The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park stretches away from the banks of the Boteti River, through its hinterland of scrub and grassland. The river and the nutrient-rich western grasslands supply the essential water and sustenance for the herds that inhabit the park.

The lodge is situated on the western bank of the Boteti River, which forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The Boteti River provides a lifeline for the wildlife which inhabit the arid national park and is a critical link in the annual zebra migration. The lodge is the perfect base from which to explore this truly unique piece of Botswana paradise.

The Zebra and Wildebeest herds migrate in their thousands to the river at the end of winter to access the water. The Makgadikgadi is a harsh, dry environment, suited to Oryx and Kudu, but the river provides a life-giving source of water for the Zebra and Wildebeest utilising the eastern grass plains. 

After the start of the rainy season, this desert area teems with wildlife as herds of Zebra and Wildebeest graze to their hearts’ content on the wide-open green grassland plains of the Makgadikgadi. During the wet season there is an influx of migratory bird species, while resident desert species welcome their visitors by showing off their breeding plumage.

WHERE TO STAY?

THE LODGE & ACCOMMODATION
The lodge features twelve luxurious thatched and glass-fronted suites with en-suite bathrooms, each unit raised on a wooden platform overlooking the Boteti River Valley below. With the lodges unique location poised on the edge of the Boteti River enjoying the zebra migration and abundant wildlife that access the river is possible from various vantage points including the guest rooms.

The main lounge and dining area, with its inviting wooden and thatch finish, allows you to relax at the bar while listening to the wide variety of night sounds so characteristic of the African bush. Alternatively you can lounge around the swimming pool or enjoy the panoramic river vista from the game-viewing hide built into the bank of the river.

HOW TO GET THERE?

The lodges and camps are located, for the most part, in remote areas and travellers are linked from one camp to the other by means of light aircraft. Ensuring the crucial links from the hubs of Maun and Kasane to the network of lodges and camps is performed with ease; offered is a fully integrated air charter service.

All of the properties are in close proximity to airfields and some of our lodges have their own private airstrips. 

Unless a private charter is requested and booked as such, your flight transfers have been booked on a ‘seat on plane’ basis. Flight times are arranged according to each day’s requirements to fit in with activities and the movements of all our travellers on any given day. Therefore, aircraft and the day’s scheduling may pick up and drop off other guests en route to your destination. Times will vary from day to day and will be communicated to you the afternoon before departure.

Please note: Owing to their remote location within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the Makgadikgadi Pans themselves are not visited on daily scheduled activities from Lodge.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

  • Home to the second largest zebra migration in the world, where over 25,000 zebra migrate to the Boteti River in the dry winter months (May to October) from their summer grazing ground along the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans.
  • The Makgadikgadi Pans National park includes a portion of the 12000km2 Makgadikgadi Pans, a massive pan which was once believed to be the bed of a massive inland lake. With a three night stay at Leroo La Tau you can enjoy a sleep out on the salt pans for a truly unique Botswana experience.
  • The Boteti River system is another unique ecosystem in Botswana and like other east flowing water sources in the country has a reputation for drying up for many years before it commences to flow again. Animals in this area are dependent on the Boteti River for their daily sustenance.
  • Focussed conservation work by the Botswana Government and the private sector partners have seen the successful re-introduction of White Rhino into this region and this has resulted into positive population growth over the past five years.