Discover the illusion of the lake in Deception Pan

Deception Pan is only one of many pans in the Central Kalahari, yet it is so special that it has given a whole valley the name ‘Deception’. From a distance the pan looks like a lake, but the apparent sheet of water is nothing more than an illusion.

The surface of the pan is made of anthracite-coloured rock and strongly resembles cooled lava. Depending on the time of year you stand here, the lichens glow red or yellow. The pan bears the name Deception, which means ‘Täuschung’ in German and describes this natural phenomenon very well. You can see the illusion best on the satellite view on the map below.

A track leads all the way around the pan. If you are here during the rainy season, check the track first, as it can get very muddy and hard to drive. You should also scan the bushes at the edge of the pan carefully because, with a bit of luck, you may spot the strikingly large ears of bat-eared foxes.