THE OKAVANGO AWAKENS TO BAINES' CAMP
 August 2004: Baines'' Camp was successfully opened in August 2004. The first guests, a family of four from the United States of America, checked in on 06 August 2004 and complimented the staff for an extremely high level of personal service, excellent food, magnificent activities and said that they had a phenomenal experience all round.
Baines'' Camp is a small, intimate and cosy camp featuring five luxurious suites set on magnificently elevated platforms among the indigenous flora. The suites run along the meandering river line and all decks are securely separated from the other''s, which ensures you have complete privacy. The unique aspect of Baines'' Camp is that 140 000 aluminium cans were incorporated into the walls of the camp and then plastered. This creates the curvilinear effect of the camp, which is maintained throughout by the specially ordered ''wonky ware'' crockery and if you look very closely you will find that there are absolutely no straight lines in this camp.
 Your magnificent room is equipped with a spacious wardrobe, fully mobile four-post bed, a comfortable bench, a digital safe and personalised mini-bar. On arrival at the camp your preferences are requested for the mini-bar, which is then stocked accordingly. Once again this maintains the personal level of service that Baines'' Camp is so proud of.
The beautiful floors are made out of a commercially grown environmentally friendly timber, saligna, which ensures that the natural theme of the camp is maintained. The large windows are set in such a way that ensures you get the maximum amount of natural light and optimises the panoramic views of the river and lagoon.
The other unique aspect of Baines'' Camp is that each suite is themed around one of Sir Thomas Baines'' paintings and furnishing includes light fittings and fabrics, which accentuate the various themes.
The first room, Koobie, is themed around the Bushmen and includes beautiful bamboo blinds and a useful bedside pedestal. The second room, Lake Ngami, is based around the tribal war council that took place at the lake and includes local shields, spears and animal hide rugs. The third room, Thomas Baines'', is decorated around his self-portrait and includes a hand made wrought iron sconce, natural animal hide rugs and a beautifully tailored leather top bedside table. The fourth room, Zanjueelah, focuses on the boatmen of the rapids who took Baines'' along the mighty Zambezi River and includes an antique horn wall sconce and natural animal hide rugs. The fifth room, Dinaka, is centred on the African elephants and gold rich rocks of Zimbabwe and include a hand made wrought iron sconce and unique sea grass carpet.
After a peaceful rest in either twin bedded suites or one of two king size suites, you can now get ready for a beautiful African safari. Activities include scenic guided walks or open 4X4 safaris through the vast African terrain, once in a lifetime elephant interaction and exhilarating hot air balloon excursions. Maybe you would like to coast across the Boro River in a motorised boat or if you prefer a more leisurely itinerary enjoy a serene mokoro ride. The camp also offers the services of two dedicated vehicles should you require any transfers.
 Enjoy a relaxing shower in the spacious bathrooms linked to the bedrooms by completely enclosed walkways set amidst the natural vegetation. From the outside, these walkways give the illusion of suspension bridges, which add to the natural theme of the camp. Each bathroom is equipped with a private toilet cubicle, a spacious white porcelain double basin accentuated with antique taps to maintain the theme, a large vanity area including a useful top shelf, magnificent mirrors set in demolition timber as well as a large shower for you to indulge yourself after a hot day in the African sun. Fittings in the bathroom such as the towel rails and soap holders are hand cast in pewter and the exposed copper pipes once again emphasise the natural theme of the camp.
After being invigorated, enjoy panoramic views from the luxury of your own suite. You are bound to spot wildlife and some of the prolific bird life. The timber patterns of the decks all vary which allows for an unusual visual feast. The thatching of the camp is terraced and fringed with a textured finish which blends in with the natural surroundings and gives you a sense of being at ease with nature.
 Our policy of conservation ensured that the roof of the lounge was dropped to accommodate a natural fig tree. The spacious lounge overlooking the meandering Boro River and Lagoon is equipped with comfortable three-seated couches and chairs which were especially produced for the camp. Beautiful antiques accentuate the furniture and maintain the natural look of the camp.
Before retiring for the day, enjoy a specially prepared meal in the comfort of your own room, outside amidst the indigenous flora or in the dining room, which boasts a unique tilted roof and specially themed tables, chairs and ''wonky'' crockery.
 Return to your luxurious suite and if the evening permits, why not ask a camp staff member to move your mounted four-post bed outside onto the deck for a night under the African sky.
Promotional pictures are now available. Sanctuary also has three other lodges in Botswana as well as lodges & camps in Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
Sanctuary Lodges & Camps |