John Chase Safari Luxury Mobile Tented Camps

Nxai Pan Reserve, Botswana

Overall impression: An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, our luxury mobile camp experience in the Nxai Pan National Reserve of Botswana was intimate, safe, clean and comfy. Communing with the outdoors and nature, especially in an area with no other accommodation options, was a pleasure. Accustomed to fussy Americans, our experienced, colorful and knowledgeable hosts John and Tina and their team were welcoming and tended to our every need. The tents (with bathrooms en suite) were in excellent condition with great attention to detail, and modern though maintaining an African feel.

In spite of our low season visit, the game viewing was a delight. We spotted a pride of lions with young cubs next to a water hole. We were able to view and photograph them, sometimes within ten or twenty feet from our vehicle, for long stretches of time. We also saw a dramatic confrontation between two bull elephants at a water hole which resulted in one of them losing a large chunk of his left tusk (the ivory was left with park officials).

We looked forward to meal times and the tasty home cooked meals Tina and her group prepared. We were amazed at the variety and complexity of dishes they made all within the confines of our camping setting. We looked forward to nightly dinner table and fireside conversations.

Location: In the Nxai Pan Reserve, a Botswana national park

John Chase Safaris: As mobile camp operators they were able to travel with and accommodate guests in remote areas with limited access. They provided a nostalgic setting reminiscent of the old safari days. Options included a number of locations within Botswana depending on client requests.

For our visit, the team required three days to transport (five hours) and assemble five tons of equipment and tents to accommodate our group of four guests and the support staff (total of 18 people). Larger groups required more equipment and food (7-10 tons) and longer assembly time. Though there was no electricity or running water, we had everything we needed and were able to shower daily. By government requirements, all refuse and traces of the mobile tented camp had to be removed after our departure, a process that often took two days to complete.

Other areas available for mobile tented camp visits included Chobe National Park ( Moremi Reserve), Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and the Bushmen Experience in the Xai-Xai .

Owned/managed: Certified guides John and Tina Chase

Year opened/renovated: 1998; renovations were ongoing

Type of accommodation: Mobile luxury tents with en suite “bathrooms”

Size: From 2 tents and 4 guests to 9 tents and 18 guests. Up to 13 staff members travel with the mobile camp.

Handicapped access: Possible by prior arrangement

Check-in/check-out process ease: Excellent

Languages: English, Afrikaans, Swahili, Setswana , Xhosa, Kalanga , Sotho, Bushman

Tent: Our spotlessly clean and smell free rectangular shaped 200 ft2 tent was large enough for two people. We entered through a zippered door with double flaps: one with sc reened materials to keep the bugs out and the other thicker one for privacy and insulation. Inside there were two twin beds with comfortable mattresses, clean crisp sheets and blankets; a night table on one side of each bed; and a cloth covered trunk type table where we put our luggage.

The tent fabric covered the floor and provided sc reened “windows” to keep the tent cool during the day. At night, we pulled up the window flaps for privacy and to keep the tent as warm as possible.

Just outside our tent there was: A cloth covered table; two chairs; two cloth sinks with a hanging mirror over each of them, which the staff filled with hot water twice a day. Next to the sinks there were hanging vanity chests were we could place our toiletries.

Bathroom : Inside the tent though divided by a zippered “door” there was a “bathroom” area. The fabric covering the floor was knitted so it could get wet and liquids would seep through to the ground. The “ceiling” fabric was also knitted so we could see the trees and sky over us though the fabric protected us from insects and leaves. To one side there was a shower section with a hand operated hose. Next to the hose there was a place on the “wall” of the tent to place soap and toiletries.

Showers were best taken in the heat of the day with a 15 minute notice to the staff. They would place hot water in a container connected to our shower hose and on the outside of our tent. Though water pressure was low it was good enough for an adequate shower, which felt especially good after a dusty day of game viewing in the semi-arid Nxai Pan.

On the other side of the “bathroom” there was a pit latrine. It consisted of a hole in the ground with a green plastic toilet seat over it. We had to throw a sc oop of ashes into the latrine after each use to minimize odors. In spite of that, after a day the smell was so pungent we had to spray deodorizer to come in to the “bathroom.” Though it was a private latrine in our own tent, the smell was daunting at times.

Cleanliness: Good

Amenities: Toiletries including shampoo, bath and shower gel and body lotion.

Facilities: A dining tent, a fireplace area, three in-house vehicles

Meal: In spite of our remote location in a national park several hours drive from the nearest grocery store, almost everything we were served was homemade and cooked right before our meals. Food was set on a table from which we could serve ourselves. A staff member brought our drinks and picked up used plates.

We had breakfast before our early morning drive. Options included fresh fruit, hot freshly made cereals and cold cereals, cheeses, and fresh baked bread. A made-to-order hot breakfast including eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms was also available. Dining under the stars had a special feel to it since we were in the open bush. It was a treat.

Service: Our hosts John and Tina Chase and their staff including camp manager and guide Howard Mlizane were friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, gracious and a pleasure to be with. We particularly appreciated the mobile tent style of experiencing Africa , the seasoned background of our hosts and the special luxury touches evident in our tents and overall stay. We look forward to another trip to Botswana including John Chase Safaris.

Optional activities: Day drives, boat safari, mekoro trips, hot air balloons, bungee jumping and quad bikes. Also available outside national parks: night drives, fishing and walking.

Game viewing : Elephants, lions, oryx , jackals, springbok, zebra, giraffe, impala and ostrich as well as many birds. The viewing by one of only two water holes was exceptional. A pride of lions was resting near the water and it was quite a show watching the prey animals approach for a drink.

Other: John Chase Safaris was a member of the Hotel and Tourism Association of Botswana and the only operators allowed to camp at the Nxai Pan during the time we were there. All meals, drinks, transportation within the reserve, national park and camping fees, and game drives were included in the nightly rates. The canopied game viewing vehicles were especially fitted Land Cruisers with seating for seven guests.

The darkness at night was particularly noticeable since there was nothing other than our modest kerosene lamps and small flashlights to mar the bush blackness. It was a treat looking up at the sky a night to see the southern hemisphere stars in all their glory.

Many of the staff members had worked with the Chase family between 16 and 29 years and considered themselves part of the family.

Length of stay: Two nights

Date of last visit: May 2004

Would you stay again? Yes

© Simon and Baker 2003-2008, Inc. All Rights Reserved
website development by Moonlion Networks
Problems? contact us   Want to quote us? check here