The Flowering Deserts of the Kalahari – by Tented Camp
Tour Introduction
We have timed this safari for when the rainy season is coming to an end in Botswana. This is when the deserts and salt pans of the Kalahari are in full bloom with flowers and new life, making it a photographer’s dream. Thousands of zebra and other herbivores migrate to the desert at this time making the most of the succulent new growth. This area is also home to a large number of desert-adapted resident animals such as brown hyaena, oryx, aardwolf, meerkat, bat-eared fox and stunning black-maned lions.
Being a desert area, rainfall is generally low here but passing cumulonimbus clouds will provide a dramatic background to your photos. A few of these will give some heavy showers, particularly in February and March. The safari takes you deep into the heart of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and far off the beaten track. You will travel to two different mobile camp locations with a single night at an excellent wildlife lodge at the start of the tour.
The abundance and diversity of wildlife in the region is astonishing. You can hope to see many of Africa’s larger ungulates, including elephant and giraffe. Carnivores present include spotted hyaena, cheetah, leopard and the unique black-maned lion, whilst African wild dogs make passes through the area. To a birder’s delight, around 250 bird species have been recorded in the CKGR.
An experienced naturalist guide will escort you throughout the nine days, taking you on multiple safari drives in an open-sided, four-wheel drive and providing all of your transfers. The friendly crew of camp staff ensure that the well-equipped campsite is set up at each location prior to your arrival, whilst a chef prepares high quality meals for you. A variety of drinks and refreshments are readily available, tents are ensuite, and the staff incredibly attentive, all helping to make sure your camping experience is comfortable and enjoyable. This is not camping as you might know it.
Sat around the campfire with your travel companions, under astounding starry night skies, listening to the whooping calls from a clan of spotted hyaena, or the humbling roar of a male lion, will live with you for a very long time.
Please note: tours are based on a minimum of 2 people with a maximum group size of 7. Transport will be in specially designed safari 4×4 with fridge and retractable canvas roof. Guaranteed window seat for each passenger. Minimum age for children is 12 years.
Full Itinerary
Fly Johannesburg to Maun. Met and Maun Airport and transfer to Leroo La Tau, on the western bank of the Boteti River, which forms the boundary of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. First game drive in the open safari vehicle at sunset.
Staying at Leroo La Tau. Includes Dinner.
Today you will head to the north western area of the Central Kalahari, to your next private mobile camp in the Passarge Valley. You will drive through seemingly endless dune fields and have the chance of seeing ostrich, giraffe and hyaena amongst many other animals that inhabit this part of the Kalahari.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Passarge Valley. Includes All Meals.
The exceptionally remote Passarge Valley is a wildlife-rich wilderness in pristine condition. The grasses here are highly nutritious thanks to the topography and geology of the area. The valley is particularly good for spotting the unique black-maned lions of the Kalahari, as well as the endangered African wild dog. Other mammals that can be seen include the aardwolf, meerkat, eland and bat-eared fox.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Passarge Valley. Includes All Meals.
Full day looking for wildlife in the Passarge Valley region.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Passarge Valley. Includes All Meals.
After departing the Passarge Valley, you will travel east across the remote vegetated dune‑fields and the broad Leopard and San Pans. The journey is wonderfully atmospheric, with a packed lunch and a relaxed siesta break en route. By late afternoon you arrive in the iconic Deception Valley, where you will be based for the next four nights in one of the most wildlife‑rich regions of the Central Kalahari.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Deception Valley. Includes All Meals.
The following day offers a fuller introduction to the area. A relative oasis within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, this once river valley (it flowed thousands of years ago) is grassed and bordered by wooded dunes. Predators are a key feature here, with cheetah, a resident pride of lion and several leopard regularly recorded. Dawn and dusk are also good times to look for the crepuscular brown hyaena as it moves between the pans.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Deception Valley. Includes All Meals.
Another full day is spent looking for wildlife in the Deception Valley region. The pans often hold good‑sized herds of blue wildebeest, oryx and springbok, while giraffe and greater kudu browse along the verges and the islands of the pan. It’s a productive area throughout the day, with activity shifting as temperatures rise and fall.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Deception Valley. Includes All Meals.
Alongside excellent game viewing, this area offers rewarding birding. Flocks of Ostrich are often seen on the pans, while the southern slopes hold species such as Rufous‑eared Warbler. Around the pan islands near camp you may encounter Crimson‑breasted Shrike, several lark and sparrowlark species, Yellow Canary, Buffy Pipit, Kalahari Robin, and both Violet‑eared and Black‑cheeked Waxbills, with Black Crow also frequently recorded.
Staying at Letaka Tented Camp Deception Valley. Includes All Meals.
A final morning activity in the incredible Kalahari before you exit the CKGR and continue to the nearby Haina Kalahari Airstrip. From here you board your charter flight to Maun, arriving back in civilisation in time to check in for the lunchtime flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Leroo La Tau
Overview
This 4-star lodge, run by Desert and Delta safaris, is up there with the best regarding wildlife watching potential from your doorstep.
Leroo La Tau is located on the bank of the Boteti River. This waterway forms the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. After being completely dried up for 20 years due to sustained years of drought, the river has once again flowed since 2009 thanks to heavy seasonal rains in the Okavango.
A major drawcard to the Boteti River is to witness one of the largest zebra migrations in Southern Africa. The zebra population here swells as they come to graze on the valley’s nutrient-rich grasses, as part of their annual passage between the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi salt pans. Many other herbivorous species are present, and with them, predators including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena.
Each suite looks directly over the valley, and a purpose built hide down the riverbank provides exceptional big game viewing. Fabulous breakfasts and lunches are served along with three course dinners, that are eaten in a communal setting along with other guests.
A small pool provides an ideal way to cool off after a safari drive or walk, and the lodge’s staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. An optional night sleeping under the stars, out on the salt pan is possible.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Outdoor swimming pool, communal fire pit area, game-viewing hide, bar, dining area and lounge, small shop selling locally made crafts and souvenirs and a large communal deck for dining and socialising.
A daily laundry service is included in your stay, and there is a library above the reception area that is well stocked with books and games. The Wi-Fi is patchy but good enough in the main building.
The 'open' bar means you are free to help yourself to a selection of beverages at any time.
All of the suites have a ceiling fan, en suite bathroom and private veranda overlooking the river valley below.
Local Wildlife
Lion, cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena, jackal, caracal, genet, zebra, elephant, giraffe, steenbok, wildebeest, Chobe bushbuck, impala, kudu, porcupine, crocodile, hippo
Optional Activities
Guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, boat excursions (dependent on water level), cultural excursions to Khumaga village, day trips to Nxai pan and Baines Baobabs, and a 'sleep out under the stars' experience.
Letaka Mobile Tented Camps
Overview
A mobile safari tour is an intrepid and unique way of experiencing Africa’s remaining wilderness regions. Venturing further off the increasingly beaten bush trails of Southern Africa is likely to reward you with extraordinary wildlife viewing. Within Botswana, Letaka Safaris are experts in this type of tour. Their access to private reserves and remote campsites, exceptional staff, and superb regional knowledge, provides them with a cutting edge.
A team of guides and crew will join you and your travel companions, setting up the mobile camp at each location along your itinerary route. The safari chef and camp assistants will ensure you are well supplied with excellent meals, which are eaten in a communal setting with your companions. Drinking water, soft drinks and a selection of alcoholic beverages are all included in your stay. Mobile showers are even available within your private ensuite area, adjacent to your tent.
Their modern fleet of open-sided, four-wheel drive vehicles ensure excellent wildlife viewing potential in comfort, whilst the guides are highly professional and experienced.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
The tents are a 4 x 3m Sahara style with a high roof, 2 x 3m ensuite bathroom and a 2 x 3m covered (open-sided) private porch area.
Solid base camp beds made up with mattresses, sheets, duvets and pillows. Ensuite areas consist of a long drop toilet and a bucket shower. Showers can be ordered as hot, cold or warm. *The guide withholds the right to limit water use and showering depending upon the availability of water. Towels and basic toiletries provided.
Tents have an oil/paraffin lamp on the veranda and in the bathroom and within the tent itself, a LED rechargeable camp light is supplied.
Local Wildlife
Depending on the region and campsite location, certain species may be more prevalent and easier to spot than others. In the Kalahari, Okavango and Chobe regions however, you could possibly see: Lion (including black-maned), cheetah, leopard, brown hyena, spotted hyena, wild dog, aardwolf, caracal, honey badger, elephant, giraffe, zebra, greater kudu, impala, gemsbok, steenbok, springbok, oryx and eland. Hundreds of bird species including good numbers of raptors and ostrich are present.
Optional Activities
Game drives, bushmen guided walks, mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) excursions.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Includes the charter flight from Haina Kalahari Airstrip back to Maun Airport.
Best Visited:
March to June
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Do remember to bring a headtorch, an invaluable piece of kit for when camping. You’ll need one to wander from the campfire back to your tent late at night, read a book in bed, or for rummaging through your bags early in the morning in preparation for a sunrise safari drive.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, 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.
