Eselbe Camp | Established Campground

December 30th, 2023 by excessivebeauty75

Only good times shared with Rupert who is always attentive to people's needs. We stayed almost 10 days waiting for our van to be repaired. Not great luxury but everything you need for a nice little stay. (all amenities in Nata and buses to all destinations). We recommend

December 27th, 2023 by t_i_g_g_r

What a place! Agree with everything said before and more. We arrived for Christmas and had the best 3 days with Rupert, Luvey and Debby the volunteer. We had so much fun cooking, eating, drinking, playing mini golf, sitting on the floating bar, canoeing together. The place is truly unique and it is obvious how much love has gone into building it bit by bit. Don't expect a polished neat product when they live almost completely off grid! Beers are 35 pula but you are allowed to bring your own. Rupert let us join him on his daily trip to the supermarket. Drinking water provided for free in the kitchen. Even though we didn't eat the meals provided every night we were still welcomed to eat our own with everyone at the table. 3 very friendly dogs for company. Friendly backpacker vibes only :)

August 17th, 2023 by berlintocapetown

Awesome spot! Beautiful space, with so much attention to detail:) Rupert and his 2 Workaways welcomed us and we had a fun evening together over dinner and stories at the fire. Even in the dry season there was some water in the river, but hippos around so we didn’t swim. Happy to meet some likeminded people and use the wonderfully equipped cozy kitchen. We got drinking water in Nata as the water here is quite salty, but fine for cooking. Sandy campspots with shade, and a nice chill space/ bar overlooking river. A bit of a sandy driveway (300m) so we pushed our bicycles.
125P pppn
Thanks Rupert!

July 29th, 2023 by nickianddave

Nice Bush camps outside the little complex. The campsite itself is super, a great quirky/backpacker vibe with eclectic areas to sit and a raised bar. A well stocked kitchen is free to use or you can join the team for dinner. Nice shower and toilet with hot water fuelled by a donkey boiler. We were welcomed and looked after by the young work away team as Rupert was away for the night. what a great, friendly and relaxed place. Canoes available to use for free. 125 pula pppn

July 21st, 2023 by atelierfb

a very pleasant camp with a very friendly atmosphere. well located and very comfortable, I love it!

July 19th, 2023 by Nomad Katia

Really cool place, and Ruppert makes everyone feel at home. Access from the main road (500m) has some pockets of deep sand, but manageable with a motorcycle (deflate the tires a bit).

July 16th, 2023 by @michaeldmacdonald

In 16 months of cycling this might be one of our favourite campsites. It’s really chilled with a great communal vibe. There’s a wonderful chill out area with a little bar, chess board, sofa and, (best of all!) an “infestation” of bush babies jumping from branch to branch. We stayed three nights and every day we spent chatting with other campers - there’s lots of communal space that gives it a old-school friendly hostel vibe whilst also having enough space to camp in peace - especially if you’re on one of the spots outside the gate.

Rupert the owner, cooks a great dinner (115p) served around 19:30, which everyone eats together. There isn’t potable water here (as is the case for everywhere in Nata) but you can buy it from the water place by the junction in town, or here at the campsite for a little more.

May 16th, 2023 by antalleke

Spent 2 night here, 10t truck squeezed in, no probs. Super location on the river, foc canoos, sweet chicken and dogs plus the friendly bush babies around the site. 125pppn is good value. Kids half price. Option to eat along and use the kitchen too.

January 7th, 2023 by matthew-shields

Really lovely camp. As others have already said, if you want a camp with a relaxed communal vibe, then definitely come here! They have some activities in and around the camp on the river, and Rupert can help arrange a trip to Nata Bird Sanctuary via Nata Lodge. We camped and prepared our own food, but Rupert had a braai going and was happy for us to use it when we got back from the pans, he got it ready for us!
Also they have resident Bush Babies in the communal hut!

December 22nd, 2022 by sarahelizabethhelm

Would highly recommend a stop here - as many of the other reviews have said the vibe of the campsite is fantastic - Rupert (and Isabelle) have created a really brilliant place that combines community and solid amenities (good wifi, hot water, clean ablutions and a comfortable communal area that caters to connecting w fellow travellers or sitting and reading in a hammock). Would absolutely stay here again! We did self catering / self- camping but meals and tents can be provided.

December 15th, 2022 by peter.lorena

Loved our stay at Eselbe camp, campsites quite close together but we were the only ones camping, nice spot under a big marula tree. very social atmosphere, had a beer and a chat with the owner and the other guests in the evening. felt more like friends we haven't seen in a while then strangers. definitely worth a visit, we checked out other locations in nata and this was definitely the best.

November 18th, 2022 by hippojunior

Very nice quiet camp on the Nata River with a very nice environment. Rupert the owner is very friendly. It's all very familiar. There is a campsite and various tents to sleep in. Also a kitchen, good toilets and showers. Canoes on the river are for free use. By arrangement evening and morning meals. Camping P125 pp Backpacker's Tent from P185 pp.

August 19th, 2022 by jmbrons

Eselbe is a nice camp. There are two campsites inside the property, new ones are just built just outside the fence, but will be included soon. Showers are warm, Rupert is a great host, vibes are good and the sight looks beautiful!

July 21st, 2022 by homesofafrica.com

Great place! When we arrived we almost turned around when we saw the two small campsites, but it turned our there are plenty more places to camp.

We had such an awesome time here, owner Rupert is so helpful and relaxed and the vibe is really nice. Our kids were more then welcome and spend days searching for all painted ‘hidden’ stones. Together with the other guests we had two memorable camp nights around the fire. Ask Rupert to make his camping pizza.

Would definitely recommend to stay here if you are in the area!

June 27th, 2022 by die_Stroompies

Had a lovely stay under a huge Maroela tree. The hart of this place lies in the owner, Rupert, who was the perfect host. We arrived late, the communal fire was ready and we had an awesome braai together.

May 21st, 2022 by travelschool101

Fun place to spend a couple of day. Can canoe for free. Social atmosphere. Lots of recycling, solar power, reduced water usage. Wifi was great, when it worked.
125pp/pn. No electricy at sites. Very small with about 4 camping spots and a few tents you can rent.

March 11th, 2022 by Chris

Nice just, relaxed atmosphere, friendly host. Camping in own tent 110 bwp.

November 14th, 2021 by Escapethehague_overlanding

Nice little campsite next to the river (still full of water when we were there). Very good atmosphere and Rupert was a great host! Fully equipped communal kitchen and nice relax area's. Pressure in the showers was low when we were there and water had a sulphor smell/taste. Paid 110p per person.

November 9th, 2021 by nstroebitzer

By far the best camp in nata. Not too much space for campers but we were the only one there so that was no issue. Rupert is a fantastic host and toilets, showers and so on are in good condition and overall the atmosphere is really great. Also good food on request, but basically more suited for self catering.

Also did quadbiking in the makadigadi at atv adventurous company which was also supercool!

August 5th, 2021 by Roetje&Jannie

Cozy campsite with relaxed atmosphere. Perfect place to meet fellow travellers and enjoy conversations around the campfire. Rupert and Silvia are great hosts and make you feel welcome.
Definitely the nicest place in Nata.

July 27th, 2021 by yellyellyell

Beautiful small and personal camp. Just a few pitches - quirky, creative, built from scratch feel to the camp with staff always building and adding to the features. Very sociable camp with communal meals around the fire. Can use canoes for free to play on the river. Really wonderful hosts in Rupert and Silvia . Deffo recommend!

July 27th, 2021 by ahayuval

Wonderful place!
Camp 110pp/pn.
Hot shower, nice place to sit with couch. Fireplace and kitchen.

January 8th, 2021 by roads2africa

Lovely small campsite. Camping is 100 pulas per person per night. Owner Rupert is a really nice guy. Rupert and Silvia recently built a nice chalet that you can stay in for 650 pulas per night for 2 persons. Well equipped kitchen offered and laundry on demand.

August 1st, 2020 by Hudriwudri

Small but cute campsite, very social and Rupert is amazing to talk to.

October 28th, 2019 by florechab

We had an awesome stay at Eselbe Camp. The place is lovely and Rupert is a really wonderful host. We had great talks. We felt immediately at home. Perfect place if you want to meet people. It was also so nice to see water. We took a bath into the river. Not the best bath ever but really refreshing, and special! We warmly recomand that place. 100p per person for camping. Hot shower and great kitchen. You can also take the canoes for free to explore the river!

September 27th, 2019 by charlotte.allancon

Cozy little campsite with very friendly and helpful owner, great communal table, fireplace and kitchen available to use. Free access to canoes on the Nata river. Simple outdoor ablutions. Lovely cats and dog. 100 pula pppn.

September 16th, 2019 by stahlroth.com

Very nice place. Rupert is a lovely host. It is a small place, it is true there is not a real privacy here, BUT for us it is always a pleasure to other people.

August 13th, 2019 by fisico688

The owner might be a good guy.
However he was not even bothered to answer my request about only having a shower. For a paid campsite it is not worth the 100 Pula he asks for! There is no privacy and you are basically camping in the parking area where everyone else passes by. That is the reason why did not want to overnight there and only asked for a shower after a few days in the bush.

August 12th, 2019 by david.coutts.trotter

We had a very short but great stay. Arrived after dark and were warmly welcomed by Rupert and other guests (and yes the cats and dog!!). The campsite (and chalets) are really nicely done. Showers are hot and ability to use fully kitted kitchen and tables, chairs etc was very useful for short stay.
Had really interesting conversations etc with Rupert and other guests around the fire after dinner. Eselbe is a great new overnight option near Nata as a couple of others are getting tired and lack energy.
Good value place to stay (P100 pppn).

August 10th, 2019 by hmedina.geonomad

Fantastic place. Rupert very good host. Atmosphere is excellent. He has tented accommodation and dorms as well as camping. Paid 100P for one person camping. Beware coordinates are wrong in previous postings.

March 21st, 2019 by lukas-steiner.com

Beautiful spot right at the river! this place has charme and one of the best kitchen I had so far on this trip! So if you are into cooking stop at choppies in town and you are good to go! Totally recommend this place over the mainstream spots in town. Enjoy the peacefulness

November 27th, 2018 by Peter & Lisa

Great camping. Small and basic bit with a lovely owner who is full of ideas to improve the site and its surroundings.
GPS location of the campsite is not accurate and gives it 400 m South of the correct one. There is a sign at the A33.

November 26th, 2018 by benbeck84

Awesome campsite/backpackers place! Rupert, the owner, is suce a nice guy that really cares about you. Very good vibes. We loved the dog, cats and sheeps. Great place to visit!

October 1st, 2018 by VESPANDA ILARIO

Very nice campsite! Rupert, the owner, is a very good man! A+++

May 6th, 2018 by doafrica

See below. We also think it's a lovely campsite. There are 4 campsites - the campsites are not very big, but we were the only campers so no problem for us - a chalet and 2 tents. Our kids (2 and 4) loved the place. The canoe trip was great. The owner is very friendly. We paid P150 (2 adults). We recommend this place.

January 6th, 2018 by Sophie

Lovely campsite on the river, safe to swim. We did a canoe trip on the river and had a nice fire and braai with the owner under a stunning sky full of stars. A very pretty place with amazing birdlife. Ablution block with sinks, flushing toilets and warm showers. Accessible with a normal car. No electricity at the campsites. No official restaurant but there are dinner and breakfast options.