Review: Jack’s Camp

Why book? In a landscape of constant new offerings, Jack’s has managed to stay relevant while maintaining a very authentic feel. It has a bonafide back-to-basics bush approach but with all the trimmings of a luxury property. There’s nowhere else like it in Southern Africa, let alone the world.

Set the scene: Jack’s Camp is both modern and timeless at once: Not just because it’s dripping with ancient relics (there’s even a registered museum) or because there’s no Wi-Fi or air conditioning, but because the Makgadikgadi is an area lesser-known to travelers. During the day, guests are unlikely to come across another vehicle, and at night, the only sound is of silence, sometimes punctured by the roar of a lion. Travelers come here to soak up the ancient Magkadikgadi, a vast and ancient landscape the size of Switzerland. They also come here to reconnect with nature by allowing the gorgeous, no-Wi-Fi camp to swallow them up.

The backstory: Ralph Bousfield opened Jack’s Camp in 1993 in honor of his late father Jack, a safari pioneer and one of the first to bring tourism to the Makgadikgadi, who tragically died in a plane accident the year prior. The story goes that when Jack arrived in the Makgadikgadi in the ‘60s, and started offering word-of-mouth safari excursions, insiders thought he was crazy. Who would go to a place as hot and desolate as the Kalahari? It turns out, Jack wasn’t so crazy after all–the Kalahari is a magical place, brimming with life, if you’re willing to look for it. The new Jack’s Camp, which is quite literally a supersized version of the old property, still has the old-world charm but with a few modern updates like private pools and overhead bed cooling systems. It’s pleasantly the same, but different.

Food and drink: For all the things that have been overhauled at Jack’s, the menu isn’t one of them. Here, meals are simple and unfussy—a reminder that you don’t come to Jack’s for the food, rather for nature. In the mornings, tea or coffee is served in your room in silver teapots with velvet tea cozies. Hearty breakfasts of eggs and bacon and dinners of lamb and mash are eaten at a jumbo dining room table illuminated by lanterns. Historically, guests were encouraged to dine together and share stories from the day. Nowadays, people still share a table, but sit a few feet apart. The best “meal” is undoubtedly afternoon tea, where cucumber sandwiches and biscuits are served in a round tent strewn with Persian rugs and giant cushions.

The service: At Jack’s, you’re meant to feel at home. So much so that you’re invited to help yourself to a drink at the honesty bar, a tented room with swinging canopied beds and an antique pool table. Staff are friendly and casual and, while attentive, happy to leave you to your own devices.

For families: Unlike many safari properties, kids of all ages are allowed. There’s one family tent but all the suites can essentially be converted into family offerings, as the en-suite lounges have day beds that are easily made into night beds.

Eco effort: The camp is entirely run on solar power with a back-up generator. Although, with all the hundreds of lanterns dotted around the property, electricity is hardly needed at night.

Anything left to mention? Don’t miss out on a meerkat excursion.