Desert & Delta + Victoria Falls

Leroo La Tau, meaning "Lion's Paw," offers expertly guided game drives twice daily through Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. This extraordinary region is home to an array of predators, including lions, jackals, cheetahs, leopards, both brown and spotted hyenas, caracals, and more. Antelope, from elegant kudus to towering giraffes, also call this park home. The Boteti River, in particular, is renowned for hosting Botswana’s spectacular zebra migration, a breathtaking display of stripes and hooves that is typically in full swing between May and October.

*Please note: Due to the remote location of Leroo La Tau within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the pans themselves are not included in the daily scheduled activities from the lodge.

Leroo La Tau Game Drives Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Game Drives Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Game Drives Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Game Drives Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Game Drives Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Game Drives Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Picture an endless stretch of flat salt, all the way to the horizon—a surreal, lunar-like environment that captivates the senses. As the sun sets, the sky transforms into a vibrant canvas of burnt orange, periwinkle, and pink—the kind of African sunset that dreams are made of.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are so remote that both sound and light pollution are non-existent, an experience described by many as life-changing. This is where Desert & Delta Safaris bring guests for their iconic Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Sleep-Out Experience.

Guests are transported from Leroo La Tau to sleep under the stars, dine around a campfire, and revel in the profound solitude of nature. All logistics, including bedrolls, meals, and transport, are handled by the lodge team. The sleep-out is guided expertly, with safety a top priority for all guests.

Available between mid-June and October, the experience is inclusive for guests staying three nights or more, subject to weather and availability. To enhance this adventure, guests can opt for one-way or return helicopter transfers (surcharges apply). For a fully exclusive, bespoke journey, inquire about Desert & Delta’s newly launched Epic Experience itinerary.

Leroo La Tau Salt Pans Sleep-Out Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Salt Pans Sleep-Out Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Salt Pans Sleep-Out Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Salt Pans Sleep-Out Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Salt Pans Sleep-Out Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Salt Pans Sleep-Out Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

A helicopter scenic flight offers an unparalleled opportunity to truly grasp the vastness of the Makgadikgadi Pans wilderness.

Every month unveils a unique spectacle: from the dusty trails of thousands of zebras migrating along the Boteti River to the dramatic transformation of the pans. Soaring above, guests can witness the lush green islands scattered across vast water basins, ancient baobab trees standing sentinel, and Kubu Island’s migratory flamingos that gather in their thousands to breed and nest. The landscape is further enriched by the ancient rocks of Gondwanaland and its fascinating archaeological sites.

Helicopter scenic flights such as these, along with optional transfers to and from the Salt Pans Sleep-Out Experience, are a truly special addition to any Leroo La Tau adventure—offering the chance to see some of Africa’s most striking settings from the skies.

*Please note: Scenery and wildlife vary with the seasons, weather patterns and Mother Nature’s unpredictable will. Please enquire about flights and seasonal events before booking.

Leroo La Tau Scenic Heli Flights Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Scenic Heli Flights Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Scenic Heli Flights Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Scenic Heli Flights Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Scenic Heli Flights Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Scenic Heli Flights Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Desert & Delta Safaris is renowned for crafting immersive adventures that go beyond the ordinary. Culture and community play a central role, offering guests an authentic, enriching, and educational itinerary that leaves a lasting impact.

Guests are invited to Khumaga Village, located near Leroo La Tau, for a guided day trip to explore this vibrant community and gain insights into local life.

During the visit, visitors can engage with local farmers, try their hand at milking cows, and perhaps bottle-feed baby goats (kids). They'll meet local families, who often invite guests into their homes for a tour, and can visit the community school.

Additionally, guests can support the community by purchasing beautifully woven homeware, including baskets, trays, and vessels crafted by local women.

Leroo La Tau Village Tour Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Village Tour Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Village Tour Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Village Tour Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Village Tour Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Village Tour Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Guests staying three nights or more at Leroo La Tau can enjoy a day trip to Nxai Pan National Park. The excursion starts in the early morning and includes a visit to Nxai Pan as well as Baines Baobabs for a chance to see the expansive salt pans. Lunch will be enjoyed while out exploring Nxai Pan.

Leroo La Tau Nxai Pans Day Trip Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Nxai Pans Day Trip Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Nxai Pans Day Trip Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Nxai Pans Day Trip Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Nxai Pans Day Trip Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Leroo La Tau Nxai Pans Day Trip Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Guided walking safaris, led by qualified experts on the surrounding islands, provide an opportunity to track the region's larger wildlife while also immersing in the smaller marvels that make up its intricate ecosystems. These excursions are conducted in small groups, each accompanied by two knowledgeable guides.

Walking Safaris | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Walking Safaris | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Walking Safaris | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Drift through the Okavango Delta's serene, wildlife-rich channels in a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), expertly navigated by seasoned guides. Immerse yourself in the vibrant diversity of birds, plants, and reptiles that thrive here, and savour the leisurely pace which enhances detail-orientated viewing.

Mokoro Activity | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Mokoro Activity | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Mokoro Activity | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Hop aboard a hard-bottom aluminum motorboat to explore the deeper channels of the iconic Okavango Delta. Cruise through this pristine landscape and be treated to a stunning array of birdlife, plant species, and larger game such as elephants, with expert guides to uncover Delta gems along the way. The boats are equipped with comfortable seating, a foldaway canvas roof for shade, and life jackets for safety and comfort.

Motorboat Safaris | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Motorboat Safaris | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Motorboat Safaris | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

The Okavango Delta provides one of the most diverse and rewarding birdwatching experiences, offering the chance to observe both resident and migratory species in one of the planet’s most pristine and ecologically vital landscapes. Enquire about Desert & Delta’s Epic Experience: Best of Botswana’s Birding: A Tailor-made Safari Experience (Hosted by a Specialist Bird Guide).

Birdwatching | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Birdwatching | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Birdwatching | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Brimming with tiger fish and home to the iconic annual (seasonal) Barbel Run, the Okavango Delta delivers the thrill of the chase, where anglers engage in an exhilarating dance of patience and skill. Seasoned and novice fishers are invited to cast their lines on a guided adventure. All fishing equipment is available at the lodge.

Fishing | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Fishing | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Fishing | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Seeing the Okavango Delta from a helicopter is a truly magnificent experience. Desert & Delta’s partners at Helicopter Horizons will remove the doors providing uninterrupted views and close up angles of the majestic Delta and its wildlife. A scenic flight is not just a must for keen photographers but an exciting opportunity to witness this remarkable network of land and water from above.

The flights are operated with the utmost respect and caution for the natural environment, the wildlife and travellers. Routes have been carefully marked out ensuring guests on other activities and in camp are not disturbed. The flight routes and take off areas are designed specifically to make use of pristine areas within the concession.

Scenic Heli Flights | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Scenic Heli Flights | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Scenic Heli Flights | Xugana Island Lodge Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Activities are centered around game drives throughout the Savute area in open 4x4 safari vehicles
Many trips will incorporate a visit to the famous Savute Marsh for your chance to see the historic presence of the Savute Channel at the marsh against a teeming backdrop of wildlife.

Guests will also enjoy a visit to the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, a small hilly outcrop which forms a remarkable landmark in the otherwise flat landscape.

Savute lays claim to a spectacularly large summer zebra migration, which is determined by the rains but usually occurs between November and December and again between February and April when the zebras move from the rivers in the north in search of the lush grasslands and full waterholes in the southeast of the park. They are always accompanied by a myriad of predators.