Reviews of Thamo Telele

"The rooms are really beautiful at this lodge located just outside of Maun.

It is a nice place to stay away from the town which seems a little too busy and unattractive as an introduction to Botswana. The giraffe program is interesting but the walk was guided rather than independent.

The food is average and the pool needed servicing when we were there, but overall it's a good place to stay before or after a safari." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"An amazing experience just a short drive out of Maun, which on first sight is a bit dusty and cinder-block. Though it is a game farm, it is in a lovely real forest, near a real river, with real wild animals, yet you can safely take several well-marked walks. This makes it wonderful coming off a long journey by air, and it might be nice after a week or two in the actual bush, where walking out on your own is usually impossible.

The facilities are gorgeous, recently renovated, (it is now called Thamo Telele Lodge, after their giraffes as I understand), and extremely comfortable. Though the platform tents looked lovely, all new, and very secure, we slept in a huge walled, thatched chalet, a bit of psychologic comfort on the first night among actual game. A subtle fence kept the elands and giraffes visible from our doorway and windows, but out of the immediate lodge grounds for our well-lit trail back to the lovely deck and dining room. Though they offer other activities, we got in late, so went for a short walk and then sat on the deck watching amazing monkeys and birds with Jobe, a friendly and superbly informed guide.

I could go on and on about the wonderful room, comforts, food, staff, and facilities. But let me just say staying here, for a night or two, is a wonderful way to beat jet lag (or come off 'roughing it' on safari) and must be infinitely more fun than a lodge in town. And they perfectly coordinated our arrival and departure to the airport at odd hours.

Highly recommended, without reservation." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa

"This lodge is now called Thamo Telele, and has undergone a refurbishment. All worked well .
It is the home for a giraffe project. We enjoyed learning from the project managers about their work and plans.
Being a fenced reserve, there are no predators." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana

"Nice, but a bit overpriced I think. And it looks like a zoo. Which is a bit of an anticlimax after such a trip.

Very weird to see oryx there and eland from so close by.

They are now running a project trying to habituate their giraffes . And imported a number of giraffes from Namibia recently. To amplify the gene base. In any case, not for me.

But the rooms are recently refurbished and the rooms look quite new. The hot water shower is lovely. And the ladies are very, very nice." See all these reviews: 20n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa

"Comfortable room but looking out onto rough scrub.

Food was terrible - lamb curry for evening meal (including bones and gristle) and husband does not eat curry - they gave him a pork chop. Indifferent vegetables and desert.

Breakfast was a bowl of cereal. We had to leave early - probably a bit too early as we then had to hang around at Maun airport - and said we did not want cooked breakfast but only received a single bowl of Bran flakes.

Park area - could walk around but not much to see" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 4n in Mozambique; 1n in South Africa

"We were underwhelmed during our short visit and felt that this was poor value for money. The lodge has only recently reopened and the communal areas are in serious need of refurbishment.

There were only two other guests at the same time as us and the lodge felt very tired and unloved. The food in particular was awful. Staff were welcoming and the room was ok. We enjoyed one of the walking trails although they weren’t particularly well marked - we enjoyed sitting at a lagoon and watching the giraffes.

The lodge is in a transitional period and we were told that refurbishment and rebranding are being undertaken by Natural Selection. The place definitely has potential - we were just there at the wrong time!" See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana

"A one night stay to get used to the time change - game preserve is protected so we were able to walk around on our own - it was pleasant." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana

"We stayed here on the way home just to get tested and avoid Jo'burg.

It's about 30 minutes outside of Maun. Nice staff, no alcohol, so so food. It served the purpose.

No comparison to the luxury camps we had just visited." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana

"A lovely lodge and the walks are wonderful as we got to see so many animals up close and personal.

Julius was the perfect host, we really loved our 2 nights here." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe

"Very nice welcome by Julius and his team to this well set up lodge .Great walks down to river with birds and hippo plus zebra,ostrich and eland in reserve which can be viewed on way in / out

Rooms very comfortable and delightful shaded terrace

Swimming pool not very enticing as in very shady spot .Service excellent but food rather average" See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe