Meno a Kwena

Meno a Kwena ("Teeth of the Crocodile") occupies a dramatic clifftop above the Boteti River, roughly two hours by road from Maun and almost exactly halfway between the Okavango Delta and Botswana's drier south. Unlike the other Natural Selection Makgadikgadi camps, which sit on the dry pans themselves, Meno's defining feature is water — the Boteti is the only permanent water source in the area, drawing a constant concentration of wildlife directly below camp.

The camp deliberately avoids high-luxury trappings in favour of rustic, characterful design: locally-woven fabrics, colonial-style furniture, a roof section fashioned from an old parachute, and a lounge filled with decades of travel trinkets. Ten tents (6 twin, 2 king, 2 interleading family) offer en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and a rock-set "Flintstone-esque" pool overlooks the river below.

The signature experience is a floating photographic hide reached by steps from the main camp, offering close-range wildlife photography of elephant and zebra coming to drink. Guests can also join game drives, walk with San/Zu'/hoansi Bushmen, boat the Boteti River, or — for stays of three nights or more — sleep out under the stars on the Makgadikgadi salt pans. It's considered one of the best vantage points in Africa for the roughly 30,000-strong zebra/wildebeest migration each dry season.

Rooms: 10 tents (6 twin, 2 king, 2 interleading family). All ages welcome. Facilities: rock-set swimming pool, floating hide with bar/picnic facilities, family tents. Solar-powered. Most affordable of the 5 Natural Selection Makgadikgadi properties.