and extraordinary desert safari experience on the continent.
The color palette at Jack's Camp is inspired by desert life, the environment, the local people, and their surroundings. Each tent is a vibrant showcase of rich colors, thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the environment. The interiors feature a tapestry of crushed velvets, textiles, artifacts, and mahogany furniture. Many of the fabrics have been personally sourced by Ralph during his numerous expeditions and travels.
Meet the habituated meerkats. Walks with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen. Game drives and night drives. In the Green season guests can witness the zebra and wildebeest migration. Special excursions by air to see flamingo.
An exciting part of the new look and feel at Jack’s now includes a move away from paraffin lamps to large antique and highly decorative Middle Eastern or Mamluk style lanterns that once hung in mosques. Most have been restored and repaired and these chandeliers are now a prominent feature in the mess tents, helping to create an other-worldly ambiance in camp at night. This adds to the Jack’s classic Africa safari experience, together with the Persian rugs, brass fittings and mahogany campaign furniture, bringing an oasis of style and old-world glamour. More space and larger rooms means the coolness of the rooms can be maintained during the day.
Jack's Safari diaries
“Jack’s has always been a place of adventure and style, somewhere unconventional where the natural world surprises and delights. The new Jack’s has built on this legacy. Local artisans were used rather than local artists – and everything was redesigned in and around camp. That’s how things at Jack’s have been done for generations. In a way it brings everyone and everything together. Artifacts and fabrics were repurposed, furniture was reshaped, even the linen was made by local community members. All the tented structures have been redesigned with a purpose and it’s our challenging environment that dictates this. We’ve used innovative new design features to offer more comfort for guests to fully explore this desert space.” - Ralph Bousfield, Camp Owner
Field Notes
Anthropology
A glimpse into ancient Africa. Spend time with Meerkats. Trek to see historical baobabs along the salt pans. Walk with our San Bushmen trackers and watch the children learn hunting skills. Accompany the women as they gather herbs and medicinal plants. Experience the magic of the healing trance.
Jack's Private Camp
Safari Film
Jack's Private Camp
Off the grid
Tucked remotely within the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans and the rugged Kalahari Desert.
Jack's Camp is steeped in history with a narrative spanning five generations of the Bousfield family showcasing numerous original antiques, including paintings, drawings and maps - some of which date back to 1660. These historical artifacts enrich the camp's authentic and storied ambiance. Jack's Private Camp features two master suites with an open lounge, chef's kitchen and dining space. A spacious private veranda furnished with daybeds and a large swimming pool offers stunning views of the Makgadikgadi Pans; keep a look out for sightings of wildlife, while breathing in the beautiful scenery, alongside the desert silence.
Jack's Private Camp
Safari
Jack's Private Camp is a sprawling two-bedroom villa. Each of the two suites is equipped with its own en-suite bathroom, private veranda with day bed. The master suite offers an extra-length king-size bed. The second bedroom features two extra-length king-size beds for families. Both suites are fitted with over-bed cooling systems and mosquito nets. The en-suite bathrooms boast dual indoor showers, a brass bathtub, and an outdoor shower. The main lounge has a safari library with a well-stocked bar and the famous 'Cabinet of Curiosities'. The entire camp at Jack's is cool and spacious, exuding a classic East African safari ambiance.
GUIDED SAFARIS®
A surreal landscape defined by vast open spaces, remoteness, and otherworldly vistas, interspersed with unique desert wildlife. The Makgadikgadi Pan is remnant of an enormous super lake that once covered most of Southern Africa. Jack's Camp epitomizes safari elegance and adventure in the Kalahari. Our new private camp offers unparalleled exclusivity and flexibility, providing a tailored experience for families and groups of friends. Your Guided Safaris® luxury journey at Jack's Private Camp includes a Private Guide and exclusive vehicle, dedicated chef and camp hosts to look after you. Prepped by your personal chef, enjoy exclusive dining and hosting at the Private Camp, or get a bush picnic set up on the pans.
Jack's Private Camp
The coolest
An oasis of style and old-world glamor in a landscape of savage beauty and more elegant and enchanting than you could imagine in such a remote setting. Feel total freedom as you trek across this vast and ancient desert, discovering so much about the remnants of this once super lake. Enjoy an authentic meeting with the San bushmen, catch up with the antics of the Meerkats, go on game drives with your Private Guide to spot Kalahari Lions and desert adapted species that are hard to seek anywhere else, like the Brown Hyena, Aardvark, Honey Badger, Bat Eared fox and more. In the green season, embark on a helicopter flight to see flocks of flamingo and track the southern segment of the Wildebeest migration.
