Tau Pan Camp: A Kalahari Oasis

Tau Pan Camp provides a unique and immersive safari experience in the heart of Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). As the first permanent camp in the CKGR, Tau Pan offers unparalleled views from its location on a low sand ridge, overlooking the expansive Tau Pan and the surrounding plains. The camp is named after the Setswana word for lion, 'Tau', due to the frequent visits from the iconic black-maned Kalahari lions. The camp comes alive during the summer rains (December to May), attracting large concentrations of wildlife. Animals such as springbok, gemsbok, and migrating zebra and wildebeest gather on the pans, drawing in predators like cheetahs and black-backed jackals. This period offers some of Botswana's best game viewing with fewer crowds compared to other popular safari destinations. Tau Pan Camp has nine luxury en-suite tents constructed on raised decks, offering spectacular views. Each tent features a king-sized double bed, a living area, and both indoor and outdoor showers. The main area is built around a fireplace, creating a cozy spot for observing wildlife at the nearby waterhole. The camp is eco-friendly, utilizing solar power and a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system. Activities at Tau Pan include game drives in 4x4 vehicles, guided nature walks with Bushman trackers, day trips to Deception Valley, and stargazing. The Bushman trackers share their knowledge of the Kalahari, including ancient survival techniques and medicinal plants.