Meet the Meerkats

While they aren’t tame, years of research have made these meerkats semi-habituated. You’ll set out from your lodge at sunrise or sunset, the time when these quirky characters are at their most playful and active.

Nothing quite prepares you for the endearing sight of a tiny little meerkat wriggling out of its burrow in the middle of the surreal Makgadikgadi Pans. Although you’re not allowed to touch the meerkats, they do tend to treat human visitors as handy props while they go through their everyday activities.

Don’t be surprised if a little meerkat curls up on your lap on a chilly Kalahari morning or mistakes you for a termite mound, climbing onto your head to use you as a viewing platform for keeping an eye out for predators. The trick is simply to keep as still as possible and revel in the company of these animals.

Two camps that offer private meerkat-viewing experiences we highly recommend are San Camp and Jack’s Camp.

A chance to meet the meerkats simply shouldn’t be missed. A few hours in the company of these gorgeous animals is totally unique and offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of one of Africa’s cutest creatures.