About Dqae Qare Camping
The game farm, Dqae Qare, is the only farm legally owned by San people in Botswana. The programme is run by the San, with facilitation by the Game Farm staff. Our extensive campsite is situated a short distance from the Lodge under large Kalahari thorn trees.
While visitors from the contemporary world gain an understanding of a very different environment to their own, the San benefit from the strengthening of their traditional knowledge and the value placed on this knowledge by the outside world.
Campsite
There are 10 individual campsites with traditional San grass windbreak enclosures, each including a circular fire pit with barbecue facilities. There is also a covered area available to guests and large groups. The ablution facilities have solar water heaters.
Some Ideas of What to Do at Dqae Qare Game Farm
Guided Bushwalks
Join the staff as they collect various berries and plants for different uses. This is a very rewarding experience and a chance to gather knowledge on the riches of the Kalahari Desert.
Traditional Dancing and Storytelling
Dancing and storytelling have always played a very important role in the culture of the Bushmen. The community of D'kar are always excited to visit the Reserve and share their traditional dancing with you. You are most welcome to join in!
Bushman Experience
For those wishing to delve into our traditional lifestyle, we offer the "Bushman Experience," which provides the opportunity to live with us in the veld and learn from the masters themselves. You can:
- Build your own grass hut.
- Track game by reading the messages they leave in the sand.
- Gather your food from the veld.
- Start your own fire with traditional sticks.
- Make jewellery from ostrich eggshell beads.
- Learn to play our games and participate in our traditional dances.
For the hardiest souls, you can do this in the true Bushman way with no modern facilities, or you can base yourself at the guesthouse or campsite and participate in your choice of cultural activities.
Game Drives
The Game Reserve is well-stocked, and you may see some of the following species of game and a wide variety of birds from your own vehicle or using the Reserve's safari vehicles:
- Eland, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe, Impala, Springbok, Kudu
- Ostrich, Steenbok, Duiker, Warthog
- Cheetah (migratory), Leopard (migratory), Caracal, Serval, Black-backed Jackal, Brown Hyena, Aardvark
- Numerous smaller species of mammals
Cultural Experience
A multi-day cultural experience is available on request, where you will participate in learning past skills and indigenous knowledge from members of the Bushmen community. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Hunting
Dqae Qare Game Reserve was initially stocked with various species of large mammals nearly ten years ago. Many of these animals are now ageing, and it has been decided that instead of losing some of these trophy-sized animals, it would be preferable to offer them to hunters.
In this way, the community generates significant income from their assets. Trophy hunting is available on the Reserve, and there is a programme underway to launch bow hunting.
This project will incorporate the traditional manufacture of bows and the poison used by the Bushmen, although all hunting will be done with modern compound bows. This programme will ensure that indigenous knowledge is not lost.