Tau Pan is the first semi-permanent camp inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and offers truly incredible views from the ridge of an ancient sand dune, an unusual experience in a land as flat as Botswana, and overlooks the famous Tau Pan - recognised for its stark beauty and remoteness.
‘Tau’ which means lion in Setswana, is so named for the pride of iconic black-maned Kalahari lions who frequent the camp.
Activities offered at Tau Pan are game drives, day trips to the well-known Deception Valley, Sunday, Piper and Passarge Pans, star gazing, bush brunches on Tau Pan, and nature walks with Bushman trackers. Wildlife that can be found in the Kalahari include oryx, the desert-adapted springbok, jackals, the rare brown hyena, red-crested Korhaan and herds of wildebeest.
Game drives are undertaken in game viewing vehicles seating no more than 6 guests at a time in 2 rows of 3 seats. Guests are guided by a 2 person team of professional guide and tracker. The 2 person team enables the guide to communicate points of interest and interrelations that exist throughout the natural world, while the tracker ensures no sightings or tracks are missed.
Walking safaris in Africa's wild areas is the only way to truly appreciate the natural environment. There is nothing as awe inspiring and humbling as observing wild animals on foot. Many smaller species of plants and insects, tracks and signs are all easily missed when in a vehicle. The slow pace of the walk and interpretative skills of your guide will open your eyes to a new and fascinating world.
Tau Pan Camp consists of 9 environmentally adapted en-suite tents including 1 family tent, which are set on raised decks.
The central area houses the dining room, lounge and game viewing and star gazing deck and all areas are connected by sand path walkways. Other facilities include a swimming pool, library and curio shop.
Rates Include
All meals; local beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic); all game viewing activities; a laundry service; and emergency medical evacuation cover (to a regional medical facility) are included.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome during non-peak periods. Between 15 November and end March the minimum age for children is 6 years and older. Rates available on request. Private vehicles are compulsory when travelling with children under 12 years.
Programmes vary for each family and are based on the ages, gender and interests of the children. The guide's aim is to not only keep them entertained but ensure that they learn a great deal under their expert guidance.
Activities on offer include spoor castings, using spotlights, fishing, mammal, bird and plant identification, making greeting cards out of natural materials and identifying wildlife sounds at night. The staff also involve the children in camp duties and they are often found preparing snacks for their game drives with the chefs!
General Information For Guests
The rooms are en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers and double sinks, fan, safe and spacious lounge area. Outside there is a verandah offering a spectacular view of the pan.
There is also a 2 bedroom family tent available situated close to the main area, which is made up of a main room and an extra room with win beds - but in all other respects the family room is identical to the other rooms.
The main area of the camp includes an open bar, swimming pool, lounge and dining areas all set around the fireplace, which is the ideal spot for game viewing down to the waterhole. A laundry service is offered on a complimentary basis and credit card services are also available.
The game drives involves both a guide and tracker, this adds to the experience on 2 levels. You have 2 sets of eyes searching out the action, looking for tracks – this ensures a good chance of sightings, especially predators. In addition, having the tracker out front, concentrating on tracking, means that the guide is more able to talk to clients, keep them informed and to answer any questions.
As Tau Pan is within a National Park the lodge has to follow the regulations, and as such is not permitted to drive at night nor off road.
In addition to game drives informative nature walks are available with the trackers who are all bushmen from the Central Kalahari. Star gazing is also offered here, under the impressive Kalahari night sky.
