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Thamo Telele

Thamo Telele is a safari-style lodge in Maun, Botswana, located within a 250-hectare private game reserve on the outskirts of the iconic safari town, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. 

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Price Range

US$250 - US$690 per night

SADC & Local Residents

Enquire with reservations about our SADC & local residents rates
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Welcome!

Safari Style in Maun

Set amongst a lush forest of old growth leadwood and acacia trees, each safari-style tent and thatched chalet at Thamo Telele lodge is a true little bush haven. The reserve is a wildlife sanctuary full of life and surrounded by habitats of river, riverine, woodland and dry savanna brimming with plains game and birdlife, including our special herd of resident giraffe!

Giraffe Encounters

With our team of giraffe specialists at the lodge, we also offer a whole giraffe experience. You’ll get to closely observe these beautiful animals, learn how to identify them and find out why giraffe conservation is so important to their survival. In fact, the lodge was even named after our littlest giraffe born in 2021. Read more about her in our lodge story.

Read our Story

Comfort & Privacy

Accommodation

Set amongst a forest of leadwood and acacia trees, Thamo Telele offers peace and comfort in total privacy. There are 9 private safari-style guest tents (with ensuite bathrooms, bath and outdoor shower) and 2 thatched double chalets (with king size canopy bed, ensuite bathrooms, large bath and outside shower).

There is an awesome, and we mean awesome, lap pool for you to swim in, train in, or laze in. No judgment here! Simply enjoy a little sundeck and solitude. You can grab a sundowner from the main lounge and bar area, where you’ll find comfy couches and locally designed wall art. Saunter outside to sip and sit on the wooden deck, enjoying total tranquillity under the trees.

A candle lit dinner will be served underneath a canopy of stars, on this expansive deck. Relax and unwind knowing that the Okavango Delta is right on your door step.

At a glance

  • 9 tented rooms, 2 thatched chalets
  • Twin or king-size bed configuration
  • Tent rooms have twin beds (which can be converted to doubles)
  • Ensuite bathrooms with bath & outdoor shower (chalets)
  • Ensuite bathrooms with stand-alone bath & outdoor shower (tent)
  • Communal dining & outside deck
  • Air-conditioning and free standing fans in all rooms
  • Laundry service
  • Hairdryers: Yes
  • Wi-Fi available: Yes 
  • 17m swimming pool (main area)
  • Child policy: We welcome all ages
  • Disabled access: please enquire with reservation

Safari Tents

The 9 guest tents are on raised wooden platforms with hardwood floors, and the twin beds have air-conditioning above the bed. The colours are light and bright with a canopy of trees for privacy and nature as your backdrop.

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Private Chalets

The chalets are private, the beds covered in soft white linen and wrapped in flowing netting and topped with plump fluffy pillows. Each air-conditioned chalet is stylishly furnished with pops of bright colour. The en-suite comes with a large bath, his and hers basins and panoramic views of the forest beyond.

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Amazing Encounters

Wildlife at Thamo Telele

There have been over 300 species of birds spotted here. This is a great place for birds like barbets, flycatchers, pearl-spotted owlets and kingfishers. Set amongst a lush forest of leadwood and acacia trees, Thamo Telele, is the perfect hideaway for guests needing to spend a few nights close to Maun. Set in a 250-hectare private reserve on the banks of the Thamalakane river, an area packed with plains game, ideal habitats of river, riverine and dry savannah. A hot spot for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts – you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to all you can see and do here.

Resident Giraffe
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Ostrich
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Zebra and Giraffe
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Pied Kingfisher
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Fish Eagle
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Gemsbok (Oryx)
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Impala
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Birding & Wildlife
Sanctuary

Thamo Telele is Maun’s best wildlife and bird watching sanctuary. It’s ideal habitat of riverine and dry savannah hosts plentiful plains game and is one of the best bird-watching locations in Northern Botswana. 300+ species have been sighted around camp and birders should see 50 to 70 species a day.

Experiences

What to See and Do

Giraffe Sundowner

Meet our herd of resident giraffe. All identified by their spots and lead by our team of specialists.

Horse Riding

Embark on a guided horse ride around the reserve, enjoying close-ups of the wildlife and beautiful birds.

Guided Nature Walks

Grab your binos and comfiest walking shoes to enjoy one of our guided or non-guided nature walks.

Cycling Safari

Choose an early morning or afternoon bike ride on our nature trails. We offer guided or self-guided rides.

Birding

Calling all birders! With over 300 species sighted around the reserve, it’s the place to tick off that list.

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Our Impact

Making a Difference

When you visit and stay with us at Thamo Telele, you will be supporting various community and conservation initiatives in the area. Including giraffe conservation and a local orphanage.

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An idea was born

Thamo Telele Story

Thamo Telele, previously known as Royal Tree Lodge, is now managed by Natural Selection. During the period of refurbishment in late 2021 a female giraffe was born on the reserve. She was very tall at birth and was soon called Thamo Telele which means ‘long neck’ in Setswana. As we observed her grow day-by-day, Thamo Telele captured our hearts in such a profound way, that we decided to rename our ‘new’ lodge after her.

Jerry and Jana Lackey are the stewards of Thamo Telele Private Reserve. They came to Botswana in 1986 to pursue their calling and founded the Love Botswana Outreach Mission. This organisation has grown tremendously in scope and reach, launching over 30 life-changing programs, creating jobs and sustainable programs designed to better lives in the community and the Ngamiland and Okavango districts of Botswana, becoming one of the largest non-profits in the country.

Thamo Telele Private Reserve is a sustainability partner for the work of Love Botswana.

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Special Offers

Whether you’re about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime solo trip, or are celebrating a special occasion, see what could be in store for you at a discounted price. We invite you to check in every now and again to see the latest special deals.

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