Thamo Telele: Our full report

Formerly known as Royal Tree Lodge and Motentsela Tree Lodge before that, Thamo Telele is a small lodge situated ...

... on a private game farm about 15 minutes from the center of Maun. Although this lodge is in Maun, it feels very remote, and it's an ideal spot if you need a night either at the beginning or end of your safari but don't want to stay in town.

The main area at Thamo Telele is a large, semi-circular, open-plan building, with solid walls and a tall thatch roof; its ceilings display exposed wooden beams. The front of the complex has large glass windows overlooking the outside deck. Inside is beautifully decorated in earthy tones and African prints. There are polished wooden floors and rugs, African carvings and masks on the walls, large clay pots, comfy sofas, a brown leather couch, and tasteful touches likes a collection of ostrich eggs in a bowl.

A huge wooden door leads into the entrance hall where three stunning glass and wrought iron chandeliers hang. From there you can walk outside on the teak deck, which has been built around an enormous Leadwood tree. To the left lies the spacious lounge and a welcoming wooden bar where pre-dinner drinks and tasty snacks are served. To the right is the dining room which has a long wooden table – made up of a few smaller tables which can be separated for individual dining. Breakfast buffets are set up in the dining room.

The lodge also has a small pool and deck with a few sun loungers. An ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon.

Thamo Telele has seven spacious Meru-style tents which are stylish, yet understated. Each is beautifully decorated in creams and African prints, with polished wooden floors, large comfortable twin or double beds, curtains to soften the canvas walls and wooden bedside tables and head boards. Each also has a ceiling fan – appreciated in the hot summer months.

The en-suite bathrooms are at the back of each tent at Thamo Telele. There's a large vanity unit with a wooden counter and twin ceramic basins. A white 'slipper' bath stands in the one corner, with a flushing toilet opposite. There's no door to the toilet, but a wall does separate it from the bedroom for privacy. Then, leading outside from the back of the bathroom is a private outdoor shower.

All the tents at here are raised on wooden decks, and have a little veranda in the front. They have solid wooden doors and large gauze windows – with canvas flaps which can be rolled down at night.

Thamo Telele also has two honeymoon chalets. I didn't get to see them on my last visit in June 2017, but I believe they're just as beautiful. They're thatched and have large indoor and outdoor showers, and a large sunken bath.

There are walking trails around the reserve which range from 30 minutes to 1½ hours. They well marked - and there are no large predators, so it's safe to walk on your own and a great place to stretch your legs after a long flight! The private reserve is a haven for numerous bird species, and it also has plains game, such as giraffe, eland, kudu, zebra, gemsbok, impala, springbok and ostriches.

Our view

Thamo Telele is beautiful and is usually our first choice for a relaxing night or two in Maun. We found it very comfortable, the food good, hospitality warm and generally very well run.

Tom Morris

Botswana expert

Geographics

Location: Maun, Botswana
Ideal length of stay: One or two nights – usually as a stop before or after a safari into the Okavango Delta or Botswana's northern wildlife reserves.
Directions: 15 – 20 minute road transfer from Maun. The lodge will collect you from Maun; it is accessible by self-drive 4x4 vehicle only.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Half Board
Food quality: When we last visited in June 2017 for a night we had the following.

Dinner was served in the main dining area at a long wooden dining room table. It's a relaxed affair, although we found the meal tasty. We ate with the other guests and enjoyed a lamb chops, fresh vegetables and gem squash stuffed with sweetcorn. To top that off, desert was crepes and ice-cream.

Breakfast was a buffet of cereal and yoghurt, with eggs to order.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: No
Drinks included: Excluded. There is a full bar – for your own account.
Complimentary fresh water is provided in the rooms.

Special interests

Walking: Thamo Telele is a great lodge for some gentle walking in Botswana. The trails are well marked and perfectly safe to explore alone, with waterholes for game viewing and a hide if you'd like to sit and take things easy.; See ideas for Walking

Children

Attitude towards children: All children are welcome.
Notes: The swimming pool at Thamo Telele is unfenced, and children should be supervised at all times when at this lodge.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Thamo Telele

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Thamo Telele 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.

Giraffe

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Eland

67% success

Wildebeest

25% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Communications

Communications: The camp has a land line. Wifi is available on request but it is a very slow connection.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: Maun
Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk
Security measures: The reserve and lodge are both surrounded by fences to keep their animals in or out. You need a security code to get through the entrance gate if on a self-drive trip.
Fire safety

Activities

Helicopter
Horse-riding

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Possible at an additional cost.
Accepted payment on location: Credit cards, Botswana Pula and US Dollars are accepted.