Reviews of Tau Pan Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
96 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
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Aug-2018, 30 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Tau Pan Camp.
Lion
86% success
Leopard
31% success
Cheetah
28% success
Wild dog
8% success
Oryx
96% success
Wildebeest
96% success
Giraffe
86% success
Elephant
38% success
Eland
24% success
Zebra
21% success
Brown Hyena
15% success
Meerkat
4% success
Pangolin
4% success
Aardvark
0% success
Mr & Mrs H
Godalming
"Contrasting experience at Tau Pan"
3 nights Arrived 21 May 2017
"We enjoyed the very different conditions here, particularly the bush walk with Scoupe, which was both informative and amusingly put over.
We were, however, not very impressed with Matt, our guide, who spent much of the time on the drives talking to Scoupe and some of the more interesting spotting was done by the guests on the vehicle. We were confirmed in our view by the fact the driver and guide who took us to the air strip on the last morning gave us comparatively considerably more information during a drive of under an hour." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana
We were, however, not very impressed with Matt, our guide, who spent much of the time on the drives talking to Scoupe and some of the more interesting spotting was done by the guests on the vehicle. We were confirmed in our view by the fact the driver and guide who took us to the air strip on the last morning gave us comparatively considerably more information during a drive of under an hour." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs H
Bedford
"Tau Pan Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 21 Apr 2017
"This was an attractive and comfortable camp. The staff were all extremely welcoming, friendly, helpful and keen to ensure that we had the best possible stay with them. The food was very good.
Our guide Obza and tracker Scoopa were both excellent. Obza looked after us extremely well throughout our stay. He and Scooper were very knowledgeable and worked together to ensure that we had many wonderful wildlife encounters. We saw a large number of animals, birds, and reptiles. The Kalahari area was a very interesting contrast to the Delta and we enjoyed a whole day excursion to Deception Valley . We also enjoyed the time spent with Scoopa as he explained the traditional way of life of the bushmen.
This would not be a good place to stay in cold weather. We experienced an unusually cool and wet spell while we were at the camp, and found our room was not easy to draught-proof and the solar powered water heating system was not great. Nevertheless, a good place to stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Our guide Obza and tracker Scoopa were both excellent. Obza looked after us extremely well throughout our stay. He and Scooper were very knowledgeable and worked together to ensure that we had many wonderful wildlife encounters. We saw a large number of animals, birds, and reptiles. The Kalahari area was a very interesting contrast to the Delta and we enjoyed a whole day excursion to Deception Valley . We also enjoyed the time spent with Scoopa as he explained the traditional way of life of the bushmen.
This would not be a good place to stay in cold weather. We experienced an unusually cool and wet spell while we were at the camp, and found our room was not easy to draught-proof and the solar powered water heating system was not great. Nevertheless, a good place to stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Kathy
Tucson, AZ
"Awesome in spring time!"
3 nights Arrived 18 Mar 2017
"Loved the absolute remoteness of the site. And it was bursting with life in mid-March. Nice variety of game and birds.
Guides were very good, with lots of background information provided. Game drives were nice and long, and we headed out right at dawn.
Food was good, not great. Showers were weak. But, considering how remote we were, it was pretty darn comfortable.
All in all, a really great camp. I would return." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Guides were very good, with lots of background information provided. Game drives were nice and long, and we headed out right at dawn.
Food was good, not great. Showers were weak. But, considering how remote we were, it was pretty darn comfortable.
All in all, a really great camp. I would return." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr M
Bow
"Green Season at Tau Pan"
3 nights Arrived 5 Mar 2017
"We chose to visit Tau Pan during the end of the autumn rains to experience the Kalahari in full foliage before the dispersal of migratory birds and antelope. Our guide (Roggers) and tracker (Vota) responded well to our more general interest in natural history with a comprehensive overview of the surrounding environment and its various inhabitants. We could not have been more pleased with what we saw and experienced.
As we later experienced at other Kwando facilities, Tau Pan Camp was luxurious and comfortable with many helpful and friendly staff members.
See comments by Ms I. from North Berwick for additional details on our shared vacation." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
As we later experienced at other Kwando facilities, Tau Pan Camp was luxurious and comfortable with many helpful and friendly staff members.
See comments by Ms I. from North Berwick for additional details on our shared vacation." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms I
North Berwick
"Tau Pan Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 5 Mar 2017
"This was a great start to our trip. The birders had a whale of a time spotting, I think, over 100 species in a couple of days.
I was very impressed with our guide, Roggers, and tracker Volte (spelling!). Roggers could not have been more attentive to my needs.
There was a fair bit of driving to see some of the wildlife but because my group were not preoccupied with the Big Five, we were able to put the journeys to good use spotting a wide variety of wild life and habitat on the journeys." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
I was very impressed with our guide, Roggers, and tracker Volte (spelling!). Roggers could not have been more attentive to my needs.
There was a fair bit of driving to see some of the wildlife but because my group were not preoccupied with the Big Five, we were able to put the journeys to good use spotting a wide variety of wild life and habitat on the journeys." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr L & Mrs O
PA, USA
"Wonderful Kalahari"
3 nights Arrived 15 Feb 2017
"Botswana had fortunately received large amounts of rain and the Kalahari was in full bloom and beautiful. Tau Pan in the CKGR is a wonderful, unique location with great guides and superb service. Our guide Vasco was fantastic, typical of Kwando Safaris. Game viewing in the pans was good, though don't expect wildlife numbers like the delta. The only detail to be aware of is the day trip to Deception Valley is a long, long day and it may not be necessary to do the entire trip."
See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 6n in Rwanda; 2n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Msrvp
harrow
"Great Location"
3 nights Arrived 12 Jun 2016
"Lovely view and very large comfortable rooms with patio. Requests were dealt with promptly.
As we were in room 5 close to the reception, a little more screening from the side near the main building would have been good.
A good variety of activities and very personable staff. Jessica , MP ( the singing chef) and Scooper being the most memorable.
Also enjoyed sitting round the fire early morning and evening." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 1n in Zambia; 1n in Zimbabwe
As we were in room 5 close to the reception, a little more screening from the side near the main building would have been good.
A good variety of activities and very personable staff. Jessica , MP ( the singing chef) and Scooper being the most memorable.
Also enjoyed sitting round the fire early morning and evening." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 1n in Zambia; 1n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms TG
London
"Tau Camp: a Jewel in the Kalahari"
3 nights Arrived 3 Jun 2016
"The camp was excellent without excessive luxury.
It was well-run and all the staff were extremely welcoming and efficient. Camp manager Jessica made it a joyful place to be. My guides, Vasco and Scoopa were excellent.
All the outings provided one or more points of interest." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
It was well-run and all the staff were extremely welcoming and efficient. Camp manager Jessica made it a joyful place to be. My guides, Vasco and Scoopa were excellent.
All the outings provided one or more points of interest." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr R
Hoboken
"Tau Pan and new vistas"
3 nights Arrived 12 Mar 2016
"The place was lovely and staff was wonderful.
The game drives, however, require you to drive for hours to see much in the way of animals. There is the occasional jackal and various antelope, but that is not much for hours of driving. And we were there at the end of their summer when the animals in the Pans should be more easily observed (or so we had read).
When we took the long drive to Deception Valley (only available in 8 hour full day drives) we did see the Kalahari lions which were amazing and some bat eared foxes (besides the various antelopes), but those long drives can challenge the spirit of a game seeker." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The game drives, however, require you to drive for hours to see much in the way of animals. There is the occasional jackal and various antelope, but that is not much for hours of driving. And we were there at the end of their summer when the animals in the Pans should be more easily observed (or so we had read).
When we took the long drive to Deception Valley (only available in 8 hour full day drives) we did see the Kalahari lions which were amazing and some bat eared foxes (besides the various antelopes), but those long drives can challenge the spirit of a game seeker." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mrs & Mr D
Sydney
"Tau Pan Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 4 Feb 2016
"Loved this camp. It was well run, friendly and beautifully located.
The only downside was the consultant who was employed by the company who had a super strong personality, talked over the top of the guides and staff and actually we just wished she would let the team do their thing.
The guide, Ishmael, the tracker, Scooper and the manager Jessica were all simply excellent." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zambia; 5n in Botswana; 3n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
The only downside was the consultant who was employed by the company who had a super strong personality, talked over the top of the guides and staff and actually we just wished she would let the team do their thing.
The guide, Ishmael, the tracker, Scooper and the manager Jessica were all simply excellent." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zambia; 5n in Botswana; 3n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
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.
Kalahari Plains Camp
Kalahari Plains Camp, situated in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, is a traditional tented camp offering some of Botswana's best summer (Dec–Mar) game viewing, and an introduction to authentic Bushman culture.
Edo's Camp
Edo's Camp is a small camp with only four spacious tents overlooking a permanent waterhole. Surrounded by 20,000 hectares of private game conservancy you can expect to see white rhino, springbok, oryx and eland here.
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.
Deception Valley Lodge
A private reserve on the border of the CKGR, Deception Valley Lodge offers more flexible activities than within the reserve and a particularly good Bushman experience.
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.
