Polentswa Tented Camp

Panoramic view of Polentswa Tented CampPanoramic view of Polentswa Tented Camp
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Location

Polentswa Tented Camp is located 222 km from Two Rivers along the predator rich Nossob Valley on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The camp is nestled amongst tall trees and dwarf shrubs. In contrast to Rooiputs, Polentswa's accommodation is a classic unfenced tented camp capturing the romance of a nostalgic bygone era....

Polentswa tented campPolentswa tented camp

To get to this stunning tented camp, drive past the Polentswa campsite on the Wilderness trail road. The camp is just 6 kilometers from the main road, 60 kilometers from Nossob camp and 200 kilometers from Rooiputs luxury lodge.

You will cross the Nossob river and drive past the lonely old grave sight of Hans Schwabe (read more in our trip report), it makes for an interesting stop and some nice landscape photography....

Old grave sight near Polentswa Tented CampOld grave sight

About Polentswa Tented Camp

Polentswa Tented Camp is truly an amazing place, built high on a red sand dune, with sweeping views of the Polentswa pan below and overlooking their very own waterhole.....

Polentswa boma and tent viewPolentswa boma and tent view

We had the privilege of being the very first guests to stay at the camp (before it opened)! We were staying at Rooiputs Lodge and the owner allowed us to spend a few nights at Polentswa so that we could get a feel for the camp. 

We had no idea what to expect but what we saw we fell in love with! The sheer remoteness of the lodge is what guarantees your peace and quiet -  just you the pan and the animals. The scenery is fantastic and we had lions roaring every night!

(Please see our Kgalagadi trip report to read how we tracked the lions down twice while doing a self drive safari.)

The lodge has both electricity and internet access.

Polentswa Tent camp lounge HDRHDR image of the lounge area

The main building consists of a restful reading area, a spacious lounge area with a splendid view of the pan. Here you can either recline with a sun downer and a good book, watch the water hole and visiting game or merely contemplate the desert.

The furnishings reflect the spirit and essence of an authentic tented safari camp......

HDR image of Polentswa camps lounge and viewHDR image of Polentswa camps lounge

The Polentswa pan is also known for its magnificent sunsets. Mario used HDR to capture the below images.... 

HDR image of the setting sun over the panHDR image of the setting sun over the pan
HDR image of the Sunset over the panHDR image of the Sunset over the pan

and these images below where taken using a slip neutral density filter...

Sunset over Polentswa panSunset over Polentswa pan
Dramatic sunset at PolentswaDramatic sunset at Polentswa

Food and Drink

This is the bar area before they opened the lodge, Mario and I enjoyed playing barman..... 

Drinks in Polentswa BarDrinks in Polentswa Bar

and the bar once the lodge was opened, there was a splendid selection of wines for the perfect accompaniment to our meals.....

Polentswa barthe now opened bar

the large dining area is where we had breakfast/brunch and high tea.......

Dining room view from behind barview from behind bar
View from dining area at Polentswa campView from dining area

All our meals were a treat - we had wonderful 3-course dinners with wine on tap; some of our meals were in the dining area......

Lunch at Polentswa campLunch at Polentswa
Lunch time at Polentswa camp with Astrid and the manager

some on the viewing deck; where you can either do star gazing through the telescope or enjoy a romantic dinner for two....

Boma and Viewing deckBoma and Viewing deck
Polentswa staff setting up for dinnersetting up for dinner
Romantic Dinner for two on the viewing deckRomantic Dinner for two on the viewing deck

and some meals in the boma, which is in front of the main lodge; here you can also warm yourselves before or after dinner while watching the waterhole or pan for any animal activity......

Polentswa camp and boma at nightPolentswa camp and boma at night
Boma dinner set up at Polentswa Tented CampBoma dinner set up
boma sunset at Polentswa tented campMario and I watching the sunset and waterhole
Boma dinner starter at PolentswaBoma dinner starters

with excellent service, great food and a lovely view, how can you go wrong! 

Dishing up our boma dinnerDishing up our boma dinner

Accommodation

Wooden walkway to the tentsWooden walkway to the tents

Open wooden walkways lead from the main area to six classic safari tents, one is a family tent, one a luxury desert tent/honeymoon tent and 4 standard tents all built on raised wooden platforms.

Polentswa safari tentPolentswa safari tent

The safari tents have a sleeping area and a desk....

Polentswa tent inside viewTent bedroom

The family and honeymoon tents are bigger and allows for a small sitting area....

Inside Polentswa TentInside view of the tent

all the tents have en-suite bathrooms with hand basin, a separate toilet and a surprising yet exhilarating outside shower open to the desert and the stars.... (the outdoor shower is great for the summer months but not so great for the winter months)

the outdoor shower with a view at Polentswa campthe outdoor shower with a view

you will have sweeping views of the Polentswa pan from your bed, the pan is normally littered by antelopes in the early mornings.

The comfortable veranda is screened from your neighbours which allows you to enjoy the glorious Kgalagadi sky at night or enjoy a sundowner.....

HDR image of the inside of Polentswa camps safari tentHDR image from the inside looking out

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The gorgeous scenery of the surrounding sand dunes, grassy pan and waterhole, can be viewed either from the main area and viewing deck situated in the middle of the eight luxury tents or from some of the tents themselves. 

From this viewpoint we saw Gemsbok, Springbok, Blue Wildebeest, Kori Bustard, plenty of Red Hartebeest and that was just the start of it.... 

Kori bustard in the KalahariKori bustard in the Kalahari
Gemsbok at Polentswa camp waterholeGemsbok at Polentswa camp waterhole
Red hartebeest on pan in front of Polentswa campRed hartebeest on pan in front of Polentswa camp
Gemsbok at night, image taken from Polentswa campGemsbok at night, image taken from Polentswa camp
Red Hartebeest in front of Polentswa campRed Hartebeest in front of Polentswa camp

Activities

Polentswa tented camp does not have a swimming pool due to water problems in the area, but lovely spa treatments will relax you. 

Star gazing is another treat that awaits you at the lodge....

stars over Polentswa panstars over Polentswa pan

The whole northern area and the many waterholes are great for Landscape photography!

HDR image of the Sunrise over Polentswa waterholeHDR image of the Sunrise over Polentswa waterhole
Bedinkt waterhole in the KgalagadiBedinkt waterhole in the Kgalagadi

Polentswa gives you an option of guided game drives or self-drives, we love the flexibility that is given to the guests!

Photographic Safari at Polentswa campPhotographic Safari at Polentswa camp

we enjoyed both and had some great drives along the Nossob River and explored the northern section of the park. We had some amazing sightings of lion, cheetah, leopard, hyenas, birds and some great rainbows and other animalscapes....

Rainbow over the KalahariRainbow over the Kalahari
HDR image taken of a rainbow over the Kgalagadi with dramatic skyHDR image taken of a rainbow over the Kgalagadi with dramatic sky
Animalscape of Blue Wildebeest and SpringbokAnimalscape of Blue Wildebeest and Springbok
two lionesses on sand dunetwo lionesses on sand dune
Lion footprints heading up the roadLion footprints heading up the road
Animalscape of cheetah crossing the Nossob river to his three matescheetah crossing the Nossob river to his three mates
Gemsbok in the flowers during a dust stormGemsbok in the flowers during a dust storm
HDR image of a Cheetah wanting to cross the Nossob river at Unions endHDR image of a Cheetah wanting to cross the Nossob river at Unions end
playtime for leopard cub Tobago and his mom Safranplaytime for leopard cub Tobago and his mom Safran
Young male Lions at LijersdraaiYoung male Lions at Lijersdraai
Kori bustard and red hartebeest at Polentswa waterholeKori bustard and red hartebeest at Polentswa waterhole
Whitebacked vultures in Camelthorn treeWhitebacked vultures in Camelthorn tree
Brown hyena drinking at Polentswa waterhole with White Storks behindBrown hyena drinking at Polentswa waterhole with White Storks behind
Male lion drinking at Polentswa waterhole with black-back JackalMale lion drinking at Polentswa waterhole with black-back Jackal looking on

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For more information about Polentswa tented camp and Rooiputs luxury lodge please contact Ta Shebube by clicking here


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