Under the endless skies of the desert, Kalahari Plains Camp enjoys a magical location with some of Bostwana’s best game viewing. Just one of the few camps in the area, Kalahari Plains offers the opportunity to discover relatively unexplored wilderness in a simple, peaceful camp.


Location

Situated in a remote section of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the largest conservation area in Bostwana, Kalahari Plains Camp is one of few in the Deception Valley, offering a great chance to sight the legendary Kalahari black-maned lion.

Rooms

Ten spacious meru-style tents are built on elevated platforms with en-suite bathrooms, balconies with table and chairs and mesh windows allowing the light of the desert to filter in. The most unique thing about the tents are the rooftops terraces where guests can choose to have beds made up for sleeping under the stars.

Communal Areas

The central, open-sided lounge and dining area is raised from the ground to enjoy the sweeping expanse of the Kalahari, leading out to open decks with plenty of seating and coffee tables. Browse through books in the library or share stories with fellow guests around the bar or campfire. There is also an inviting pool and deck area, ideal for post-desert adventure.

Activities

Due to the camp’s exceptional location, desert-adapted wildlife can be spotted year-round on day and afternoon game drives through the reserve. As well as the black-maned Kalahari lion, the reserve hosts one of the highest concentrations of cheetah in Southern Africa. Guests can also take guided nature walks with local Basarwa trackers.

Fully inclusive

Accommodation
Each guest tent has a sleep-out platform deck located above their unit, under the stars
Breakfast, lunch and evening meal
All house drinks (except premium imported brands and champagne)
Scheduled vehicle day game drives
Day trips to the renowned Deception Valley, with a picnic brunch
Guided bushman walk (led by staff members who are descendants of San Bushmen)
Birding (internationally recognised IBA – Important Birding Area)
Stargazing with a laser pointer
Wilderness Safaris and Olympus Photo Hub experience
Laundry service

When to go

Find out when is best to visit

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WET SEASON

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread-out A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.

Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can often rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F. Occasionally mornings can be cold, so do pack a light fleece.

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

WET SEASON

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread-out A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.

Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can often rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F. Occasionally mornings can be cold, so do pack a light fleece.

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

WET SEASON

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out. A season of change as the landscape transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.

Midday temperatures have cooled slightly, averaging 33°C/91°F, but temperatures can still occasionally climb over 40°C/104°F. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 17°C/62°F. Occasionally mornings can be very cold, so do pack a warm fleece.

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

WET SEASON

This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out. A season of change as the landscape transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. Great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals; these ultimately also draw in predators.

Midday temperatures have cooled, averaging a very pleasant 29°C/84°F. As this is a desert landscape after sunset, the temperatures rapidly drop off to a chilly average minimum of 12°C/53°F. Occasionally mornings can be very cold, even sub-zero, so do pack warm layers, and gloves.

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

DRY SEASON

Whilst the occasional shower is still possible, May is the beginning of the dry season. The landscape will still be many shades of green following the rains, with great game viewing opportunities! Midday temperatures are pleasant, but the mornings are cold, with an average minimum low of 6°C/42°F. Sub-zero mornings are very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

DRY SEASON

Clear skies still dominate, the landscape is rapidly returning to a semi-arid desert. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.

Midday temperatures are pleasant, averaging around 24°C/75°F. The mornings are very cold, with an average minimum low of 1°C/31°F. Sub-zero mornings are very common, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

DRY SEASON

Clear skies still dominate, the landscape is rapidly returning to a semi-arid desert. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.

Midday temperatures are pleasant, averaging around 24°C/75°F. The mornings are very cold, with an average minimum low of 1°C/31°F. Sub-zero mornings are very common, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

DRY SEASON

Clear skies still dominate, the landscape is rapidly returning to a semi-arid desert. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.

Midday temperatures are pleasant, averaging around 24°C/75°F. The mornings are very cold, with an average minimum low of 1°C/31°F. Sub-zero mornings are very common, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

DRY SEASON

Clear skies still dominate, the landscape is rapidly returning to a semi-arid desert. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.

Midday temperatures are pleasant, averaging around 31°C/88°F. The mornings are cold, with a minimum low of 8°C/46°F. Sub-zero mornings are still very much a possibility here, so do pack appropriately for those early game drives!

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

DRY SEASON

Clear skies still dominate. Game viewing opportunities remain strong.

Temperatures begin to climb, especially towards the end of the month. Midday temperatures average around 29°C/84°F, but occasionally temperatures can climb over 40°C/104°F. Mornings remain cool to cold, with an average minimum low of 12°C/54°F – so do pack a warm fleece!

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

WET SEASON

A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. This great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.

Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F.

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

WET SEASON

A season of change as the landscape totally transforms to a green flowering ‘desert’, a beautiful time to visit. This great birding with migratory species present and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.

Midday temperatures are however very high during this period, averaging 35°C/95°F, but can rise well over this to 45°C/113°F or more. Humidity levels though are surprisingly low, so this extreme heat can be bearable and as this is a desert landscape after sunset the temperatures rapidly drop off to a much more pleasant 19°C/95°F.

Like the rest of Botswana, The Kalahari has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the Kalahari offers great game viewing throughout the year we would generally recommend visiting the area at the back end of the rains, when wildlife is drawn to the riverbeds. If your timing is right, you can be rewarded with great game viewing, birdlife and a beautiful green flower blooming landscape!

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