Thakadu

Thakadu Bush Camp lies within a private game reserve just a few kilometres south of the town of Ghanzi, on the eastern edge of the Kalahari in central Botswana. Its name, meaning “aardvark” in Setswana, reflects the camp’s rustic, close-to-nature character and its setting among classic Kalahari scrubland and camel thorn woodland.

Accommodation ranges from thatched chalets to classic en-suite rooms and comfortable Meru-style tents, each with a private bathroom, tea and coffee-making facilities, air conditioning or fan, and a private veranda overlooking the reserve. The camp’s relaxed, unpretentious style makes it a popular stop for travellers crossing the Kalahari between Namibia and the Okavango, as well as those looking for an accessible introduction to the region.

Guided San Bushman walks are a highlight at Thakadu, with resident trackers demonstrating traditional bush skills and a Bushman dance performance offered as a cultural experience. Guests can also explore the reserve independently on self-guided walks or self-drive routes, with a good chance of encountering plains antelope species across the property.

A particular point of interest is the CL Woolcott Vulture Restaurant on the reserve, a supplementary feeding site that draws white-backed vultures and other raptors, giving guests a rare opportunity to observe these threatened birds at close range. Thakadu’s location close to Ghanzi also makes it a convenient base for exploring the wider Kalahari before continuing on to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve or the Okavango Delta further north.