Deception Valley Lodge

Deception Valley Lodge in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, gives you a unique opportunity to learn first hand about San history and culture.

Though there are few Kalahari Bushmen who still live exclusively by hunter-gathering, the knowledge of these age-old skills has not been lost. San Bushmen from the lodge staff take you on a three-hour trail and demonstrate the skills – how to find a water-storing plants, which trees to use for making tools and twine, fire-making, and the rudiments of trapping and hunting game - that have enabled them to survive in one of the least hospitable environments in Africa. This is one of the most enriching experiences you can have in southern Africa and we highly recommend it. This luxury lodge has eight comfortable double bedrooms connected to the main lodge via walkways raised above the sand. All bedrooms have a lounge area, Victorian style bathroom, an outside shower and ceiling fans. Private decks overlook the immense Kalahari horizons.

Activities

The camp also offers game drives in 4WD vehicles where you can track the rare Kalahari lion, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudo and gemsbok, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the elusive, brown hyena.

There is fabulous birding in the area, especially in the Nata River Delta after good rains, usually from December to April. You will see flamingos, herons, blacksmith plover, re-knobbed coot, cormorants and egret, as well as vulture and rare species indigenous to the area.

Children

An inter-connecting tent is available for families. Our consultants can advise you on the best family-friendly safari options.