Meno A Kwena Tented Camp & Safaris operates out of our base camp on the banks of the Boteti Riverbed, (dry since 1995). The Boteti River is one of the few drainage systems that carry the Okavango floodwater out of the delta in times of average, and above average rainfall, deep into the Kalahari. The Boteti Riverbed is the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in North Central Botswana. The riverbed is the dry season range of Southern Africa’s largest zebra and wildebeest migration, along with a variety of wet and dry land species, of both migratory and resident wildlife.

Our area of safari operations incorporates three protected wildlife sanctuaries in the Kalahari – The Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Parks, and Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The location of the camp, just over an hour drive from Maun, the safari hub of the Okavango Delta, puts us in a unique position to do extensive and varied Kalahari safaris.

Who We Are 

David Dugmore Started operating safaris from Meno A Kwena Tented Camp at the beginning of the 2003 season. The company originally operated ‘mobile’ type safaris through the area since the early 1990s. The style of his African safaris is based on the assumption that safaris are an experience, from the wildlife, to the camp, and safari guides and crew.

In 2002 the Government of Botswana declared that the wildlife/human conflict situation along the Boteti River was increasing to unacceptable levels and decided to solve the problem with a fence to save the wildlife from livestock encroachment, and protect the farmers from marauding wildlife.

This resulted in increased positive potential for developments in wildlife safari tourism, and employment opportunities for the rural people living in close proximity to the national park. The camp is on leased tribal land and therefore ideally located to maximize benefits to the simple rural communities living in the area.

These new developments to protect the wildlife did not include water provision, and so we at Meno A Kwena took on the responsibility of supplying, and managing the park’s wildlife demands, on water. This has necessitated securing sufficient and reliable water since 2002. We also identified with the need for local employment opportunities, and so the camp and safaris have developed and evolved with this in mind.

The fully serviced authentic safari camp maintains an atmosphere of the original safari experience. Our guests appreciate this, as it is the authentic African safari experience they want, not a ‘bush hotel’ with all the modern luxuries of the developed world. We utilize safari tents and equipment from our former ‘mobile’ safari days and combine these  with permanent fixtures, built by local craftspeople, with locally collected materials. There are, of course, the luxuries of flush toilets and a natural Boteti rock pool to wallow in on hot summer days. Each of the seven fully serviced safari tents with semi-attached bathrooms, including a bucket shower and flush toilet each, are set on the edge of the riverbank. A hundred feet below camp is the waterhole that attracts thousands of animals during the dry season. A lot of emphasis in the camp experience is placed on the theatre view from camp, and so no matter where guests are they may watch the scenes played out, whether from the plunge pool, their tents, the verandahs, or the bathrooms.

The camp staff – management, guides and support crew all help to maintain the safari  experience with care and dedication to the guests’ every need. The safari camp cuisine is prepared in a way it is as much of a safari experience as all the other aspects of life in the bush. We cook on the campfire – BBQ Botswana beef fillets, BBQ chicken, BBQ chops, grilled fish, and these are supplemented with fresh vegetables and salads. Puddings, cheese, biscuits and fresh tropical fruits end the meals on a sweet note. Picnic lunches are supplied for day trips into the national parks.