Some 52km north of Nata, Elephant Sands, run by Mike and Saskia, is a fabulous place to stay. Excellent and spacious safari tents, some chalets and a few campsites encircle a natural water hole that is always filled with elephants – in the bar, restaurant and pool area, you'll be as close to wild elephants as it's possible to be.
Prices are extremely reasonable and when we were last here, a pride of nine lions called the surrounding area home and a pack of wild dogs passed through regularly when we were last here. Game drives and bushwalks are possible, breakfast/dinner costs P75/140, and there's a lunchtime snack menu.
It's 1.6km down a sand road off the Nata–Kasane road.