About Deception Valley Lodge
Deception Valley Lodge is a traditional family-run lodge on the outskirts of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).
Because it is set in a private reserve, there is more flexibility with activities than in the neighbouring national park – meaning they offer day and night drives and extended walks, all accompanied by qualified guides and Bushman trackers.
Deception Valley Lodge is decidedly traditional, with very hands-on owners who will often guide, or at the very least try to meet every guest who comes to stay. It's a comfortable place to get a very real feel for the Kalahari – the highlight is often the informative and very entertaining walk with the Bushman trackers.
Our view
Deception Valley Lodge is decidedly traditional, with very hands-on owners who will often guide, or at the very least try to meet every guest who comes to stay. It's a comfortable place to get a very real feel for the Kalahari – the highlight is often the informative and very entertaining walk with the Bushman trackers.
Botswana expert
Accommodation
8 chalets
Children
Best for aged at least 8+
Open
All year
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Private activities
Traveller reviews of Deception Valley Lodge
5 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the safaris. See our 48 pictures and 2 videos of Deception Valley Lodge to get the candid view.
View galleryDeception Valley Lodge: Our full report
Deception Valley Lodge is a traditional family-run lodge on the outskirts of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).
Because it is set in a private reserve, there is more flexibility with activities than in the neighbouring national park – meaning they offer day and night drives and extended walks, all accompanied by qualified guides and Bushman trackers.
Within the main building are a cosy lounge, bar area and indoor dining room. The lodge has an ethnic-African twist; think animal hides and dark wood antiques with colourful rugs, elaborate ostrich-egg chandeliers and bushman artifacts.
Deception Valley's outdoor lounge and dining area are the focus of the building, remaining cool with leather sofas and day beds under a high thatched roof with open sides. It's a favourite spot to relax – although you may notice some claw marks on the sofas; apparently some lion cubs thought so too one night! (To put your mind at rest, they now have an electric wire surrounding the deck, which they connect at night to prevent this happening again.)
This main area overlooks a small waterhole that can be quite productive. On a previous visit, there seemed to be a continuous procession of wildebeest, kudu, oryx, zebra and giraffe coming down to drink. Apparently it is even better in the peak months of July – October, as most other water sources have dried up. Sadly on our trip in June 2017 we weren’t as lucky.
Off to the side and slightly removed from the main area is a small pool. The concrete deck is not the prettiest setting, but the opportunity for a dip in the cool water is nevertheless a welcome relief on a hot day. At the other end of the main building is a firepit set in a wooden deck for outdoor dining.
The eight large chalets at Deception Valley Lodge are linked to the main area by low wooden walkways. Each chalet has a separate lounge with a comfortable sofa and tiger print ottoman, a well-fitted bedroom, and a bathroom with indoor bathtub, washbasin and flushing toilet, as well as an outside shower. There are ceiling fans, mosquito nets over the beds, a lockable storage chest, and a small fridge/minibar in one of the cabinets. The brick-and-thatch design and the dark teak furniture tend to make the rooms dark inside, but they are nonetheless comfortable and spacious, while a narrow but shaded porch is a pleasant place to sit outside.
Two of these rooms are family suites, each having two inter-leading en-suite bedrooms and a shared deck, with the deluxe family room having a shared pool too. In one of the family rooms, there are stairs to an additional loft room however as they are very steep the lodge no longer makes use of this room and has a chain across the bottom of the stairs to prevent use.
Activities at Deception Valley Lodge include day and night 4WD game drives and bush walks. Although fortune wasn’t with us on our last game drive, you might spot some of the wildlife that can be found in the area, including lion, cheetah, kudu, giraffe and occasionally even leopard.
The team at Deception Valley Lodge includes Bushman trackers (from the !Naro tribe) who will share their knowledge with you – translated by one of the other guides – over the course of a walk. This was definitely the highlight of our most recent stay.
We recommend the lodge for the really interesting, informative and, frankly, entertaining walk with the Bushman trackers. They don't pretend that they still live in the traditional way, so there wasn't any of the awkwardness that is sometimes associated with similar cultural activities. We got the distinct impression that our !Naro Bushman guides enjoyed the walk as much as we did.
Although the Bushman walk was fantastic and the trackers' personalities really came to the fore – the rest of the local staff were very much in the background. So despite the great hospitality shown by the owner and manager, we had little contact with any of the other staff.
That could be why it took us a little while to settle in and warm to the place initially. However, by the time we left we felt we'd had a really good stay – almost certainly helped by some outstanding food and great memories from our walk.
At Expert Africa we generally take the view that walking activities in areas with dangerous big game should be led by qualified and armed guides. Despite relatively low densities of the most dangerous species on this reserve, and the amazing bush skills of the Bushmen trackers who normally accompany the walks, we would still take this view here. So we are delighted that, the owners are committed to ensuring that their walking activities can be led by qualified, armed guides, if requested.
It is also possible to organise whole-day trips into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The CKGR has the potential to offer some of Botswana's better summer game viewing, with a plethora of plains game – and subsequently predators – attracted to the vast pans which boast delicious, nutritious grasses. There's a considerable extra cost for these trips (in the region of US$500 per person, with a minimum of four people required), and they are very long days with about a two to three hour drive to reach the first of the pans. But they can be very rewarding. (Best ask us to organize one of these trips in advance for you if you want to go into the national park.)
It is worth noting that whilst the game viewing in the reserve itself is considered better during the summer this isn’t necessarily the case for the Deception Valley Lodge. The fences that keep game on the property and safe during the winter tend to keep the migration out in the summer months. So in contrast to the migration centric cycle of game viewing in the CKGR cycle at Deception Valley Lodge is more similar to the seasons of the Okavango Delta. Meaning it is at its peak in the dry season when the vegetation has died back.
Geographics
- Location
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- Two–three nights is probably the optimum stay here, although if you opt for the full-day trip into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, then best stay for three nights.
- Directions
- Access is usually by light aircraft to the airstrip on the property, and then it is around 15 minutes’ drive between the airstrip and the camp.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- We enjoyed superb meals on our last visit to Deception Valley Lodge in June 2017, and were impressed by the quality and variety of food.
The day begins with a very light breakfast of cereal, yoghurt and fruit. Brunch is a much more substantial meal served on returning from the morning activity. We feasted on a variety of cheeses and cold meats, toast, fresh fruit and a mini frittata with sausage.
We didn’t have afternoon tea on our last visit but it will generally be a sweet and a savoury dish. On a previous visit were treated to moist apple cake, a cheese and chicken salad and a selection of sandwiches.
Dinner started with a tasty aubergine and beetroot vegetable stack.This was followed by a perfectly cooked impala steak with corn on the cob, cheese and potato rosti. For pudding we pears poached in red wine. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- There is no room service.
- Drinks included
- Soft drinks, local-brand beers and spirits, and a selection of red and white house wines are included. Champagne and cellar wines, imported beers and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Generally children over the age of eight years are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- No children under the age of eight years are accepted at the main lodge, unless by special arrangement, and then only if the entire camp is reserved for exclusive use. Families with children aged between eight and twelve years old, will need to book a private vehicle at extra cost.
Children of all ages are accepted if booking the two-bedroom Kalahari Manor. - Special activities & services
- There are no special activities or services.
- Equipment
- No special equipment is available but there are two inter-leading chalets, which can be used for families.
- Generally recommended for children
- We think that the two-bedroom Kalahari Manor could make a good choice for families at Deception Valley Lodge. There is ample space to spread out, children can make a noise without worrying about disturbing other guests, and there is maximum flexibility with private activities and a private chef.
- Notes
- Deception Valley Lodge and the Kalahari Manor are unfenced and dangerous wildlife, including lion, are known to move regularly through camp. The pool at the main lodge is unfenced. Children must be under the constant supervision of their parents.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Deception Valley Lodge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Deception Valley Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Batteries are used to provide power when the generator is turned off at night,
- Communications
- There is no telephone or cellphone reception at Deception Valley Lodge. There is Wi-Fi in the main area. It is slow but adequate for e-mail, although travellers need to bring their own devices (laptop, smart phone etc).
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the rooms have hot and cold running water and flush toilets. The tap water is very salty here.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Maun, a drive of at least four hours. Medical evacuation is available in case of emergencies. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Guests are escorted to their rooms after dark as dangerous wildlife is known to wander through the camp. A safety briefing is given on arrival. However, note that there is currently no means to communicate with the managers at night in the event of an emergency.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers outside all the rooms and in the main area.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included and, weather permitting, items will be returned the same day.
- Money
- There is a lockable chest in each chalet. No exchange facilities are offered.
- Accepted payment on location
- There are no credit or debit card facilities at the lodge. Cash in the form of South African rand, GB sterling, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula is accepted, but note that the local banks do not accept or change foreign coins.
Plan and book your trip with Expert Africa
All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us plan and arrange your perfect trip.
Talk to an Expert
Call or email us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
Travel with peace of mind
After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.
When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.
Deception Valley Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Deception Valley Lodge.
Excursions from Deception Valley Lodge
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Deception Valley Lodge. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.
Helicopter Flight - Botswana
Various: from 30 minutes to half a day.
Low-flying, agile and offering superb views, helicopters are an ideal way to move around the Okavango Delta.You can use them instead of fixed-wing inter-lodge transfers or as an addition to other wildlife watching activities, and of course, helicopters can hover to allow that perfect pic, whereas fixed-wings can’t.
More about Helicopter FlightOther lodges in Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Tau Pan Camp
The comfortable Tau Pan camp inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve offers some of Botswana's best summer game viewing and birdwatching.
Kalahari Arms Hotel
Kalahari Arms Hotel, in the town of Ghanzi, is a practical overnight stop for travellers crossing the Kalahari to or from Namibia.
Dinaka
The newest addition to Ker and Downey Botswana’s portfolio, Dinaka is based on a private game reserve on the northern boundary of the CKGR.
Gham Dhao Lodge
Within a private concession, Gham Dhao Lodge is one of a number of lodges located on the northern boundary of the CKGR, offering a year-round Kalahari experience.
When to go to Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Deception Valley Lodge in Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in January
January marks the peak of the rainy season, transforming the arid terrain into a lush paradise with green grasslands and seasonal waterholes. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, bringing dramatic cloud formations and brief but intense downpours. Game viewing is spectacular, particularly in Deception Valley, where large herds of springbok, gemsbok, and wildebeest congregate, drawn by the nutrient-rich grasses.
Predators, including the famous black-maned Kalahari lions, thrive during this time, taking advantage of the abundance of newborn prey. Birdlife flourishes, with migratory species in full breeding plumage, filling the skies with vibrant colours and melodious calls. The combination of dramatic weather, abundant wildlife, and verdant landscapes makes this one of the most photogenic months in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
- Warm temperatures with frequent afternoon thunderstorms
- Large congregations of herbivores in the valleys
- High predator activity, particularly among lions and cheetahs
- Abundant migratory birds, including flamingos and raptors
- Lush, photogenic landscapes with dramatic cloudscapes
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in January
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in February
February continues the lush and green conditions, maintaining high concentrations of wildlife in the valleys. The abundance of food ensures that young animals, born in previous months, are still numerous, offering excellent predator-prey interactions as they become stronger but remain vulnerable. Birdwatching is at its best, with large numbers of waders, raptors, and colourful bee-eaters making the most of the insect-rich environment.
Relatively warm evenings make night drives comfortable, allowing guests to witness nocturnal species like brown hyenas and bat-eared foxes. Although thunderstorms still occur, they are typically brief and followed by stunning sunsets, bathing the plains in golden light.
- Lush landscapes, with scattered waterholes still full
- Predators actively hunting growing but vulnerable prey
- Exceptional birdwatching, with many species in breeding plumage
- Comfortable night drives with good sightings of nocturnal wildlife
- Dramatic sunsets following short-lived thunderstorms
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in February
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in March
March marks a transitional phase, as rains gradually decrease and the landscape begins to shift. The thick grass remains green, but visibility starts to improve as the vegetation thins slightly. Animal concentrations remain high in the valleys, with predators still capitalising on the abundance of prey. The last of the migratory birds prepare to depart, making this an excellent time for bird enthusiasts to catch their final glimpses of species like European rollers and yellow-billed kites.
As the air dries, dust and golden light enhance photographic opportunities, making it an ideal time for landscape photography. With fewer visitors compared to peak months, this is also a great time to enjoy a more exclusive experience.
- Rains taper off, with increased sunny days
- Wildlife still abundant, especially in Deception and Passarge Valley
- Predator-prey interactions remain at their peak
- Final weeks for migratory birds before they depart
- Excellent photography conditions - golden light and dramatic skies
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in April
Perhaps one of the best months to visit the Central Kalahari, April signals the end of the rainy season, yet the landscape remains vibrant. Seasonal water sources start to shrink, encouraging wildlife to remain near the valleys where grazing is still good. Morning and evening temperatures cool, making game drives more comfortable.
As the grasses begin to die back, visibility improves, making it easier to spot wildlife. Predators continue to linger in the valleys, as prey remains concentrated, providing excellent game-viewing opportunities. The clearer skies and crisp air make this a fantastic month for both wildlife and landscape photography.
- Cooler mornings and evenings, with little rainfall
- Vegetation thinning, improving game-spotting opportunities
- Wildlife still concentrated in valleys, though dispersal begins
- Excellent predator sightings, particularly cheetahs and lions
- Shoulder season pricing, making it an affordable yet rewarding time
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in April
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in May
May is a lovely month – usually with clear skies after the end of the rainy season. While the grass still holds some green hues, the land starts to take on its classic semi-arid Kalahari tones. Many herbivores begin to disperse into the surrounding vegetated dunes, though some remain in the valleys, followed closely by lions and cheetahs. The drying waterholes force game to move more, requiring greater tracking skills.
Early mornings and evenings are chilly, but daytime temperatures remain pleasant. As tourism increases, availability in lodges begins to decline, making early bookings essential.
- Cool mornings and evenings, but warm, dry days
- Wildlife still present, though dispersal begins
- Good predator activity, especially around remaining water sources
- Crisp air and golden light, ideal for photography
- Shoulder season ends, with increasing demand in lodges
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in May
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in June
In June, the dry season continues in earnest, bringing cool, crisp days and cold nights, sometimes dropping below freezing. As vegetation thins, spotting wildlife becomes easier, though animals are more spread out. Tracking skills become crucial for good sightings.
The lack of humidity means clear, stunning skies, both during the day and at night, making stargazing exceptional. With almost no cloud cover, the Milky Way is visible in all its glory, making Central Kalahari Game Reserve one of the best locations in Africa for astronomical photography.
- Warm days, freezing nights
- Wildlife more dispersed, requiring skilled tracking
- Peak predator activity continues, with great cheetah sightings
- Clear air enhances visibility for photographers
- Stunning night skies, perfect for stargazing
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in June
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in July
July is one of the coldest months in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve with dry air, chilly mornings, and freezing nights. Despite the cold, the clear, blue skies and bright sunlight make for perfect game drives. With vegetation at its sparse stage, wildlife visibility is excellent, though animals remain dispersed across the reserve. Tracking is key, with patient efforts rewarded by sightings of lions, cheetahs, and elusive brown hyenas.
The lack of light pollution makes CKGR one of the world’s best stargazing destinations, offering phenomenal views of planets, deep-space objects, and constellations.
- Cold nights, mild days, ideal for game drives
- Wildlife remains dispersed, requiring skilled tracking
- Predators remain active, especially cheetahs and lions
- Peak season begins, meaning high demand for camps
- Exceptional stargazing, with no humidity or light pollution
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in August
August remains dry and crisp, with temperatures slowly beginning to rise during the day, though nights remain cold. Occasional dust storms sweep across the Kalahari, adding an atmospheric drama to the landscape. With thin vegetation, game spotting is at its easiest, and smaller species, like honey badgers, aardwolves, and black-backed jackals, become more visible.
The cool, dry air enhances photographic clarity, creating sharp, vibrant imagery. As the Southern Hemisphere’s constellations reach their most visible stage, August is a prime month for astrophotography.
- Dry, warm days; cold nights persist
- Excellent visibility, making game-spotting easier
- Unique small predator sightings, including honey badgers and jackals
- Peak tourist season, with high demand in lodges
- Prime conditions for astrophotography, with dazzling celestial views
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in September
As temperatures begin to rise, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve transitions toward the hottest time of the year. The remaining water sources shrink, concentrating wildlife near pans and occasional artificial waterholes. Dust in the air intensifies Kalahari’s legendary sunsets, turning the sky into a fiery display of oranges, pinks, and deep reds.
Wildlife tracking requires more effort, as herds remain widely dispersed, but big cat sightings remain rewarding. With the increased heat, many animals seek shade midday, making early morning and late afternoon game drives the most productive.
- Warmer days, cool nights, perfect for most visitors
- Wildlife increasingly dependent on remaining water sources
- Active tracking needed for optimal predator sightings
- Striking sunsets, enhanced by dust and golden light
- High season rates, requiring early bookings for accommodation
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in October
October is the hottest month in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40°C/104°F. The brutal heat forces animals into the shade, making early morning and late evening the best times for game drives. Big cats and scavengers patrol the remaining waterholes, creating dramatic predator-prey encounters.
Despite the harsh conditions, October’s dry, cracked landscapes offer striking photographic opportunities, with lone acacia trees and heatwaves shimmering on the horizon. Dust storms are frequent, adding an element of raw wilderness to the experience.
- Extreme heat, often exceeding 40°C/104°F
- Predators concentrate around last remaining water sources
- Intense, dramatic survival scenes play out between prey and predator
- Unique desert-adapted species remain active in the mornings and even
- Spectacular desert photography, with surreal, arid landscapes
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in October
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in November
November signals the beginning of the rains, breaking the intense heat and triggering an instant transformation of the landscape. The first thunderstorms arrive, refreshing the dry terrain and encouraging new grass growth, which in turn attracts the first herds of springbok, gemsbok and a scattering of wildebeest back to the valleys.
The return of migratory birds marks the start of the green season, with waders, raptors, and bee-eaters flocking to the area. Lightning storms create spectacular nightscapes, offering dramatic photographic opportunities.
- Hot days with first rain showers, cooling the landscape
- Fresh grasses begin to sprout, drawing herbivores back to the valley
- Predators remain active, anticipating the return of prey
- Migratory birds return, increasing birdwatching opportunities
- Dramatic lightning storms, perfect for photographers
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Central Kalahari Game Reserve in December
December fully ushers in the green season, bringing regular rain showers and cooler temperatures. The plains burst into life, with newborn springbok and gemsbok appearing in particularly large numbers, attracting lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
Birdwatchers will find December particularly rewarding, with the highest density of migratory species present. The fresh green scenery, reflective waterholes, and contrasting storm clouds create a stunning backdrop for photography. Fewer tourists during this period make it a more exclusive safari experience, with lower rates in many lodges.
- Cooler temperatures, with frequent refreshing rains
- Newborn animals appear, drawing predators
- Exceptional birdwatching, with diverse migratory species
- Dramatic scenery, with green landscapes and stormy skies
- Lower season rates, making it an affordable time to visit
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?
Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure
Inspire me