Reviews of Tau Pan Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
93 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Tau Pan Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

85% success

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96% success

96% success

85% success

37% success

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0% success
"Comfortable permanent camp in the CKGR"
NB There is no mobile signal nor wifi at the camp. There is a very weak internet connection at the office. No big issue unless you're the guest who blew the emergency horn 4 times because they couldn't get online....
We specifically came to see the desert in bloom and that's what we got. Wildflowers were plentiful amongst the grass and trumpet thorn. We saw good numbers of Oryx, Steenbok and various other game. The local Tau Pan Pride were about but we saw no other cats. We had some great sightings of Bat Eared Fox and clocked up 10 different raptor species in 3 days which is pretty impressive!
One of the challenges at Tau Pan for wildlife viewing is that you are restricted to the roads so wildlife is often at a significant distance. This can make it extremely challenging for photographers (a 600mm doesn't touch it). We knew this going in, but were still slightly surprised at the relatively few roads and that, for example, there wasn't a single track across Tau Pan - plenty of game but just dots in the distance. The animals can also be quite skittish - herds of Oryx mostly turned tail and ran, which may be a result of self drivers chasing them or simply a lack of confidence around safari vehicles.
One of the activities is a day drive out along Passarge Valley and across Deception Valley. This was good for getting a feel of the landscape and the beauty of Deception Valley, but again was characterised by pretty low animal sightings, particularly the last 90 minutes (an observation shared by other guests).
Overall we were pleased we went to the see the area, and having visited Botswana twice before the compromise on close encounters was ok for us. Just set your expectations accordingly, particularly if you are visiting in green season." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
1 sighting

Giraffe
10 sightings

Lion
4 sightings

Oryx
10 sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"
Our guide KB & spotter Scouper were the best we had, very keen to share their extensive knowledge. In particular on our final morning, we were disappointed to be leaving at 9.45 & thought they would take us on a short drive close to camp, but instead, they gave us their best & it was our favourite drive of the trip, & we spotted so many species including a black-maned lion.
The camp location is perfect, being able to view the waterhole both from our chalet as well as the dining area was an added bonus.
If we have one disappointment it’s that, as the Guides accompany guests in the dark, we felt rushed to bed. A good way instead to end the day would have been sitting round the fire chatting with fellow guests." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Leopard
3 sightings

Lion
6 sightings

Oryx
10 sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"
Our guide Skills and tracker Scouper were informative and made the best of the harsh conditions in the Kalahari. Due to the area being a national park there was no off roading so often the wildlife was in the distance. However we were lucky enough to see lions by the roads as well as other large wildlife" See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana; 2n in South Africa

Brown Hyena
1 sighting

Elephant
1 sighting

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Oryx
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"
Not as much game as the other camps, or at least a bit harder to spot, but so long as you know that it is fine and actually sometimes more fun and rewarding.
The landscape is so different, and there is different game." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia

Giraffe
10 sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
9 sightings

Oryx
10 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"
We missed the fan in our room. The windows and doors have mesh which is perfect against insects.
During the drives we unfortunately did not see many animals. The staff uses abbreviations for their names: OP, PK, MP, etc. Food was good.
This camp has NO Wifi; perfect for a digital detox! The airstrip is close buy." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Lion
1 sighting

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
1 sighting
"Tau Pan Camp review"
We came to see snakes and we had three sightings of very interesting ones. Our tracker and guide were super knowledgable.
We had hoped to stay in the outdoor open-air room but apparently there was a lion incident and it was closed." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 5n in Namibia; 1n in Zimbabwe

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Pangolin
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"

Giraffe
1 sighting

Lion
8 sightings

Oryx
10 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"
Extensive carpets of silvery grass spread between trees and shrubs.
Plenty of game around Tau Pan. Daily sighting of Gemsbok, Springbok, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Steenbok, Black back Jackal, Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Korhaan, Lilac Breasted Roller, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Hornbill, to name a few.
The camp is situated in thick scrub and often we saw tracks of Leopards and Lions on the same path that we took on our way to breakfast." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana

Eland
1 sighting

Giraffe
5 sightings

Lion
3 sightings

Oryx
8 sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Wildebeest
8 sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
Multiple sightings
"Tau Pan Camp review"
Because there was no night driving we enjoyed sitting by boma with a drink in the evening before dinner. There was no big map of Botswana there which we made use of in the other camps during initial briefing.
Scupa the tracker was very good and informative about bush life and tracking - we enjoyed our walk with him." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia

Cheetah
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Oryx
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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