Tau Pan is the first semi-permanent camp inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and offers truly incredible views from the ridge of an ancient sand dune, an unusual experience in a land as flat as Botswana. It overlooks the famous Tau Pan, a large salt pan recognized for its stark beauty and remoteness. ‘Tau’ means lion in Setswana and the pan is so named for its pride of iconic black-maned Kalahari lions, who are frequent visitors to the camp as well. As well as game drives, activities at Tau Pan include day trips to the well-known Deception Valley, Sunday, Piper and Passarge Pans. A particular favourite is the bushman nature walk where visitors learn how the San used to gather food and water.

The main area of the camp includes open bar, lounge and dining areas all set around the fireplace, which is the ideal spot for game viewing down to the waterhole. Star-gazing is also especially beautiful here due to the remote location of the camp, and a telescope is provided for guests’ use. A sleep-out deck is available for guests who wish to spend an amazing night sleeping under the open Kalahari night sky.