Boteti River Camp

Boteti River Camp in a Nutshell

Boteti River Camp is for the budget minded traveller. Its cheap, while still providing safe, reliable, clean and well managed accommodation RIGHT next to the entrance gate of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (MPNP). Indeed, they offer excellent game drives along the Boteti River, where you can see the big thirsty herds of zebra, wildebeest and elephants come to drink. There is good food and drinks available, local advice for self-drive guests, friendly staff and warm people in the Khumaga village community to make you feel welcome.

Fast Facts

8 en-suite chalets (5 standard, 3 family chalets)
1 platform tent with 4 beds
Campsite
Price range of USD98- 148USD pppn DBB
Access to Boteti River game drive routes (park gate 2 minute drive away)
Good stop over for Kalahari parks
Access by road
Rustic, village-based camp

How to Get There

You can fly in to this camp but the airstrip is a fair distance away. Most guests are transferred in by road from Maun. This camp is also very popular for those ending a mobile safari to one of the desert parks, or as a stop-over when moving one of our mobile safari camps (with Wildland Safaris).

Game Viewing and Activities

You come here for the game drives on the Boteti River. What you get is one of the most intense game viewing experiences when the huge zebra migration is in attendance during the dry season (between April and November, rain dependent). However, there are also other animals on the possible sightings list including lion, leopard and cheetah (occasionally), giraffe, huge elephants and much much more.

The dramatic, wide, Boteti river is the setting for the drives – it can be full of water, being the outflow of the Okavango Delta or it can be dry with small waterholes in the river bed. Either way, it is a magnet for thousands of thirsty animals. The flow of the river is fickle….do ask us for latest predictions.

Further excursions are on offer – day trips to Nxai Pan National Park and half-day trips to the salt pan ecosystem – these are “desert” areas. They also offer interesting village activities if culture is your thing.

Boteti River Camp is open all year, but the best time to visit would be during the hot and dry season when the zebra are there in big numbers. This peaks in around September. Ask us for advice on your time of travel.

Camp Environment

The setting is a plot within the limits of Khumaga Village – you will have village life and sounds around camp, day and night. The MPNP is within sight of BRC, you just have to go up on the viewing deck of the main lodge structure to see it. There are therefore limited views of any wildlife from this camp….however, the park gate is a mere 1 minute drive from camp! If the river is flowing, this involves an exciting ferry crossing.

The lodge is simple with a big timber and corrugated roof construction as the main area. Here you will find reception and a funky, comfortable and welcome lounge and dining area. Importantly, you will also find the bar! Upstairs, there is another lounge area with some views of the Boteti River, looking into the park. Everything is “cool” here, and comfortable enough as a hang out after a busy safari schedule. The grounds are mostly bare with a little bit of greenery here and there – no grass or anything like that. The swimming pool is a big plus point, especially in the hotter months.

Now, the rooms……the big bonus is that the chalets have air-conditioning! This goes down well during peak migration season when it is hot and dry (September through to November). You will really appreciate it through the rest of the summer months too as the chalets only have tin roofs with no insulation. Inside the chalets are simple yet functional. The lodge is well managed so hygiene and cleanliness will be maintained throughout the accommodations. The beds have mosquito nets, you will find a tea and coffee station and a simple wardrobe and shelves in each room.

There is also a “Platform Tent” available with 4 beds – good for a family or those on a tight budget?

More About The BOTETI RIVER and its Flood:

The past “flood” year (2019) saw the Boteti River drying up for the first time in many years. Currently, the river is flowing again upstream (on its way!) and we predict that the area will receive flood water in July 2020!! Exciting!

What we think

Nice cheap price – you will not find much cheaper.

Owned and managed by a highly successful safari company in Maun – Bushways Safaris – this operation is professional, ethical and highly resourceful.

This is such any interesting area, never dull……there are lots of villages on one side of the river and an amazing amount of wildlife on the other – make no mistake, there is conflict. This gives visitors a real insight into the realities of wildlife conservation in Africa. Mind you, IT IS DEFINITELY ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS in the country despite some of the problems the area has. Especially because of the zebra…

Good food, good activities and did we mention CHEAP!