Leroo La Tau in the Kalahari
Leroo La Tau is situated on the western bank of the Boteti River, northwest of Khumaga Village and about 140 kilometres southeast of Maun. The eastern bank of the Boteti River forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, which stretches away from the riverbank towards its interior of scrubland and mineral rich grasslands.
The Boteti River is the main outflow of the Okavango Delta, collecting the water that flows past Maun, and stretching about 250 kilometres southeast to Lake Xau on the extreme south western edge of the great Makgadikgadi salt pans.
In the mid 1980s the flood waters of the Okavango Delta started to decline as the region entered a cycle of low rainfall, and consequently the Boteti River began to recede. The river stopped in 1988, and by the mid 1990s had dried up completely.
Leroo La Tau was left with a few waterholes in the riverbed which remained home to a small pod of landlocked hippo, together with crocodiles which became completely terrestrial, making dens in riverbank ‘caves’ opposite the lodge. Large quantities of zebra and wildebeest continued to graze the rich grass plains, migrating to the Boteti River at the end of winter to access the remaining waterholes.
In 2009, two decades after the Boteti River stopped flowing record rainfall resulted in the highest Okavango flood levels for 25 years. The Boteti River began flowing again once more.
Leroo La Tau is built on cliffs over 10 metres above this changing riverbed environment, offering a raised vantage point which ensures unsurpassed views of the river and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to the east.
FACILITIES: The lodge features 12 luxurious thatched and glass fronted suites with en-suite bathrooms, each one raised on a wooden platform. The main lounge and dining area, with its inviting wooden and thatch finish, offers guests the opportunity to sit back and 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.
ACTIVITIES: The lodge offers both scheduled guided day and night game drives. Depending on the water levels of the Boteti River, boat activities can also be provided. Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to visit Khumaga Village, as can guided nature walks in the area surrounding the lodge.
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 and caracal, to name but a few. In addition, there is also the possibility of seeing the rare white rhinoceros.
Please note: Due to their remote location within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the physical Makgadikgadi Pans are not visited on daily scheduled activities from Leroo La Tau.
CHILDREN: Regretfully, we are unable to accept children under the age of six. Families with children aged 6-11 will be required to book private activities at an additional cost, the nature of which may be subject to the discretion of the managers or guides. Children aged 12-15 must share accommodation with a parent. No childcare or babysitting service is provided at any of our properties and children remain the responsibility of their parents at all times.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: Your stay at Leroo La Tau is inclusive of accommodation, all meals, local brand drinks, scheduled game-viewing activities, emergency medical evacuation insurance to regional medical facility, and a complimentary laundry service for guests staying more than one night.
WHAT IS EXCLUDED: Tips, gratuities and premium brand drinks. Guests are welcome to buy items from our Curio Shop and any forgotten items of a personal nature can also be purchased at the lodge.
