1. Overview
This article explores the unique experience offered by Desert & Delta Safaris, where guests can spend a night under the stars on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan in Botswana.
2. The Magic of Sleeping Under the Stars
There’s nothing quite like sleeping out under a wide expanse of sky, and that’s even more special when it’s on a gorgeous stretch of salt pan in Botswana.
Desert & Delta Safaris offers guests the chance to spend the night open to the elements on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. This is part of the largest series of salt pans in the world, according to UNESCO. The experience is set up with a comfortable “bedroll” including a duvet, pillow, and extra warm blankets. Guests can enjoy an open fire and a bush menu, traditionally prepared and cooked under the stars—think grilled lamb chops and African boerewors sausages.
3. Immersive Natural Experience
Andrew Flatt, the director of marketing for Desert & Delta Safaris, describes the salt pans as a place where one can feel humbled by the expanse of the universe. “There is nothing between you and the African night sky,” he explains. “This is a place completely off the grid, where guests can really feel the earth’s presence in all her glory, and recognize how small we are as humans within a larger ecosystem.”
4. Exclusive Guest Opportunity
The sleep-out experience is offered as a complimentary add-on for guests who stay three nights or longer at the company’s Leroo La Tau lodge. However, this remarkable experience is limited to six guests at a time and must be reserved prior to arrival.
Consequently, there is no Wi-Fi or cell phone reception available, making it an ideal location for a digital detox.
5. Getting There and What to Expect
The sleep-out experience, fully launched last summer, allows guests to experience vast horizons. To get there, guests can drive over bumpy roads and across the Boteti River, taking about five to six hours. Alternatively, an upgrade to a 30-minute open-door helicopter flight is available.
In the morning, guests can savor a delightful breakfast, including eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, and honey and cinnamon oats porridge, before returning to the main lodge.
6. A Life-Changing Experience
Flatt emphasizes that this experience is “quiet, profound, romantic, and life-changing.” It serves as a chance to reflect on what is truly important in life.
7. Seasonal Availability
This exclusive experience is available during Botswana’s dry season, from July 15 through October 31 each year. It’s complimentary for guests staying three nights or longer, but can also be booked privately for guests staying shorter durations for $750.
