Natural Selection

The laidback little sister of Jack’s and San Camp, Camp Kalahari is our understated and affordable base in the heart of the great Kalahari. Set amongst the waving palms and acacia trees of Brown Hyena Island, the 12 funky Meru tents are perfect for families, groups and couples, and are an ideal base for discovering the charms of the desert and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a landscape that’s as surreal as it is sublime, and as mysterious as it is magical.

And if you’re looking for adventure, then look no further! We’ve got quad bike adventures, across the otherworldly salt pans, walks with the Zu’/hoasi bushmen to discover the amazing creatures that somehow manage to survive (and thrive) in this harsh environment, and our very own ‘’Kalahari cool cats,’’ the habituated meerkat family who like nothing more than to use unsuspecting guests as lookout points. Come for a day, and you’ll be wowed by the landscape and the people; stay for a few days and you might never want to leave…

After several decades of setting the standard in the Kalahari,  Jack’s Camp underwent a full rebuild and reopened in 2021.

The brand-new Jack’s Camp pays homage to the property’s enduring and much-loved 1940s campaign style. The guest tents, seven twins and two doubles, are much larger and each is 270 square metres in size. The iconic interiors remain and are embellished with rich textiles from around the world, Natural History Museum cabinets, and an overhead bed cooling system. Ensuite bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor showers and outside, each veranda has a private plunge pool.

The new, larger mess tent is resplendent with the renowned Natural History Museum, library, antique pool table and a well-stocked drinks chest. The iconic nomadic Persian tea tent has been made larger and the shop has been renovated and restocked with new treasures.

The safari never stops at Meno a Kwena, a hidden gem of a camp perched on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River in Botswana. With a glittering roster of activities, including day trips to the Makgadikgadi Pans, guided walks with the San bushmen, and wildlife-watching boat trips, there’s plenty to get your teeth into. But sometimes, the best game viewing is where you least expect it, and at Meno, it’s right in front you. From their lofty position, the ten tents look down on a menagerie of animals at the water below, from herds of majestic elephant, to dazzles of nomadic zebra – all you need to do is sit back, and take it all in.

At just 90 minutes by road from Maun, Meno is a good option if you’re travelling as a group, or with little ones (or even big ones!). The camp was originally used by Southern Africa’s legendary explorers, and although we’ve added a few little touches here, and some little quirks there, it’s refreshingly and stylishly simple. And actually, the real treat at Meno is the connection with nature; when an elephant provides your alarm call in the morning, and you can game view straight from your private veranda, nothing else really matters.

Follow the road pointed out by the giant anteater and you’ll discover the intriguingly named Planet Baobab… This is the Baobab Capital of the World, where the average age of each tree is more than 4000 years, and the boundless lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the size of Switzerland. How’s that for awe-inspiring?

This is a quirky place in a quirky part of the world, where we live cheek to tusk with old elephants; sleep in basic but oh so Afro-chic Bakalanga Huts; swim in the largest, coolest pool in the Kalahari; eat the finest pan-African cuisine, and of course, drink something cold with hunters and vagabonds, travellers and locals in the funkiest bar in Africa. It’s the coolest desert oasis around – and a part of Africa that few will experience, but all will remember.

In the middle of northern Namibia’s arid, captivating savannah, bordering the world-famous Etosha National Park, is Safarihoek Lodge. Perched on top of a hill, overlooking the plains below, Safarihoek is a stylish sort of place, and you’ll find cool, thatched chalets all with private decks, a double-storey photography hide, and a swimming pool with 180-degree vistas of the brilliant savannah.

But if there’s one thing about Safarihoek, it’s the location. Everywhere you turn, the rugged Namibian savannah stretches into the distance, with only a spangly tree here, and a spiky bush there. The wildlife roams freely across the never-ending space, unhindered and unobstructed. This is a place of silence and solitude, and a rare opportunity to be at one with nature and the animals that thrive here.

We’re all about the wildlife at Hyena Pan. First up is its phenomenal location in Khwai Private Reserve. Positioned between Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park and the Khwai River, our exclusive concession is a meeting point for more animals than you can shake a stick at. Think nomadic herds of elephant and buffalo, lion, leopard and wild dog fiercely defending their territories, as well as kudu, red lechwe and herds of dainty antelope dotted across the plains.

And then there’s the camp itself. From its lofty position amongst a grove of cathedral mopane trees, the eight tents at Hyena Pan look over a watery lagoon of the same name. In the morning, you’ll open your tent flaps straight on to the trumpeting elephant in the lily-filled waters below, spend your siesta watching herds splash and snort, and fall asleep to antelope grazing just outside your canvas walls. This isn’t a place for those looking for opulence and extravagance; it’s a private piece of big-game Africa, where the wildlife encounters are authentic, intimate and always wild.

Not only is Khwai Private Reserve one of Botswana’s best kept secrets, it’s also home to the lovely Sable Alley. Opened in 2017, Sable is a piece of light, bright and beautiful luxury amid the game-rich floodplains of Khwai, and the best news is that it’s as sustainable as it is sophisticated. We’ve partnered with the local communities in Khwai, and proceeds from staying at Sable Alley go straight back into the Khwai Village community projects.

And what about the wildlife? Located right on the banks of a lily-covered lagoon, home to harrumphing hippo and a favourite drinking spot for elephant and buffalo, the big game quite literally comes to you at Sable. But as tempting as it is to stay in camp, venture out you should, for Khwai offers one of Africa’s greatest and most exclusive safari experiences. Have your binos at the ready for lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, elephant and hundreds of dainty antelope as you drive through the diverse landscapes.

Looking for a truly unique way to spend time in the bush? Then look no further than our fabulous Skybeds, located deep within the Khwai Private Reserve. As the name suggests, this is no ordinary safari camp. Each “room” is actually a three-story raised platform, overlooking the wildlife-spotted plains of Khwai. Charmingly rustic yet perfectly stylish, you’ll find a bathroom with flushing loo on the first floor, a dressing area, and the ultimate cherry on the top floor, an enormous double bed, draped in white linens and a feather duvet and completely open to the stars.

With such spectacular skies overhead, you could be forgiven for forgetting about what’s happening down below. But keep one eye on the ground, for the Skybeds overlook a busy waterhole. In one night we’ve seen wild dog, lion, elephant and hyena – and that’s just the beginning. So, whilst we can’t guarantee you’ll get much sleep, we can guarantee one of the wildest and most wonderful safari experiences you’ll ever have.

**1 February 2020:  We’ve increased the age restriction to 15 years and older at the Skybeds.  The reason is that we’ve had a big increase of large game around the Skybeds and as such feel it is appropriate.

Imagine a smattering of billowing white tents, shaded by desert palms and surrounded by a thousand acres of shimmering, sparkling nothingness. You’ve just dreamt up San Camp, our impossibly romantic, seven-bedroom camp on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi. San isn’t a place for frills and fluffiness. The magic is in the minimalism, both at the camp and in the mysterious desert landscape. You can forget the tourist crowds and over-stuffed 4x4s too; it’s just you, the wildlife, and a handful of local San Bushmen, waiting to share their secrets with you. Of all the Makgadikgadi pans, we think Nwetwe is the most iconic. Meerkats pop up from the desert dust, brown hyaena hide in the grass, and you’ll see red hartebeest, springbok and gemsbok scurrying between them. But San Camp isn’t just about wildlife-watching – it’s about the atmosphere and the ethereal surroundings. Disappear into a remote world, a million miles from glowing screens and fruit-themed devices, where the 360-degree panoramas are so vast, you can see the curvature of the earth

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is situated on an exclusive concession in De Hoop Nature Reserve, a 34 000-hectare conservancy, often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Western Cape’.

Located little more than three hours’ drive from Cape Town – and a convenient diversion for travellers exploring South Africa’s scenic Garden Route – Lekkerwater enjoys an enviable position perched between land and sea atop the ancient dunes of De Hoop.

This remarkable coastal reserve is particularly famous for offering some of the world’s best land-based whale watching. During winter and spring (July to November) Southern Right whales migrate here from Antarctica to calve and breed in the warm seas offshore. Since 1985 these waters have been designated as a Marine Protected Area, and sea life has flourished. While whales are the stars of the show, guests may also look forward to sighting dolphins, seals and myriad sea birds from the comfort of Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.

Lekkerwater – meaning ‘good water’ in the Afrikaans language – offers a comfortable beach-safari experience in a truly magical setting.

With a rich history, incredible fauna and flora, pristine beaches, rolling hills and abundant sea life, the focus at Lekkerwater is on an exceptional nature-based experience.

Here we offer a new kind of luxury. The indulgence of wide open spaces, peacefulness and privacy, gorgeous sea views, the smell of the ocean, barefoot beach walks and incredible sunsets. You won’t find TV’s, minibars, heated towel rails or air conditioning – this is where you can fully embrace and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

With seven intimate and individual off-grid guest rooms, simply decorated in a bright and breezy coastal feel, each boasts a private deck overlooking the breath taking five-kilometre stretch of secluded beach. At the main lodge our focus is on offering a comfortable and unique beach experience where you can enjoy the simple pleasures of life. 

From almost every vantage point the ocean dominates the landscape, and daily activities are structured around the tides. At low water our team of naturalists lead guided walks to explore the thriving and fascinating inter-tidal ecosystem, while high tide sends travellers inland to discover De Hoop Nature Reserve’s wealth of biodiversity. Alongside the remarkable fynbos vegetation, more than 260 bird species have been recorded in the reserve – including the Western Cape’s only breeding colony of the endangered Cape Vulture.

Whether you’re simply seeking a luxurious off-grid coastal escape, or an unforgettable land-based marine safari, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge offers an entirely unique coastal experience in the heart of South Africa’s scenic Western Cape.

As authentic as it gets

Little Sable is a firm favourite at Natural Selection providing an authentic and rich Okavango safari experience. This intimate, tented retreat is located amid the shimmering grasslands of the Khwai Private Reserve, one of the best-managed private concessions in the greater Okavango Delta. Up here, there’s something to see around every corner and a different activity to enjoy every day, from classic game drives to mokoro trips and boat safaris. And the best bit of all is that this iconic safari experience is all yours at great value. So, what are you waiting for?

Switching off has always been top priority for us at Natural Selection and the sheer thought of exploring the pristine waterways of the Okavango Delta from the privacy of your bedroom, totally floats our boat! Okavango Spirit is an extraordinary houseboat experience offering seven comfy en-suite cabins, with sliding glass doors and private decks for total peace and tranquillity in one of the most remote settings in the Okavango Delta. Here you’ll be thrown into a world of beauty, comfort and total serenity. Wake up each morning on the Okavango River, African fish eagles calling, coffee in hand. Weave between islands, dotted with pods of hippo and cruising crocodile, with the ever changing riverbanks your bedrooms constant backdrop. Think spectacular sunsets and extraordinary adventures. Game viewing on tender boats, an abundance of bird and wildlife, land activities exploring the unique surrounds, elephants drinking right in front of your window. As you can imagine, this truly is a houseboat safari experience that simply can’t be missed!

If you’ve been forever dreaming of an iconic Okavango Delta experience, then end your search with Tuludi. The camp is located in the Khwai Private Reserve, over 200,000 hectares of pristine wilderness, and the landscape is fit for a fairy tale: floodplains stretch as far as the eye can see and the glistening waterways and emerald forests attract all the stars of the safari show.

At Tuludi itself, we wanted to capture the magic of being enfolded in nature and the serenity and space that comes with it. Picture seven, tree-house style rooms, shaded by the boughs of cool leadwood trees, sophisticated interiors that mix the contemporary with the traditional, and airy spaces, dotted with intriguing maps, botanicals and treasures from around the area. The result? An exclusive oasis that you’ll be delighted to return to after a day exploring the extraordinary ecosystem.

In a country jam-packed with vast, spectacularly beautiful landscapes, Kaokoland may just be the most incredible of them all. Deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert, scattered with unique wildlife and nomadic Himba settlements. It’s also one of Namibia’s most remote and wild environments, and one that not many will get the chance to discover in a lifetime.

And that’s exactly why we’ve decided to build Hoanib Valley Camp. A joint venture between the local communities and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the world’s only Africa-wide giraffe conservation organisation, the camp is an elegant, intimate affair that immerses you into the wilds of the desert. The six rooms blend seamlessly with the environment, offering a simple aesthetic that matches the rugged landscape down to a tee. Days are spent tracking endangered rhino, desert-adapted elephant, and of course desert-adapted giraffe, before retiring to your private veranda to marvel at the magnitude of your surroundings (G&T in hand).

Along with good wine, cheese, and the founders of Natural Selection, some things get better with age – and Etosha Mountain Lodge is one of them. Located in the exclusive Etosha Heights Private Reserve on the southwest border of Etosha National Park, the lodge has been going strong for over 10 years and we were delighted to take the reins in 2018. At the lodge, you can expect nine, classically-Namibian chalets, all with 180-degree, camera-loving panoramas of the wilderness, a beautiful main ‘lapa’ area, and a cool swimming pool for the hot African days.

The activities certainly don’t disappoint either. Think morning and afternoon game drives in the private reserve, a former hunting concession and one which we are pleased to be rehabilitating into a photographic safari area. Go out in search of big cats and watch for signs of elephant on the horizon; watch all the action at the waterhole in front of camp; hop on a night drive with some of the best guides out there; and, of course, track endangered rhino, the icons of the area.

Kwessi Dunes is located deep in Namibia’s striking NamibRand Nature Reserve, a vast desert wilderness of over 200,000 hectares. With its rolling desert plains and backdrop of craggy mountains and iconic red dunes, this is a place where time seems to stand still and the space is never-ending. Here, it’s not about chasing big game but rather soaking up the beauty of the colourful landscape, admiring the antelope that scatter the sand, and gazing at the stars that light up the night sky.

At Kwessi Dunes, you’ll find 12 cool and comfortable (and air-conditioned) chalets all with canvas walls and thatched roofs. Each bedroom has a separate ‘star gazer’ room, completely open to the sky, and the perfect spot from which to watch the celestial theatre show above. Views from the rooms, the main area and the swimming pool are of the vast, desert vistas and when you can bear to tear your eyes away, enjoy quad biking, scenic drives and walks, hot air ballooning, helicopter flights, horse riding and day trips to Sossusvlei.

Uniquely designed around the enigmatic shipwrecks that line Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, there’s nowhere on the continent quite like Shipwreck Lodge. In fact, there’s nowhere on the continent quite like the Skeleton Coast. It’s a raw, rugged and impossibly remote slice of African wilderness, where towering dunes and wind-swept plains roll as far as the eye can see, buffeted by the icy Atlantic seas.

But there’s much more to the area than simple isolation. Stay at Shipwreck Lodge and game drive in search of desert-dwelling fauna; discover the enchanting desert flora (succulents and lichens); sit atop the dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon; spend the day beach-combing for whale bones and debris from centuries of shipwrecks; and marvel at the geologically-remarkable Clay Castles. Really, there’s nowhere like it on earth.

We are delighted to announce the opening of Safari House on the 15^thApril 2019! Located on the Etosha Heights Private Reserve, just next to Safarihoek Lodge, it’s a traditional Namibian farmhouse that we’ve given the Natural Selection treatment and can be booked on an exclusive-use basis. Expect three, ensuite bedrooms and a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room and sitting area inside. Outside, there’s a large veranda with a braai and plenty of outdoor seating, a fire pit and a second thatched braai area, as well as a swimming pool, all amidst the luscious green gardens.

 But perhaps the biggest luxury on offer at Safari House is freedom. With a private guide, vehicle and a chef all to yourself, it’s a safari that’s 100% on your terms whether you want to look for big game early in the morning, or have a leisurely start to the day. Flexibility is key here and the house is a perfect spot for families, groups of friends and adventurers looking for their very own, day-to-day itinerary.

For more than 30 years, Jack’s Camp has been an icon of African safaris, pioneering under-canvas luxury on the fringes of Botswana’s ethereal Makgadikgadi Pans. Now the adventurous spirit of Jack Bousfield ventures into new territory, with the opening of Duke’s Camp in the magical wilderness of the northern Okavango Delta.

While Jack’s has long taken its cue from the desert, Duke’s Camp draws its inspiration from the crystal-clear channels of the Okavango Delta, which wind sinuously around this permanent camp.

This landmark new camp is named in honour of Sarefo ‘Duke’ Sarefo, the custodian of this bountiful piece of wilderness. Duke was born 80 years ago on the very island that the camp now occupies, and his ancestral roots run deep into these sandy soils.

Pitched on raised wooden decks beneath a canopy of ebony and leadwood trees, the luxurious safari tents offer an unforgettable under-canvas adventure in the midst of this remarkable World Heritage Site. With expert guides honed in the bushcraft and lore of the Delta, there are few better ways to discover this wild landscape.

Duke’s Camp is a striking new safari destination set on a vast concession rich in game and natural beauty, and it lies waiting to be discovered.

Thamo Telele is a 250-hectare private game reserve located on the outskirts of the iconic safari town of Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.

This intimate and comfortable lodge was recently refurbished and opened its tent-flaps again in March 2022. With an enviable location bordering the Thamalakane River, Thamo Telele can accommodate 22 guests and offers space for relaxation and tranquillity, making it the ideal stop-over either side of any safari.

Set amongst a lush forest of old growth leadwood and acacia trees, each luxury safari-style tent and thatched chalet is a little bush haven. Surrounded by habitats of river, riverine, woodland and dry savanna this wildlife sanctuary is full of life and brimming with plains game and birdlife.

The abundant bird life will set any twitcher twitching and anyone with a soft spot for giraffe will be in a state of pure bliss as they get up close and learn more about our resident herd from our team of naturalists. In fact, the lodge was named after our littlest resident giraffe, born during our refurb in 2021. Surprisingly tall from birth, she was soon called Thamo Telele, meaning ‘long neck’ in Setswana. As we observed her growing day-by-day, she captured our hearts in such a profound way, that we decided to rename our ‘new’ lodge after her.

A night or two at Thamo Telele is all you need to discover why this little lodge has some cool safari style and soul!

You can’t dream this kind of adventure up. The camp itself is located on a private island, surrounded by a mosaic of other islands all netted together by shining lagoons and transient channels. Between the floodplains, open savannah and woodlands, there is an abundance of wildlife everywhere.

Each tent has been designed around a congregation of beautiful big trees, with exceptional lagoon views. Delights of ebony, mangosteen, rain trees, leadwood and wild fig. The adventure here comes to you in waves, as you safari amongst the islands, rich with wild things and extraordinary beauty. This is without doubt, an incredible Okavango Delta safari experience.

Designed around comfort and luxury, it won’t take you long to settle right in. Here you’ll be blissfully unaware of anything else, other than the tranquility and beauty of your surroundings. This is also an exciting opportunity to experience the joy of the Okavango Delta done three ways. On land, on water and in the air. Each new adventure, as extraordinary as the last. The wildlife opportunities in and around camp are exceptional and discovering this idyllic island landscape for yourself will not only delight, but also leave you full to the brim with adventure filled stories to share.

Mokolwane is a small, relaxed camp in one of the largest, and almost untouched, parts of the Okavango Delta. Set amongst a sprinkling of Mokolwane palms, in the Xudum concession (NG29), you’ll find it tucked away in 200 000-hectares of wilderness. Teeming with herds of elephant and all the Okavango predators, with so much space and so much action, it’s no surprise that National Geographic and Netflix filmmaker Brad Bestelink has chosen to base himself here. This is leopard country. These territorial cats love it here so much, that the area boasts the third highest density recorded anywhere in Africa. Mokolwane is a special little camp, big on adventure. And being the only camp for miles around, a great place to breath in the stillness and solitude.

If your idea of paradise involves unspoiled landscapes, pristine coastlines, and a symphony of nature’s wonders, then pack your bags and set your compass to GweGwe Beach Lodge in the Mkambati Nature Reserve. A hidden gem along the Wild Coast in South Africa, this is where luxury and adventure take centre stage. There are not many places in the world you can watch wildlife on land and dolphins (and even whales) offshore.

Situated on a stretch of coastline that is as untamed as it is beautiful, between the dramatic cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, pockets of dense swamp forest and crystal-clear waters, you can enjoy a day of wildlife watching, beaching and exploring, before being lulled to sleep by the Indian Ocean. Arrive by plane, heli, boat or self-drive – there really is no excuse not to get here!