Edo's Camp

Edo's Camp

Edo’s Camp is a small tented camp situated on a 1,200km2 game conservancy in the northwest Kalahari. The original farmland was bought by an Italian gentleman with the idea of having his own place in Africa where he could invite his friends on holiday. Around eight years ago the camp was built as private accommodation for the Italian gentleman with the help of an old-time Botswana guide, Stephan Lewis. Around 18 months ago the camp was opened to visitors.

The most idyllic spot in the camp is around the campfire under the cover of an old leadwood tree. This position offers 180-degree views of the waterhole and the wildlife that regularly comes to drink here.

Set a little back from the campfire is a thatched dining area, whose open sides offer views of the waterhole in case something exciting comes for a drink during mealtimes! Meals are eaten as a group around a long table here.

A small thatched lounge is surrounded on three sides by a stone wall to keep out the cold southerly wind during the winter months, whilst retaining a view over the waterhole. A leather couch and various Malawi chairs offer comfortable seating under cover during the hotter hours of the day.

The camp’s swimming pool is less well placed, at the back of the camp and surrounded by a stone wall. Despite the lack of enticing views, the pool is nice and large (you can swim laps in it) which makes a change from the usual small plunge pools found at other camps in Botswana.

Edo’s Camp has offered a local Bushman community initiative the use of a thatched rondavel to set up a curio shop. At the time of our last visit, the room was being donated to the group at no charge, but in return the stock and curio sales will be their sole responsibility.

Edo’s Camp has four spacious en-suite Meru tents, and so takes a maximum of eight guests. Each of the tents is built up on raised wooden platforms. High thatched roofs mean that the tent interiors are quite cool throughout the day. A covered wooden deck, complete with canvas loungers, camp chairs and a table, offer great views over the waterhole.

Geographics

• Location: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
• Ideal length of stay: 2 to 3 nights.
• Directions: Edo’s Camp can be reached by 2WD or by air. If you are driving yourself on a 2WD self-drive safari through Botswana or Namibia, then you will be met at the conservancy gate for a 20-minute 4WD safari to camp. The gate is 2½-hours from Maun, 5-hours from Nxamaseri, or 30 minutes north of Ghanzi. If you have a fly-in safari around Botswana, then you can transfer here by light aircraft, or fly to Maun to catch a 3-hour road transfer to camp. In this case, we recommend that you take the road transfer at least one way, to see more of Botswana’s rural areas, and then perhaps fly back.
• Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Health & Safety

• Malarial protection recommended: Yes
• Medical care: The nearby town of Ghanzi has a hospital. The guides are trained in first aid. Med rescue and emergency evacuation insurance (to nearest medical facility) is included in the accommodation cost.
• Dangerous animals: High Risk
• Security measures: The camp is in a remote area so on-site security is not necessary. The management can lock away any valuables in office on request.
• Security measures: Guests are escorted to their chalets after dark in case of animals wandering through the camp.
• Fire safety: Fire extinguishers are placed throughout the camp and are checked regularly. All tents and main areas open directly to the outside.

Infrastructure

• Power supply: Mains Electricity
• Communications: The camp is reachable by phone, email and fax. The camp’s office computer is available to guests for internet use on request.

Wildlife safaris: Edo’s Camp is one of the only places in Botswana where you can see rhino at an economical price. The conservancy is home to 6 white rhino and the population is growing. The rhino can be seen whilst on a 4WD safari drive or tracked on foot during a guided walk.