Meno a Kwena

OVERVIEW:

Meno a Kwena is an authentic, great-value safari camp on a rocky cliff-top above Botswana’s Boteti river – ideally placed for day trips to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Meno a Kwena means ‘teeth of the crocodile’ – the name is how the locals refer to the area, which is apt for the camp’s riverside location and the beady crocodile eyes you might see peering just above the water’s surface. With classic accommodations, super-friendly staff, and a great range of activities, Meno a Kwena is a reliable option in the region and one we recommend for those seeking an extended safari in Botswana. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, a laundry service, and selected activities. The camp is open all year round.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Meno a Kwena is positioned on the Boteti river overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Guest access is usually from Maun, either by a 1.5-hour drive on mostly good roads or a short flight to the Motopi airstrip. From there, it’s a 20-minute road transfer to the camp.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT MENO A KWENA: 

Guest accommodation at Meno a Kwena consists of eight Meru-style double and twin tents and two family units. These no-frills, explorer-style lodgings offer stunning river views from their elevated cliff-top position, with carefully chosen furniture and artefacts that inject plenty of character rather than overt luxury. Outside, the views take centre stage, and the private verandas offer a great place to observe wildlife, from the comfortable daybed or one of the safari chairs. Two tents have a king-sized bed, and six have two queen-sized beds in each and can accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children. The interiors might be toned down, but they definitely don’t lack charm – expect to find Persian carpets, locally woven fabrics, colonial-style furniture, and splashes of colour that bring warmth and homeliness. You’ll find reading lights, writing desks, storage trunks, standing fans, and roll-up canvas windows that allow the breeze to flow. At the back of the tent, the en-suite bathroom includes a flush toilet, twin washbasins, and an indoor shower, while outside is a stone-walled enclosure, complete with an additional outdoor shower. The family accommodations consist of two interleading tents, one with two beds and the second with three, accommodating a maximum of five guests.

From the guest tents, sandy paths connect to the central mess tent, which includes a living room, reference library, bar, and dining space where guests are seated together around a long dining table with safari chairs. Outside, you’ll find the camp’s convivial fire pit, the perfect place for getting to know your fellow travellers over sundown drinks or early morning coffee. Blending with the natural environment, the swimming pool is carved into the rocks and overlooks the Boteti river, with plenty of outside space for relaxing with a book and admiring the views that stretch as far as the Makgadikgadi Pans.

ACTIVITIES AT MENO A KWENA:

Meno a Kwena offers an exciting variety of activities, as follows:

• Game drives

  – Half-day and full-day game drives are offered within Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, with lunch and tea served in the field along the banks of the Boteti river. A 90-minute drive takes you to the park gates, where you’ll spend the day amongst various desert-adapted species, including desert elephant, brown hyena, and red hartebeest. During green season, the area experiences an incredible influx of zebra and wildebeest, second only to the famous Serengeti wildebeest Great Migration.

• Bushman walks

  – Take to the bush for a gentle walk in nature with Bushman, who share their knowledge of one of the last great nomadic tribes. This captivating activity offers insight into an ancient hunter/gatherer way of life as well as an introduction to the inhabitants of these lands, who have coexisted with wildlife for thousands of years.

• Boating

  – The Boteti river is the only water source for miles around, which means all sorts of wildlife congregates on its banks to drink and bathe. Glide along the river, keeping an eye open for crocs, hippos, and various predators and herbivores along the riverbank. Please note that this activity is seasonal and depends on water levels.

• Salt pans sleep-outs

  – Those on a 3-night minimum stay can spend a memorable evening under the stars with a salt pans sleep-out in the heart of Makgadikgadi Pans. Depart Meno a Kwena after breakfast and drive to the edge of the salt pans for a picnic lunch (approximately 3–4 hours’ drive) before continuing to your specially set-up campsite. After an atmospheric campfire dinner, sleep under the huge starlit skies immersed in nature and vast space. Please note that sleep-outs must be booked in advance and are offered between May and September, subject to the weather and dryness of the pans.

• Floating hide

  –  All-year-round floating hide experiences are offered from the camp’s viewing hide on the Boteti river. From the main campsite, steps lead down to the very edge of the river and the brilliantly positioned hide where guests have front-row seats to the incredible wildlife.

• Community visit

  –  Meno a Kweno is located close to rural communities, meaning guests can visit a local village, engage with its inhabitants, and gain insight into the fascinating traditional Batswana culture. Please note that this experience is offered on request.

• Wildebeest and zebra migration

  –  Depending on the water sources along the migratory paths, guests might have the opportunity to witness the wildebeest and zebra migration between May and August. A lesser-known migration than the Serengeti’s annual spectacle, this is truly a sight to behold as vast numbers of zebra and wildebeest slowly start to make their way from the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans towards the Boteti river.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.