Elephant Sands, Botswana

Elephant Sands is a unique owner-run bush camp in northeastern Botswana where wild African elephants visit an open waterhole situated just metres from the bar and guest tents — every hour of every day and night, throughout the year.

Unlike conventional safari lodges where game drives bring you to the wildlife, at Elephant Sands the wildlife comes to you. The unfenced waterhole creates extraordinary close encounters with wild elephant herds, making it one of Africa's most intimate and accessible wildlife experiences.

The Experience

  • Watch wild elephant herds at the waterhole from your table or bed
  • Swimming pool adjacent to the waterhole — elephants drink nearby
  • Night viewing — elephants visit throughout the night
  • Open-vehicle game drives into Nxai Pan area
  • Sundowner drives into the Botswana bush
  • Self-drive accessible — on the main Francistown–Kasane road

Quick Info

  • Country: Botswana
  • Location: Between Nata and Kasane, northeastern Botswana
  • Best time: Year-round (elephant visits); July–October (driest, most wildlife)
  • Combines well with: Chobe, Makgadikgadi, Victoria Falls

Add Elephant Sands to your Botswana itinerary.