Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Tau Pan Camp
Tau Pan is the first permanent camp inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), famous for its breathtaking night skies and amazing scenery and cloud formations. Tau Pan Camp is situated on the edge of the beautiful Tau Pan and commands stunning views of the permanent Tau Pan water hole and the endless Kalahari horizon.
Situated on an established sand ridge overlooking Tau Pan, the camp has only eight custom-built desert rooms under thatch (including 1 family room). All rooms are en-suite and adapted to the surrounding environment. The main area consists of dining room, lounge area and a viewing deck. The camp also offers a swimming pool, interpretation centre/library and curio shop. Tau Pan Camp is adapted to the surrounding environment and runs on solar power.
After the summer rains, CKGR completely transforms as the blue sky fills with huge clouds, and the plains and pans burst into life with sweet grasses. This is one of the best game viewing areas in Botswana at that time of year, but not many people seem to be aware of it so visitors are few. CKGR is home to animals such as springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest in their thousands and is quite a sight to behold. Predators abound with plentiful lions – especially the famous Kalahari black-maned lion – cheetah, leopard and jackals
Activities include game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, stargazing and guided walks with a San bushman who will answer your questions regarding San culture, from birth to marriage to bush survival. Tau Pan is a national park, a very ecologically sensitive area, and for this reason no night drives or off-road driving is permitted.
Please note that the camps in the Kalahari offer true exposure to the bushmen, or San people, and not a “staged experience”. Today’s San people have integrated into western culture and are employed in many of the lodges in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and surrounding areas. Although they keep their traditions alive and provide a fascinating cultural perspective, they do not walk around in traditional clothing.
Where specific activities with San people are offered, these are sensitively presented in a non-patronising manner so as to avoid exploitation of these fascinating people.
Facilities
Thatched en-suite guest rooms. Dining room, lounge area, viewing deck, swimming pool, interpretation centre/library and curio shop.
Local Wildlife
Classic desert species such as oryx, springbok, bat-eared fox and tortoise. The desert comes alive in the rainy season bringing many zebra, wildebeest, antelopes and carnivores including black maned lion and cheetah. Honey badgers and brown hyena are also often seen here and around 220 bird species have been recorded.
Optional Activities
Game drives (daytime only) and San bushmen walks.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Make sure you sleep at least one night outside your room. The stars here are simply stunning.
If you have any questions regarding our Botswana tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Our best safari to date – exhilarating, luxurious, unforgettable.
We’re seasoned wildlife travellers, and the Letaka tented safari in Botswana exceeded all expectations. The experience offered exceptional access to nature, with wildlife roaming freely and unphased through camp – lions, wild dogs, honey badgers, and hyenas all made memorable appearances. Slightly scary, but utterly exhilarating.
Our guide was outstanding – deeply knowledgeable about wildlife, birds, plants, and geology, with expert tracking skills that consistently led us to the best sightings. They positioned the vehicle perfectly for photography, respected the animals’ space, and made us feel safe and cared for throughout. The camp staff were a formidable team, attentive and respectful, with thoughtful touches like hot water bottles in bed and inventive meals despite the challenges of cooking in the bush. The tented setup was surprisingly luxurious and deeply comfortable.
Game viewing was phenomenal: wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, bat-eared foxes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a spectacular murmuration of queleas at sunset. We even explored the majestic Baobab trees in Mababe reserve – an unforgettable moment. Thank you to the entire team for a truly exceptional safari. We’re already planning our next trip.