Tau Pan Camp (Central Kalahari)

Tau Pan Camp offers accommodation in the first semi-permanent camp situated inside the world famous Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) right on the edge of the beautiful Tau Pan. Recognized for its stark beauty and remoteness.

The camp offers truly incredible views from the elevated ridge of an ancient sand dune; an unusual experience in a land as flat as Botswana. As with its sister camp, Nxai Pan Camp, Tau Pan Camp, uses only solar power; for the generation of electricity, heating of water, and pumping of water from deep under the Kalahari sands. Wastewater is treated in a ‘state of the art’ sewerage treatment plant. and the fully treated water is returned to the sands; from whence it came.

‘Tau’ which means lion in Setswana, is so named for the pride of iconic black-maned Kalahari lions who frequent the camp. With a particular preference for the family tent!

Skip to Tau Pan Camp Rates or Specials Offers

Tau Pan Camp Accommodation

There are 9 x Eco-friendly luxury rooms under thatch, designed and built to remain cool in the summer months and warm in winter. Each room is en suite with a separate flushing toilet, double sinks, and an inside and outside shower. The rooms are airy and spacious with large double or twin beds and a lounge area. Furthermore; an outside deck that captures truly special and captivating views of the wide open spaces and beautiful big skies that this area possesses.

The main area is open plan and under thatch blending into the local landscape. There is a dining area and a lounge/bar area as well as a curio shop.

The main deck houses a plunge pool and has commanding views of Tau Pan and beyond including the nearby permanent waterhole where animals come to quench their thirst.

Sleep out Deck

The camp also has a sleep out deck on the eastern side of the camp. In an area as remote and isolated as the Kalahari desert; the light pollution is minimal to none. Consequently, the stargazing is simply magnificent and unrivaled by most other locations on earth. Having an unobstructed view of the night sky to fall asleep under is a truly memorable experience. The elevated sleep out deck consists of a double bed or 2 x three quarter beds, a washbasin, and a toilet. This experience is available on a first come, first served basis upon arrival in camp. However, guests staying 3 nights or more in Tau Pan can reserve this before arrival.

Botswana Family Safaris

One of the rooms; situated close to the main area is a family room. This unit has an extra bedroom with twin beds (1 shared bathroom). In all other respects, the family room is identical to the other rooms. The family room is prioritized for families with children under the age of 18 and booked on a first come, first serve basis.

Child Policy:

No minimum age in the Mid and High seasons (1st April to 14th November).
Minimum age 6 years from 15th November to 31st March.
Families with children under 12 require a private vehicle.
Children under the age of 18 years must share a room with an adult.

Children are considered from 6 up to 15 years old. A child of 16 years and older will pay the full adult rate.
A maximum of 3 x children in the family room can receive the reduced rate.

There is one “floating” extra bed in the camp therefore 2 x adults and 3 x children could stay in the family room. OR, this extra bed can be utilized in a standard room to form one triple (2 x adults and 1 x child). In addition to the family room; only one triple room can be booked on any given night.

What to do at Tau Pan Camp

The Area:

The Kalahari’s vegetation consists mainly of grasses and acacias as well as stunted scrub and thorn bush. There are over 400 identified plant species present.

The annual rainy season is between December and March when summer temperatures can get quite high. The largely unchanging flat terrain is occasionally interrupted by gentle valleys, sand dunes, and a large number of pans. These pans are invaluable to the wildlife as they supply them with nutrients from the salts and the grasses of the pans. The desert properties (Kalahari) make a perfect contrast to the Okavango Delta and Northern Botswana regions. A great way to start or round off any trip.

Activities at Tau Pan

Activities offered at Tau Pan are game drives, day trips to the well-known Deception Valley, Sunday, Piper and Passarge Pans, star gazing, and nature walks with Bushman trackers. Species that can be found in the Kalahari include oryx, the desert-adapted springbok, jackals, the rare brown hyena, red-crested Korhaan, and herds of wildebeest.

Game drives operate using a guide and tracker, this adds to the experience on two levels. You have two sets of eyes searching out the action and looking for tracks. This ensures a good chance of sightings, especially predators. In addition; having the tracker out front means that the guide is more able to keep you informed and answer all your questions.

As Tau Pan is within a national park; the area is ecologically sensitive. Therefore; there are no night and off-road drives. In addition to game drives, trackers who are all Bushmen from the Central Kalahari take you on informative nature walks. A very worthwhile experience.

Stargazing under the impressive Kalahari night sky is also great here.

Private Vehicle and Guide

Private vehicles are only available for the full stay at any one camp and not part thereof. Booking a private vehicle includes a guide.

Should you wish to book a specific guide, there is a fee of $325 in addition to the private vehicle. Fees for re-positioning and re-locating the Kwando Private Guide are chargeable based on Moremi Air standard rates.

Private vehicle fees are applied to 4 or fewer guests who book it exclusively. All guests are guaranteed a window seat at all camps and operate a maximum of 6 people per vehicle. 5 or 6 guests traveling together will automatically get a private vehicle at no extra charge. Families with children under 12 are required to book a private vehicle.

Private vehicles are charged based on the number of full paying guests. This number does not include tour leaders, pilots, external guides etc. For example, 4 guests and a tour leader pay the 3-4 guests rate.

Tau Pan Camp Accommodation Rates:

We can offer longer stay rates with discounts when you combine your stay at Tau Pan Camp and any of the other Kwando Camps. In the green season, we make use of the 5 Rivers Discounted Rates for even better rates. The child rate is not valid during for the 5 Rivers Season when children pay the full adult price.

Kwando Camps include:
Kwara Camp, Splash Camp, and 4 Rivers Camp in the Kwara Concession,
Kwando Lebala, and Lagoon Camp in the Kwando Concession of Kwando-Linyanti-Chobe River System,
Pom Pom, Rra Dinare and Mma Dinare, Gunns Camp (currently closed), Moremi Crossing in the Okavango Delta.
Nxai Pan – north of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
Tau Pan in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

*From the 1st of December until the 15th of April every year, there is also the awesome 5 Rivers Special when you stay at least 5 – 7 nights of the Kwando Camps.

Holiday Season Surcharge:
20th of December 2026 to the 4th of January 2027 and 26th – 29th March 2027: $ 150.

*Child under 16: Please click on the blue dropdown to see family policies.

There is no single supplement at Tau Pan Camp regardless of the number of nights of stay.

Tau Pan rates include:

Accommodation with all meals and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
All activities
Daily laundry
Emergency medical evacuation cover (all guests must have their own travel and health insurance).
If transfers are with Moremi Air; meet and greet in and out of Maun airport.

Tau Pan Camp accommodation in Central Kalahari Game Reserve safari discounts

Five Rivers Safari Offer

The 5 Rivers Safari runs from 1st December to 15th April every year and offers substantial discounts. Plus no single supplement for the first 2 singles per group. This is a very special time to visit Botswana as it is a time of plenty. Mammals are healthy, and many species bring their young into the world. The bush is emerald green with an abundance of flora and large flocks of migrant bird species. This makes it especially good for photographers.

The 5 Rivers Special has been simplified to offer even more great value. Now with a common price per camp and a common flight rate. To make it even easier to book. The minimum itinerary stay includes a minimum of 2 nights per camp (except it is a minimum of 3 nights for Kwara).

Choose a minimum of 5 nights using:
Nxai Pan, Tau Pan, Moremi Crossing, Rra Dinare, Mma Dinare, Pom Pom

Camps available for stays of 7 nights or more:
Kwara*, Splash, 4 Rivers, Lagoon, Lebala, plus the above camps on minimum 5 night stays

5 Rivers Safari rates

Accommodation from 1st December 2026 – 15th April 2027 is US$ 720 per person per night*
Discounted flights are $ 300 per leg (excluding departure taxes from Maun/Kasane) in 2026 & 2027.

*Kwara surcharge of US$ 150 per person per night with a minimum of 3 nights at this camp.

All flying into and out of camps/lodges MUST be with Moremi Air for the 5 Rivers Safari. All 5 Rivers itineraries must start and end in Maun and/or Kasane. The flight rate is a common one way rate that applies to all legs of a 5 Rivers itinerary. E.G. from Maun to Pom Pom, then Lagoon, then Nxai Pan, then Kasane is 4 legs or 4 flights. Therefore, 4 x US$ 300 per person totaling $ 1,200.

The first 2 singles per group do not pay a single supplement on accommodation. Then, a USD 275 per person per night single supplement applies.

Normal nightly rate inclusions apply to the 5 Rivers Safari. The holiday supplements are excluded. These are 3rd to 6th April 2026, 20th of December 2026 to the 4th of January 2027 and 26th – 29th March 2027: $ 150.

5 Rivers Safari Add-On Rates

For the same 5 Rivers Safari nightly rate, you can include either Chobe Safari Lodge or The Elephant Camp.

Stay for 2 nights at Chobe Safari Lodge including:

Accommodation in a suite, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beverages (excluding premium brands) and laundry.
A choice of 2 activities per night.
Chobe National Park entrance fees for associated activities.
Government Bed Levy and Value Added Tax of 14%.
Complimentary in room WiFi.
Complimentary return transfer from the Kasane International Airport to the Lodge.
Entry to all property amenities including the Elephant Centre, Explorers Lounge, Chobe Bush Walk and Treetops Lookout. And complimentary High Tea from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at the Pavillion.

Chobe Safari Lodge Excludes:
Impact Levy.
Additional meals, beverages and laundry (unless otherwise stated).
All rates exclude premium beverages.
Items of a personal nature and gratuities.
Additional activities, levies and fees other than those clearly indicated.
Dinner at the Cattle Post Steak House or Dinner Cruise.

Or, add 2 nights at The Elephant Camp (Victoria Falls) including:

Tour of the Victoria Falls (park fees excluded) and a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.
A sunset cruise (park fees included).
An elephant interaction.
Cocktails and canapés at Batoka Gorge.
Lunch at the Lookout Cafe including drinks.
A village tour.
Game drives in the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary.
A Victoria Falls Canopy tour as well as birding and nature walks on the concession.
Transfers to/from Victoria Falls & Livingstone airport.

The Elephant Camp Excludes:
Conservation fees and national parks fees for all activities other than the sunset cruise where they are included.
Transfer to/from Kasane.

Repeat Kwando Guest Special:

5% discount for guests who have stayed before (not applicable for new travelers in the same booking with repeat guests). The camps and date of stay need to be provided for verification purposes.
This can be combined with the Long Stay Discount.

Last minute rates

Book to travel within 30 days and receive a discounted rate. These rooms are limited.

Tau Pan Honeymoon Special:

Honeymoon couples get a 50% discount for one adult’s accommodation based on the per person sharing rate.

Plus honeymooners will get:
The couple will receive a wedding gift at their first camp,
A private dinner at any camp during their stay (agreed at the time of booking).

Travel must be within a year of the date on the wedding certificate.

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