Ralph Bousfield and Catherine Raphaely founded the Uncharted Africa Safari Co. in 1993 in memory of Ralph'slegendary father, Jack. Determined to preserve the ideals and atmosphere of Jack's original operations, Ralph and Catherine have created a safari experience that is truly 'out there' ! Besides the original Jack's Camp, they built San Camp, Planet Baobab and Camp Kalahari, and also run mobile tented expeditions and Bushman safaris in the Makgakidgadi Pans and the Kalahari Desert.
Old Jack Bousfield would be happy to know that his rustic camps in the middle of nowhere have not become flash bush hotels, rather that a close experience with nature is a luxury itself. Never fear, there is no 'roughing it" here - you'll sleep in pure cotton sheets and feather bedding and eat delicious and elegantly presented food. Traditional style is no way compromised in terms of comfort.
All of the camps have a completely unique and individual feeling. This originality has become an Uncharted Africa trademark and runs through the whole operation from the decor of the tents to the personality of your guide.
Excursions and safari expeditions on to the salt pans and into the Kalahari desert are fun, educational and unforgettable experiences. And there is always a sensitive approach to marginal environments and sensitive community issues. Special Interest expeditions take place depending on the season, often to areas that are closed to other operators. The most fascinating are a series of Bushman safaris, an unbelievable opportunity to witness a disappearing ritual like an initiation hunt. Other activities include quad bike safaris across the salt pans ,camping under the stars and visiting the famous resident meerkats.
Each of the camps is a delight -conceptualised, built and managed personally by Ralph and Catherine and their 'family' of talented carpenters, tailors, chefs and warm staff.
Jacks Camp Jack Bousfield's original campsite, chosen foris remote location in a harsh environment in what he considered to be the most beautiful corner of the earth. Over the years hundreds of visitors, many of them celebrities from all over the world, have left enthralled and entranced.
San Camp A homage to old-fashioned romance, set seemingly at the edge of the world, where the emphasis is on detailed simplicity and the bliss of nothingness.
Planet Baobab A contemporary camp fit for the Little Prince, Planet Baobab is fun and funky and in the middle of nowhere. It attracts colourful cross-continentals on a lesser budget.
Camp Kalahari The latest camp in Uncharted's quiver, Camp Kalahari a campsite that old Jack built, is set on a 'way out there' on the edge of a salt pan the size of Switzerland. Located in amongst Acacia trees on Hyena Island, an idea vantage point to watch desert life in the green season, or to put on an eccentric 'Lawrence of Arabia' act in the dry white season.
