Deception Valley Lodge

This is a really nice lodge for a safari in the northern part of the Kalahari. The facilities are top notch with a nice historic building feel. The only drawback with the rooms is that there is no indoor shower, only an outdoor shower which is a little rough in the winter. The food was good and served at a shared table that seated all of the guests. The staff and guides were professional. There were two guides on each game drive - a registered guide and an indigenous San guide. There is also an option for a San cultural encounter, if you'd like to learn more about the original inhabitants of the area. There is a water hole across from the main lodge that attracts a lot of wildlife, including lions both of the mornings we were there. There was also a porcupine that liked to hang out near the pool in early evening. There are some drawbacks in terms of wildlife. There is a lot of tall brush and grass, which can hinder some wildlife viewing. The wildlife in general seemed more skittish, perhaps because there are so few guests/trucks in the area for them to get used to. Some of the animals common to other parts of the Kalahari are not present here (meerkats, flamingos, ostrich, springbok, sociable weavers, wild dogs, wildebeest). Others that were present we did not see (white rhino, any predator except lions, most antelope except kudu and impala).

The lodge is beautiful with colonial style rooms and a beautiful dining area. The food was good, but the staff didn’t look very motivated or happy to serve the clients.

It’s a beautiful small lodge with only 10 luxury rooms (with an outdoor shower). The main area has a great terrasse with a close view on the waterwhole, where we could see elephants, lions, kudu’s and a lot more.|Arriving at the lodge, the whole staff welcomed us with traditional music. The staff and the guides were very friendly and helpful. We stayed for 2 nights. The game drives were already planned, so we didn’t have to organise anything, it was an all inclusive package. We learned a lot from our guide. |The food was delicious. Breakfast and Dinner was served at a big table with all the other guests. Great for sharing experiences.|We felt like being part of the « Deception Valley Lodge Family ». It was a marvellous stay.

This lodge offers simple luxury and a beautiful setting with delicious food and a peaceful and relaxing environment. . The game drives and lion viewings were great and stopping for tea in thd bush was a treat. While there, my companion had a health emergency. From customizing meals, to serving him in his room to organizing an air evacuation, things could not have gone smoother under the circumstances. They improvised a stretcher, got a crew to transport him to the waiting helicopter, and made arrangements for travel for me the next day. They followed up on his care. I do hope I can go back one day. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about flora, fauna, and stars. I highly recommend treating yourself to a few days of relaxation and game drives at DVL. You won't be sorry.

We, a family of 4 (Two Children aged 10 & +13 years) stayed at Deception Valley Lodge at the beginning of October for 3 nights, and we had an absolutely amazing time there!|We got picked up by Knowledge our guide at the air Strip, and received a very warm welcome. On our way to the lodge, we already saw a lot of animals, like zebra, wildebeest, oryx… |The lodge and the room were lovely so much more then we had expected. The food was also very nice, sometimes the portions where a bit to big, but that is just us, we aren’t big eaters. |The view from the deck was great, as there is a waterhole, and a lot of animals come and drink there during day and night. It was our bush TV!|The cultural walk was very interesting, incredible how the San People were able to live in the Kalahari!|But the very best were the drives with Knowledge and his San tracker (unfortunately I can’t remember his name). It was absolutely amazing to see how they were able to track and see all kinds of animals. We even saw a pack of wild dogs, which was the animals I wanted to see most, lions feeding, a cheeky honey badger, eland, lots of kudu and many, many more! Also, Knowledge was great in answering all our questions about the animals and the nature of the Kalahari. We learned a lot!|A Big Thank you to everybody at Deception Valley for this amazing stay, hopefully we will be back sometimes in the future.

Never in my 25+ years of traveling have I experienced a lodge like this: A beautiful place in a remote area that has it all! Great massages, beautiful rooms, amazing food (sometimes served under the African sky) and dedicated guides who will show you all the wildlife that there is and educate you along the way.||But what made this place special is a heartfelt hospitality that is rarely to be seen in hotels these days. You really meet as strangers and leave as friends there. ||Highly, highly recommended.

Fabulous accompaniment to our 9 day camping trip in Botswana. The lodge was so comfortable. Everybody was so welcoming and kind, professional but relaxed. The food was exceptional. Our guide, Knowledge, went above and beyond the call of duty (please don't do that again!). Knowledge and our tracker, Chota, ensured we had the best game viewing. The new manager, Tembo, was extremely attentive to all of our needs, along with the front of house team, Mario and Kisha. The accommodation was spotless.|Anyone thinking of going to Botswana or who have been before, I would highly recommend including the Kalahari, and in particular Deception Valley Lodge. I have travelled in Africa extensively and this place is something special.

Cold when the sun goes down- have a coat and hat.|Beautiful lodge, good food and wonderful amenities. Wildlife at your front porch- I loved watching the watering hole and just finding peace in nature at first dawn.|TT was an amazing guide, attentive and knowledgeable. Georgia & Mario were very hospitable and gracious.