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Tau Pan Lodge

Tau Pan Lodge

Central Kalahari, Botswana

Tau Pan Lodge

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Tau Pan was the first semi-permanent camp to be established in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, opening up a whole new area for game viewing safaris. Set on a ridge overlooking a permanent waterhole and the vast expanse of surrounding bushland, it offers an authentic base from which to explore the reserve’s incredible range of wildlife from antelope and wildebeest to leopard and lion.

The lovely central lodge area makes a scenic place to relax, featuring a spacious outside deck complete with pool and shaded sunloungers. There’s also a communal dining area and an open fire pit where guests can gather for sundowners, exchanging tales from their day out in the bush.

OUR OPINION:

With a wonderful elevated position in the Central Kalahari, we think this camp is ideal for those who want a genuine safari experience away from the Delta hotspots.

OUR RATING: First Class

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Photos of Tau Pan Lodge

  • Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
    Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
  • Black-maned lion, Central Kalahari
    Black-maned lion, Central Kalahari
  • Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
    Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
  • Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
    Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
  • Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
    Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
  • Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
    Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
  • Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari
    Tau Pan Lodge, Central Kalahari

Rooms

The camp offers a small number of custom-built desert chalets, each set on a raised deck with a thatched roof to keep them cool. The chalets are spacious and positioned on a ridge, allowing for a refreshing breeze and magnificent views down to the man-made waterhole and Tau Pan beyond. Furnished in a simple style, their high ceilings and wooden furniture give them a rustic, traditional feel. Each chalet has a double or twin beds, an indoor and outdoor shower and an outside deck furnished with comfy chairs so you can sit out and enjoy the views.

Location

The camp is situated in the heart of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which at 52,800 square kilometers is the largest game reserve in the world. Set on the ridge of an ancient sand dune, the camp has wonderful views over the vast, flat landscape of the reserve and the remote Tau Pan. A diverse range of wildlife can be seen within the reserve, including lion, leopard, zebra, springbok and, occasionally, wild dogs.

Food and drink

Breakfasts are served early in the morning around the fire, consisting of tea and coffee, porridge and freshly baked muffins. Meals are fitted in around your safaris so that you can make the most of your time out in the bush. Dinners are served communally in the central lodge’s dining area, where you can exchange stories with fellow guests and enjoy sundowners as the sun sets.

Families

The camp has a family chalet and has guides who specialize in inspiring children to appreciate the wildlife. Those on a family safari have use of a private vehicle, guide and tracker, and as the camp is unfenced their guide will accompany children through the camp. Child-friendly activities offered include spoor castings, fishing, bird and plant identification, identifying night sounds and doing crafts.

Facilities and activities

There’s a small pool out on the main deck offering uninterrupted views over the landscape, as well as shaded sun loungers where you can relax with a refreshing drink. Activities are centered around game viewing, although you can also take part in stargazing sessions once the reserve falls into darkness.

Environmental and social responsibility

The camp is operated by Kwando Safaris, whose camps are all fully-owned by local communities and are almost entirely staffed by citizens of Botswana. The camp has been constructed with environmental protection in mind, using only solar power to generate electricity, heat and pump water. It uses a state-of-the-art water treatment plant so that all waste water is returned to the natural landscape without polluting it.

Tour ideas in Central Kalahari

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Tau Pan Lodge as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.

    Central Kalahari and nearby places