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Deception Valley Lodge

Deception Valley Lodge is located in one of the largest privately owned conservancies, focussing on conversation, in Botswana

Cost Per Night

Perfect For

Couples, Families (6 years and older) and Honeymooners

Why we love it

Explore the wilderness of the Kalahari from the intimate Deception Valley Lodge. Along with the stunning wildlife, spending time with the San Bushmen is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

JOSH Flatman

Luxury Travel Specialist

Providing the perfect contrast to Botswana’s wetter environs further north a stay at Deception Valley Lodge offers guests the chance to experience the Kalahari Desert and the way of the life of the ancient San people, who have lived off this land for thousands of years.

The lodge is set in a 43,000-hectare private conservancy that borders the massive Central Kalahari Game Reserve and because this is a private reserve there are more activities to offer to explore this fascinating area.

Guests have the choice to head out on foot, under the expert guidance of members of the !Naro Bushmen tribe, to learn about the smaller things that you might miss from the game drive vehicle. Your San guides will also demonstrate how they survive in this harsh environment and you will start to see the world through their eyes, in our experience this walk doesn’t come with the awkwardness of some cultural activities and it is a fascinating activity.

Night and day game drives are on offer and each vehicle has a guide as well as a tracker on the front of the vehicle, which helps in the pursuit of big game. In this area there is the chance of some amazing wildlife such as cheetah, wild dog, African wildcat, genet, serval, caracal, zebra, giraffe, eland and kudu as well as the elusive but iconic Kalahari black-maned lion.

Call us on +44 117 313 3300 to start planning your holiday, we’re looking forward to hearing from you

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The lodge

Deception Valley Lodge consists of eight suites including two family suites, only which can accommodate a family a four and the other a family of five. It is small, intimate camp within this huge private reserve and the maximum number of guests possible is just 17.

Reached normally by air pre or post a safari in other areas of Botswana such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park or the Linyanti, Kwando and Selinda Reserves, the airstrip is just a 15 minute game drive from the lodge- depending on what you see along the way.

The suites themselves are all connected to the main area by a series of wooden walkways and inside they are spacious without feeling too vacuous. A large bed dominates the room, with a small lounge to one side and then the ensuite bathroom is found through a door to one side. Enjoy a soak in the rolltop bath or the outdoor shower.

Back at the main area the décor feels a little dated with various artefacts, skins and dark woods dominating the design however it is comfortable and a lovely place to relax. There is an indoor dining room, lounge and bar as well as a deck looking towards the waterhole, which can be productive during the dry season, especially. A small pool is also very welcome during hot Kalahari days.

Facilities

The facilities at Deception Valley Lodge include a swimming pool, eight suites, a lounge, dining areas and viewing deck of the lodge’s waterhole.

Dining

Dining is usually done communally with other guests staying at the camp but private dining can also be arranged.

Why Wayfairer

The private conservancy within which Deception Valley Lodge inhabits and who’s existence is reliant upon tourism from the lodge was once a series of three cattle farms. These were acquired with the aim of returning the land to conservation and allowing the animals to return and thrive, fences were removed and as recently as 2019, five adjacent farms were acquired and incorporated to create one of the largest privately owned conservancies in Botswana.