The Mokolodi Nature Reserve, located 12 kilometres south-west of Gaborone, has opened its doors for the Alexander McCall Smith Traditional Rest Camp in which the real life of Botswana can be experienced. Imagine up-close game viewing, a traditional dinner, drinks under the stars and an over-night stay in a Tswana/Mokolodi-style thatched hut. This is precisely the package that awaits visitors to Mokolodi Nature Reserve as of July 2008. Just like the park's other activities and services, the proceeds of the Rest Camp will directly fund the education and conservation projects of the reserve.

The Rest Camp, located in the southwestern part of the Reserve, is composed of five thatched huts with two beds each, and a Lolwapa where dinners can be served - all amidst esthetically placed leadwood and marula trees. The building styles have come directly from the neighbouring Mokolodi community and only natural attributes are used in the structures. The camp is rustic yet comfortable with running water, under-the-sky-showers, flush toilets and electricity. A groomed nature trail also leads the way from the camp to a neighbouring dam that offers great sunrises and sunsets and excellent game viewing.

The Rest Camp is surrounded by a historic stone wall, which dates back to 1901. It was built by Richard Transfeldt as a cattle kraal. Other reminders of the park's historical roots include ancient grinding stones and distinctive stone rings, which would have provided the foundation for the mud buildings of a Tswana village 200 years ago. The ruins are located within 50 metres of the camp and can be explored with a guide.

The project has received considerable financial backing from the Gaborone business community and personal contributions from author Alexander McCall Smith (The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency) and is a dream come true for the Park management. With McCall Smith's continued support for the initiative, as well as the expose of Mokolodi Nature Reserve in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Blue Shoes and Happiness, the camp has been coined the McCall Smith Rest Camp, in the esteemed author's honor.

Activities include a game drive, traditional dance, crafts, big game tracking, and accommodation in a thatched hut with traditional dinners, breakfast and lunch. The maximum capacity of the five huts is ten (five couples). The premises are open for bookings by both operators and individuals.