Botswana is certainly one of the premier wildlife destinations in Africa and over 40% of its land is protected by the government in national parks and reserves. Most travelers stick to the Northern area and make a circuit through Chobe/Linyanti/Savute areas and the Okavango Delta. Africa Easy highly recommends that travelers stay a bit longer and get off the beaten path by venturing into the Makgadikgadi area or the Kalahari. Here’s a bit of history on Botswana…

 
Botswana, previously known as Bechuanaland, was first inhabited by the semi-nomadic San people, bantu-speaking tribes, from the north who moved into the area before the first millennium and before the European missionaries arrived in the mid-19th century. In 1885, to counter Boer expansion from South Africa and Ndebele incursions led by Mzilikazi from the north, Bechuanaland came under British protection. By 1895, Rhodes’ British South Africa Company hoped to annex Bechuanaland, prompting three Botswana chiefs to persuade Queen Victoria to keep their land under British control. The British administered the Bechauanaland Protectorate until 1966 when Botswana was granted full independence under the leadership of Seretse Khama. Diamonds were discovered in 1967, which brought rapid growth to Botswana. Today, the country boasts an enviable record of democracy and human rights, healthy foreign reserves and is considered one of Africa’s economic success stories.

 

One of our favorite spots in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is Leroo La Tau. The lodge is situated on the western bank of the Boteti River, northwest of Khumaga Village (approximately 140 miles southeast of Maun). The eastern bank of the River forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National park, which stretches from the riverbank towards its interior of scrubland  and mineral rich grasslands. The lodge offers both scheduled guided day and night game drives. Depending on the water levels of the Boteti River, boat activities may also be available. Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to visit the nearby village, as can guided nature walks in the area. Travelers should note that due to the remote location of the Pans within the National Park, the actual Makgadikgadi Pans are not visited on daily scheduled activities from Leroo La Tau. 


Leroo La Tau translates as “lion’s paw”, but although the surrounding area features abundant lion, zebra and wildebeest, it also boasts Chobe bushbuck, leopard, cheetah, brown and spotted hyena, impala, kudu, jackal, porcupine, genet, caracal and more. Additionally, there is also the possibility of spotting the rare white rhino. 


With just 12 thatched chalets, each with en-suite bathrooms, a dining room, reading room and bar in the main lodge, expansive wooden decks and a plunge pool, 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.  


Contact us to customize your safari itinerary to include Leroo La Tau.