Thamalakane River Lodge is ideally located an easy 20-minute drive from Maun Airport en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. It is a secluded haven of tranquility nestled in a grove of mature riverine trees on the bank of the Thamalakane River. The rambling lodge has an idyllic setting and is committed to service excellence.
Character en-suite stone chalets, are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. All chalets and common areas have terraces that take advantage of the serene 180 degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever changing array of water fowl and birds.
It is a delightful place to come home to after a day spent exploring.
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Rooms
Facilities
Thamalakane River lodge entrance to restaurantEntrance to restaurant
Thamalakane river lodge bar areaBar & restaurant
Thamalakane River lodge swimming poolSwimming pool area
Thamalakane River lodge viewView next to the pool
Sleeping 2 adults on double or twin beds.
The spacious chalet interiors have a feature stone wall with an en-suite bathroom consisting of a shower, hand-basin and toilet.
Consisting of 2 bedrooms sharing one bathroom.
One bedroom accommodates 2 adults in either twin or double beds and the other bedroom sleeps 2 children on twin beds.
These units lounge areas overlooking the river.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Secure Parking
Leroo La Tau | Boteti River - Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Leroo La Tau rises majestically above the Boteti River which stretches across the western border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
The park, populated by up to 30,000 zebra and wildebeest closely accompanied by predators, offers guests the chance to experience the exhilaration of seeing large concentrations of game and the resultant predator interaction. The lodge offers a raised hide above the river where guests can enjoy the spectacular wildlife sightings that we’ve come to expect in this part of Botswana.
With just 12 thatched luxury chalets all overlooking the magnificent Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, each with en-suite bathrooms. There is a dining room, reading room and bar in the main lodge, expansive wooden decks and a plunge pool, where guests can immerse themselves seamlessly into the ultimate wildlife experience in Botswana.
Having explored the area and enjoyed a spectacular wildlife phenomenon on guided day and night game drives, guests can retire after dinner to a splendid fireplace overlooking the river.
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Video
Rooms
Facilities
Activities and Services
Restaurants
Standard RoomStandard room with balcony overlooking the Boteti River Valley
Leroo La Tau on the Boteti RiverAn aerial view of Leroo La Tau on the edge of the Boteti River
Salt Pans Sleep OutSpend a night on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (Mid July to end October)
Game Drives at Leroo La Tau Witnessing the zebra migration with Leroo La Tau
Dining roomMain dining room
Guest RoomsGuest Rooms on the edge of the Boteti River facing the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Bush DinnerBush Dinner on the edge of the Boteti River with Leroo La Tau
Leroo La Tau AerialAerial view of Leroo La Tau on the edge of the Boteti River overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Elephant Sightings Exceptional elephant sightings on the Boteti River
Entrance AreaWelcoming area for guests on arrival
In Lodge ViewingExceptional wildlife viewing from the room deck at Leroo La Tau
Bar AreaPre dinner drinks area at the self service bar
Family Room Private viewing deck overlooking the Boteti River Valley from the Family Room
Standard RoomStandard room interiors
Fire PlaceFire Place overlooking the Boteti River Valley
Family RoomMain room with interleaving door into children's room
Private Viewing DeckPrivate viewing deck overlooking the Boteti River
Fire PlaceFire Place overlooking the Boteti River Valley
LibraryQuiet Library space
Swimming PoolSwimming pool under the shade
Outside loungeOutside seating area overlooking the garden
Outside loungeOutside seating area in the garden
Outside loungeSecluded outside seating area near the bar
Nxai Pan Day Trip Day trip to Nxai Pan on a three night stay at Leroo La Tau
HydeHidden Hyde overlooking the Boteti River Valley
HydeHidden Hyde overlooking the Boteti River Valley
Luxurious thatched and glass-fronted suites raised on wooden platforms
All raised on the high banks of the Boteti River with 270 degree panoramic view of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. En-suite bathroom comprising of a shower, double hand basin and toilet
Fans in all guest rooms. A range of African biodegradable soaps, conditioning shampoo, hand wash, body lotion with insect repellent and shower caps are supplied in each room
A hairdryer is available from the lodge reception
Tea and coffee making facilities in each room
Flashlight available in each room
Gowns supplied in each room
Umbrella’s for the rainy season
Battery operated reading lights and bathroom light at night
Small safe for valuables
The new family room at Leroo La Tau is close to the main area giving easy access to the room for the family. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit is set on the edge of the Boteti River offering exceptional views over the Boteti Valley and into the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Guests can witness the annual zebra migration from the deck of their room.
Fans in all guest rooms. A range of African biodegradable soaps, conditioning shampoo, hand wash, body lotion with insect repellent and shower caps are supplied in each room
A hairdryer is available from the lodge reception
Tea and coffee making facilities in each room
Flashlight available in each room
Gowns supplied in each room
Umbrella’s for the rainy season
Battery operated reading lights and bathroom light at night
Small safe for valuables
Property Facilities
Bar, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Pool, Restaurant
The lodge offers guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park focusing on the exceptional wildlife sightings along the Boteti River. The annual zebra migration which takes place between May and October every year offers guests a unique experience as thousands of zebra migrate onto the Boteti River in search of water. General wildlife along the river are excellent with regular sightings of elephant, giraffe, kudu, zebra and lion to name a few.
Depending on the water level, boat activities are also provided. The boating safari departs from the lodge and heads up river allowing guests to enjoy the diverse wildlife from the water. During the annual zebra migration, the boating excursion offers a truly unique perspective as the zebra wade into the water to drink.
Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to visit the nearby Khumaga Village. This is an excellent opportunity for guests to gain insight into daily life in Botswana. Leroo La Tau has a strong working relationship with the Khumaga Primary school offering guests the opportunity to visit the school while in the village.
For guests staying three nights or more at Leroo La Tau, a sleep-out experience on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is available. The salt pans sleep out offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the vastness of one of the most extensive salt flats in the world. The salt pan sleep out is available from mid July to the end of October and subject to weather conditions.
For an exceptional experience, add a one-way or return helicopter transfer to the package for a chance to view the salt pans from the air (helicopter flights quoted separately).
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.
The Restaurant and Bar
A dining area which serves buffet-style food and individually plated food or alternative bush dinner
Thatched roof covered lounge and cocktail bar
Your Stay
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
5 Star
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 12
Special Interests: Birding, History & Culture, Nature, Wildlife
Jack's Camp | Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Jack’s Camp is a beacon of style and comfort in the middle of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. Blending into the oasis of palms, the authentic, 1940’s style tented safari camp, includes a private museum, shop, iconic tea tent and a pool pavilion. Spectacular vistas, creative surprises, expert guiding, old world safari styling and superb cuisine all come together to create an experience that is completely unique. The camp features 7 twin and 3 double tents with en suite bathrooms, as well as indoor and private outdoor showers.
Year-round activities include interaction with habituated meerkats, walking with Bushmen guides, game drives, a visit to Chapman's Fallen Baobab, one of the oldest and biggest trees in Africa, bird watching and night drives - all in this unique desert environment. During the dry season activities include quad biking across the salt pans whilst the wet season bears witness to the spectacular zebra and wildebeest migration.
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Video
Rooms
Units
Facilities
Activities and Services
Jack's Camp Main tent exterior
Jack's Camp - Guest TentAerial View of the Guest Tent
Jack's Camp - Guest TentGuest Tent Private Plunge Pool
Jack's Camp - Dining TentDinning Tent
Jack's Camp - Main Tent Main Tent Dinning Area
Jack's Camp - Main TentLounge Area in the Main Tent
Jack's Camp - Main TentPool Table in the Main Area
Jack's Camp - Tea Tent Tea Tent
Jack's Camp - PoolMain Guest Pool
Jack's Camp - Curio ShopCurios Shop
Camp Activities Habituated Meerkats
Jack's CampBushman Cultural Experience
Jack's CampGame Drive
Camp Activity Zebra Migration
Camp ActivityDry season activity, quad biking along the pans
MeerkatsMeetkats
Camp Activity - Horseback Safari Please note that this activity is at an additional charge - kindly contact us for more information
BushmenWalking with local Bushmen
Sunset in the Makgadikgadi
Jack's Camp migration seasonJacks Camp migration season
Jack's Camp sundownersJacks Camp sundowners
The 2 double tents are made up of 1 x extra length king sized bed which includes an overhead cooling system. As you walk into your 135sqm tent, you will be greeted by a beautiful lounge area, which leads out to your own private plunge pool. All tents include private indoor & outdoor showers, charging points and all tents offer 24 hour solar-powered electricity
Max: 2 adults Children of all ages welcome
All 7 twin tents are made up of 2 x extra length queen sized beds which include an overhead cooling system. As you walk into your 135sqm tent, you will be greeted by a beautiful lounge area, which leads out to your own private plunge pool. All tents include private indoor & outdoor showers, charging points and all tents offer 24 hour solar-powered electricity
Max: 2 adults Children of all ages welcome
Jack's Private Camp
Jack’s Private Camp has two bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom, private veranda and day bed. One room will have an extra length king size bed (double) and the other, two extra length king size beds (to use as twin or double), with over bed cooling systems and mosquito nets. The en-suite bathrooms each have two indoor showers, a brass bathtub and an outside shower. Between the bedrooms is a shared living space, with a kitchen, dining area and lounge - leading out onto a private deck with a large swimming pool, overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans.
The interior design pays homage to the property’s much loved 1940s campaign style. The tent is cool and spacious and adorned with a classic East African safari feel. Persian and North African rugs, brass fittings, luxuriant textiles and Natural History mahogany cabinet.
A personal chef and butler service, plus a guide and private vehicle are included in the rate and add to this exclusive experience.
Property Facilities
Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fridge, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower
Services
Credit Card
Take game drives and night drives in custom built 4x4s to spot the unique desert wildlife that inhabit the pans, like the elusive brown hyena or Kalahari lion. Your experienced safari guide will help you discover a desert landscape, pulsating with life. Complete with bush picnics, morning coffees and chilled drinks.
Get up close and personal with our families of meerkats. Leaving camp as the sun begins to rise you will accompany these inquisitive members of the mongoose family as they set off in search of their breakfast. Walk amongst them (you're not allowed to touch or feed them) and if you take a seat you might be lucky enough to be mistaken for a termite mound, where you'll be used as a look out point for predators.
Discover the secrets of the pans with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a fascinating bush walk. See this ancient desert landscape through their eyes. These skilled hunter gatherers will show you how to survive, using their extraordinary tracking skills to uncover a smorgasbord of culinary delights... from bulbs, to scorpions, to berries. Spending time with them is a very rare privilege.
Saddle up to explore this wild, unspoilt area in the same way many of the earliest explorers, hunters
and missionaries did – on horseback! You’ll embark on an adventurous outride (for all level riders). This is an exhilarating way to spot wildlife, cantering along the crusty salt flats and following the animal
highways that bring life to the Makgadikgadi Pans.
This is pure desert adventure! Take an exhilarating quad bike across the salt-crusted pans (all pan activity is weather permitting and dependent on the dryness of the pans). You’ll feel total freedom as you trek across this vast and ancient landscape, discovering so much about the remnants of this once super lake.
Seasonal: April - October
A visit to the Fallen Baobab - one of the three largest and oldest trees in Africa and reputedly the campsite of Livingstone and Selous.
Witness the second largest migration in Africa. A stonking spectacle of black and white stripes
as approximately 30,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate across the Makgadikgadi Pans, followed closely by stalking predators, waiting for the rich pickings of tired hooves. This is a wildlife explosion and an experience not to be missed!
This really is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the Makgadikgadi Pans, doors off (or on), to take in the vastness of this desert landscape. You’ll go in search of the zebra and flamingo migrations (if timed correctly), get dropped on an island of baobabs for lunch, do a bit of sunset sky surfing as you follow the palm tree linings and tell all your friends about it all when you get home.
Grab a fat bike and peddle around the Makgadikgadi Pans. This is a really fun activity for the whole family, and an ideal way to get some exercise. These bikes can easily cruise over the desert terrain, taking you along 4x4 tracks and around the crusty salt flats. Keep a look out for sightings of wildlife, while breathing in the beautiful scenery, alongside the desert silence.
If you are in need of some serious time out, then one of our spa treatments is your perfect escape. Our professional therapist will put you in seventh heaven. Book a back massage overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment from the privacy of your tent. Whichever you decide, you’ll walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are one of the most important breeding sites in southern Africa for
the lesser and greater flamingos. These flying flame birds, arrive in their millions during seasons of good rain, when millions of small shrimp and other crustaceans crack through the salty pan crust to spawn. The result, a pink extravaganza in the heat of the desert. You can also heli to Sua Pan to view the flamingos in Mar - Apr (scenic helicopter flight must be booked).
Your Stay
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 10
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Cycling, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife