Fortunate enough to obtain near exclusive rights to the building of a permanent wild property on the Kalahari Reserve, Kwando Safaris has established in Tau Pan a camp that is both luxurious and beautifully designed.
Overview
Opened in March 2009, the camp is situated on the edge of Tau Pan, and is within reach of Deception Valley. Good during the dry season (for those interested in desert specialists like the black maned lion and the brown hyena), it is also fantastically placed for the wet season.
Overlooking a permanent waterhole, Tau Pan’s shared area is a thatched and well balanced lodge, which houses the dining room and lounge. There is also a swimming pool and shop. Dominated by a large wildlife viewing deck, it is the focal point of Tau Pan, and provides its guests with an area that, at night, is fire lit and wonderfully welcoming.
Food & service
The food is varied, delicious and beautifully presented, while specific diets are easily accommodated for. The service is efficient and welcoming.
Rooms
There are nine thatched rooms. One is purpose built for a four person family, and the other eight are twin/double units. While the designs are ostensibly European, the parts that make up the whole are African. The walls have been chosen due to their insulating properties, providing warmth at night and a cool retreat during the day.
Each room is open plan, possesses a large four poster bed, a fan, an outdoor and indoor shower, a private deck, and is large enough to accommodate a small seating area. The decor is simple and thoughtful. Please note there is no Wi-Fi signal at the camp.
Please note: children are welcome at the camp, but family with children under 12 must book a private vehicle for wildlife drives. Up to two children under the age of 12 sharing the family room are eligible for a discount.
Activities
Wildlife drives are the norm here, as are San guided educational walks and the new sleep-out desk is a highlight for guests.
Impact
Conservation
Kwando Safaris camps are pioneering the comprehensive use of eco-friendly power, hot water generation and waste water treatment at this camp. Moreover all waste water at Kwando Safaris camps is treated using above ground state-of-the-art sewerage treatment plants. This ensures that there is no cross contamination of the soils or ground water through discharge of grey or black water. The fully treated end product is eventually returned to the ground.
Commerce
Kwando Safaris is a solely citizen-owned company and takes its employment and empowerment policies very seriously. All of Kwando Safaris’ operations, including the sales and reservations team, are based in Maun, the tourism capital of Botswana.
Many of the camp managers started off in junior positions, the guides as trackers, and receptionists as waiters or tent ladies. The company pay scales are at the top of the industry in Botswana and both merit and long service awards are made to staff.
Community
As part of the company’s social responsibility programme, Kwando Safaris supports the Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT). The LKCT supports several charitable initiatives throughout the country and Kwando Safaris operates a ‘matching’ scheme for the benefit of the Trust and its associated charitable beneficiaries.