San Camp is the sister camp of Jacks Camp but is only open in the dry season. Spectacularly located right on the very edge of the ‘Pans’, this is one of the most romantic camps in Africa.
Maun Airport (MUB)
The experience of utter nothingness is the significant appeal at San Camp; as AA Gill recently wrote, “this is God’s own minimalism”. On four-wheel-drive quad bikes you can head far into Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans. Remote archaeological sites can be found, periodically discovering never-before-documented fossil beds of extinct giant zebra and hippo. The fact that you can travel across the pans at great speed and still arrive nowhere only underlines the pan’s immensity. There is nothing out there, absolutely nothing; not evensound but the crunch of your boots in the crust. Slightly inland from the pans there are a few families of habituated Meerkats you will get to spend time with; perhaps one will even use you as a pedestal to secure an advantageous lookout point for predators and you will walk with some of the San Bushmen who will educate you in their ancient ways and traditions. This is a safari like no other in Africa.
The seven large, luxurious, and stylish white canvas tents have en-suite facilities. Each tenthas a magnificent view across the “Pans” from its veranda and with Persian rugs underfoot and cool cotton sheets form a striking contrast with the rugged wilderness of the Makgadikgadi. The Family tent comprises of two tents with an interleading walkway. The camp’s hub is a romantic white canvas pavilion where everyone meets for lavish and elegant meals and there is an adjoining tea tent filled with scatter cushions and even an open sided yoga tent for those inspired by the silence of the area to travel into deeper thought!
We’ll meet at 4 p.m. at our hotel in Luzern (Lucerne) for a “Welcome to Switzerland” meeting. Then we’ll take a meandering evening walk through Switzerland’s most charming lakeside town, and get acquainted with one another over dinner together. Sleep in Luzern (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Enjoy an orientation walk of Zurich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. Then, leave Zurich and start your Swiss adventure. You’ll quickly discover that Switzerland isn’t just home to the Alps, but also to some of the most beautiful lakes. First, stop at the foot of the Jura Mountains in the picturesque town of Biel, known as Bienne by French-speaking Swiss, famous for watch-making, and explore the historical center. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to lakeside Neuchâtel, dominated by the medieval cathedral and castle. Time to stroll along the lake promenade before continuing to stunning Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland, with its fantastic lakeside location and breathtaking panoramas of the Alps.
Our morning drive takes us from Swiss lakes to Swiss Army. At the once-secret Swiss army bunker at Fortress Fürigen, we’ll see part of the massive defense system designed to keep Switzerland strong and neutral. Afterward, a short drive into the countryside brings us to the charming Alpine village of Engelberg, our picturesque home for the next two days. We’ll settle into our lodge then head out for an orientation walk. Our stroll through the village will end at the Engelberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with its own cheese-making operation. You’ll have free time to wander back before dinner together. Sleep in Engelberg (2 nights). Bus: 1 hr. Walking: light.
An unforgettable trip to the high Alpine wonderland of ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. Globus Local Favorite At an amazing 11,332 feet, the JUNGFRAUJOCH is Europe’s highest railway station. Jungfrau’s 13,642-foot summit was first ascended in 1811 and in 1912 the rack railway was opened. There are lots of things to do here: enjoy the ALPINE SENSATION, THE PANORAMA 360° EXPERIENCE, and the ICE PALACE. Also receive your JUNGFRAU PASSPORT as a souvenir to take home with you. The round trip to the “Top of Europe” by MOUNTAIN TRAIN will take most of the day.
