Nestled in the sandy mopane forests of the drier interior of the Khwai Private Reserve, Elephant Pan is an unpretentious yet wildly rewarding safari camp designed for guests who value authentic wildlife experiences over extravagance. With its star feature – a bustling waterhole just meters from camp – Elephant Pan places you at the epicenter of Botswana’s elephant kingdom.

Elephant Pan is a laid-back, eco-conscious camp that offers a front-row seat to dramatic wildlife activity. It’s the kind of place where you can literally wake up to the sound of trumpeting elephants, spend siesta hours watching herds splash about at the waterhole, and fall asleep with antelope grazing just beyond your tent walls.

The camp offers eight comfortable canvas tents, each overlooking the waterhole. The design follows a theme of stylish simplicity, with twin beds that can be converted into doubles, mosquito netting, solar-powered lighting and plug points, and ensuite bathrooms with constant hot water from gas geysers. Inside, you’ll find practical amenities like an electronic safe, luggage rack, and wardrobe – just enough to make you feel at home without distracting from the wilderness just outside.

At the heart of camp lies the dining deck and lounge area – a relaxed space where you can enjoy your meals while keeping an eye on the waterhole. There’s also a swimming pool perfect for a midday cool-down as elephants and other wildlife gather below. In the evenings, guests gravitate to the open-air boma for drinks and fireside chatter under the stars. Once night falls, the waterhole is lit up, allowing for thrilling nocturnal game viewing that feels straight out of a nature documentary.

Khwai Private Reserve is known as one of Botswana’s most wildlife-dense areas. With Chobe National Park just to the north and no fences between, wildlife roams freely into the reserve, making sightings both frequent and dramatic. Elephants are everywhere – some say 7,000 live in the region, though estimates go even higher. The area’s rich ecosystems also attract herds of buffalo and zebra, giraffe, hippos, and a wide variety of antelope species, including the rare roan and sable.

But it’s not just about the big herbivores. Khwai is a predator hotspot, and the guides at Elephant Pan know every inch of this territory. They’ll take you deep into the bush in search of lions on the move, leopards slinking through trees, and even rarer sightings of cheetah and African wild dogs. The birdlife here is also impressive, with colorful and rare species delighting even the most experienced twitchers.

Elephant Pan is perfect for travelers looking for a raw, real connection with the African bush. It isn’t flashy – and that’s exactly the point. It’s a place where nature comes first, where your days are filled with unforgettable wildlife moments, and your nights are spent beneath starry skies with nothing but the sound of elephants in the dark.