Eselbe Camp Backpackers
Botswana
At a glance
Eselbe Camp Backpackers is a relaxed, social base at 2347 in Nata, Botswana. Set beside the Nata River, the camp combines budget accommodation with a choice of camping and chalets, making it suitable for backpackers, cyclists, motorcyclists, road-trippers and travellers using public transport. The setting also works for shorter breaks, with a familiar atmosphere that encourages guests to meet and share travel stories.
The camp’s communal character centres on an outdoor fire pit, braai facilities and a large dining table. Open-air cooking gives the place a self-catering, sociable feel, while the shared table provides space for meals, conversation and exchanging travel ideas. A lounge with sofas and hammocks offers quieter places to read or rest, and Wi-Fi is available across the camp.
Outdoor activities are part of the stay. Guests can use the camp’s canoes and also find board games, volleyball, badminton and a golf challenge on site. Evenings lend themselves to fireside gatherings and stargazing, while the riverbank and surrounding vegetation support birdwatching and a peaceful connection with nature.
Eselbe Camp follows an ecological approach, using solar power and supporting recycling and zero-waste practices. The atmosphere is rustic, creative and informal, with shared areas designed for conversation rather than a resort-style experience. It suits independent travellers looking for flexible accommodation, simple outdoor living and opportunities to socialise with people from different routes and backgrounds.
Nata is well placed for journeys towards Maun and the Okavango Delta or towards Kasane and Chobe National Park. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are also accessible from the town, with elephants, giraffes and ostriches sometimes seen along the roadside. Nata Bird Sanctuary is around 20 minutes away by car and is known for seasonal gatherings of flamingos and pelicans. Eselbe Camp therefore works both as a practical stopover and as a base for exploring eastern Botswana, with the river setting adding a slower pace between drives.
