Rating: Mid-range
Deception Valley Lodge offers comfy, en-suite accommodation in the Kalahari region of Botswana not far from the famous Okavango Delta. Here you can experience the best of the Kalahari and the Moremi Game Reserve. Bushman culture is another highlight at this lodge and you have the opportunity to join Bushmen on a walk and learn about this fascinating way of life, survival and hunting skills.
Deception Valley Lodge accommodates up to 16 people on a sharing basis. Each of the eight twin-bedded individual units stand on stilts and are connected with the main lodge by wooden walkways. Every chalet has an en-suite Victorian style bathroom, an outside shower and a private spacious lounge. All are fitted with ceiling fans and mosquito nets and a mini-bar.
The main complex consists of a dining room, lounge and bar area decorated in warm Kalahari colours making use of Bushman and other African artifacts. From the deck you can view activities at the nearby waterhole. There is also a curio shop and a small library. The swimming pool is situated close to the main complex, offering guests the chance to cool off and relax.
Acitivities include day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, nature walks and bird watching, as well as guided cultural walks with Kalahari Bushmen, the lodge's speciality.
Open: Open all year.
Location: The lodge is located in an oasis in a private concession on the edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve not far from the Okavango Delta. There is an airstrip about a 15 minute drive from the lodge. The flight from Maun takes about 30 minutes.
Rooms: 8 chalets built on stilts and linked by wooden walkways. Each one has a separate lounge, en-suite bathroom with a bathtub, and an outdoor shower.
Activities: Walking safaris with local Naro Bushmen, guided nature walks, bird watching, day and night game drives, and sleep outs.
Facilities: Central area comprises the dining room, bar and outdoor lounge with sofas and day beds. There is a game viewing deck overlooking the watering hole. The lodge has a small library and curio shop. There is a swimming pool.
Dining: Meals are served communally in the dining room. Some evening meals are taken outside by the firepit.
Children: The lodge accepts children over the age of 8 and there is a family chalet. Families with children between 8 and 12 will need to book a private vehicle at extra cost. The pool is unfenced and children must be kept under constant supervision.
Health: This is a malarial area.
Communication: There is no telephone or cellphone reception at the lodge. There is wifi in the main area, though guests need to bring their own devices (laptop, tablet, smartphone etc).
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0"Wonderful place to stay, great food and hugely informative game drives."