Nata Bird Sanctuary Archives - Under One Botswana Sky Blog

An African Birdlife adventure to Chobe and Nata

admin — Thu, 19 May 2022 14:16:35 +0000

From the oasis of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the verdant banks of the Chobe River, Botswana boasts a rich diversity of birdlife over a kaleidoscope of vast and starkly different landscapes. Plus the bonus of other wildlife.

By Andrew de Blocq, the Avitourism Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa.

The Fabled Flamingos of Nata

The flamingos descend in tens of thousands to breed. Constructing mud tower nests for egg-laying, they turn the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans of the Nata Bird Sanctuary into a fantastic flamboyance of pink. Welcome to one of only four breeding sites in Africa for Greater and Lesser Flamingos (the others being Lake Natron in Kenya, Etosha Pan in Namibia, and Kamfers Dam in Kimberley, South Africa).

Nata Bird Sanctuary is a community-run reserve on the eastern tip of the Makgadikgadi Pans and forms part of the Important Bird Area of the same name. Water levels are unpredictable, with inputs from local rainfall and the Nata River system inflows. However, this Kalahari landscape is transformed with seasonal flooding when conditions are just right. A 2009 census counted over 75000 Lesser Flamingos alone – twenty percent higher than the estimated total Southern African population at the time.

With or without flamingos, a visit to Nata Bird Sanctuary still proffers prolific birdlife, particularly waterbirds such as Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, Goliath Heron, African Spoonbills, and a range of ducks and teals around the heads of the Nata and Boteti Rivers.

The raised wooden platform provides an excellent lookout point to treasure this spectacle. Grassland and savanna areas host Kalahari representatives, such as the cacophonous Northern Black Korhaan, Red-necked Falcon, and Common Ostrich, while Blue Wildebeest, Aardwolf and Bat-eared Foxes are viewable too.

As twilight descends, the road to dinner might bear Marsh Owls and several nightjars on the way back to Nata Lodge, which sits just 15 minutes from the Bird Sanctuary.

Image by Andrew de Blocq

Come morning, you’ll soon realise why it’s considered one of the best spots to see Meyer’s Parrots. Still, a stroll around the immaculate grounds of Nata Lodge reveals much more besides. Tropical Boubous, Arrow-marked and Southern Pied Babblers, Red-billed Firefinches and Terrestrial Brownbuls. It is not uncommon for the resident Gabar Goshawk to flush the many African Red-eyed Bulbuls and Grey Go-away Birds from the feeding station within the lodge gardens during breakfast.

While Nata Lodge and the Makgadikgadi Pans make a vibrant oasis in an otherwise desolate landscape, the Chobe region is a veritable Garden of Eden just a few hours’ drive north.

Beautiful Biodiversity!

With incredible wildlife and birding opportunities on-site, Chobe Safari Lodge makes an excellent base. For starters, the Collared Palm Thrush and Northern Grey-headed Sparrow (two highly sought-after species for Southern African birders) are easily found on the grounds with the former associating closely with White-browed Robin-Chats and Swamp Boubous.

Also read: Birding expert shares top 10 birds to tick off at Chobe Safari Lodge

The lodge also organises guided activities into the adjacent national park making your trip hassle-free. Between catching tiger fish and enjoying G&T sundowners on the boat cruise, one can also appreciate Collared and Rock Pratincoles flocks, family groups of African Skimmers, well-camouflaged Water Thick-knees, and White-crowned Lapwings along the banks. Western Cattle Egrets and African Jacanas hang out alongside elephants foraging neck-deep in the flooded grasses, waiting for their cumbersome movements to flush out their insect foods.

The white head and breast of African Fish Eagles are easily picked out from the larger trees punctuating the shoreline. Still, one must be careful to check for other larger raptors on the wing as Martial, and Western Banded Snake Eagles occur as well as larger vultures, such as the Lappet-faced and White-headed.

Keep an eye open for various specials during game drives into Chobe National Park. Racket-tailed Rollers inhabit the teak woodlands and Three-banded Courses enjoy the broad-leafed woodlands, while Yellow-throated Sandgrouse prefers the black cotton soils. Other attractive localised residents include Brown Firefinch and Copper Sunbird. Other local gems like Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Red-headed Quelea, Rock Pratincoles and Pennant-winged Nightjars frequent the area in summer.

Few places on the continent can rival the spectacle, abundance, and diversity that Botswana can deliver. Lucky for South African birders, both Nata and Chobe sit within easy (and affordable) reach.

Find a Birdwatcher’s Paradise at Nata Lodge

Nata Lodge is an ideal overnight oasis on your way to Chobe Safari Lodge. Explore the Nata Bird Sanctuary, sleep soundly and enjoy a hearty breakfast before hitting Kasane.

Nata Lodge also offers tented accommodation set on raised wooden decks nestled under the many beautiful Marula trees. Each one is equipped with twin beds, an en-suite bathroom and a romantic outdoor shower.

Tents from BWP990 | US$114 per room. Contact the lodge directly to check availability and make a reservation. You can call on +267 247 1112 or email reservations@natalodge.com

Enjoy the Riverfront rooms at Chobe Safari Lodge

The Safari Rooms at Chobe Safari Lodge offer every comfort and have views of the lush lawns that roll into the gorgeous Chobe River.

Rooms from BWP2410 | US$236 per room. Contact the lodge directly to check availability and make a reservation. You can call +2676250336 for your preferred dates or email reservations1@chobesafarilodge.com

Rates are valid from 01 April 2022 – 31 March 2023. This article first appeared in Birdlife Africa magazine.

The post An African Birdlife adventure to Chobe and Nata appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Why Botswana’s seasoned safari-goer loves Nata Lodge

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:47:47 +0000

“Vast, picturesque and breathtaking perfectly describes the Makgadikgadi Pans”, Uyapo Ketogetswe wrote after his first look at them from the Nata Bird Sanctuary. This Gaborone local loves travelling Botswana, neighbouring Namibia and the vast continent beyond with visits to Mozambique, Benin and South Africa under his belt. Here’s what this visual artist and travel curator of travel company Passport To loved about Nata.

Also read: An African traveller on Botswana’s abundant wildlife and what surprised her about Chobe

What was the most surprising aspect of Nata Lodge and the Bird Sanctuary?

I found Nata Lodge’s location to be equal parts convenient and easily accessible for all vehicles. Located along the A3 highway, the property is nestled among real fan palm trees which muffle any sounds of motorists.

Photograph by Uyapo Ketogetswe

The picturesque landscapes of Nata Bird Sanctuary make for a scenic off-road drive.

Take in the surroundings and you might see flamingos, pelicans, wildebeest, and more. The lookout point offers magnificent views of the vast salt pans where a beautiful sunrise or sunset over the horizon should not be missed.

Photograph by Melanie van Zyl

What did you like most about the rooms at Nata Lodge?

Photograph by Uyapo Ketogetswe

The luxury chalets at Nata Lodge were surprisingly big, yet cosy. The welcoming clawfoot tub will have you soaking away the day while the generously large king-sized bed was the perfect place to put my feet up and head down as the air conditioner cools the wood-clad room.

What’s your number one must-do activity in Nata?

Photograph by Melanie van Zyl

Sundowners at Nata Bird Sanctuary. Grab your favourite drink and prepare to be wowed.

Anything you wish you knew before travelling to Nata and north? One thing you’d tell your best friend?

Photograph by Melanie van Zyl

Have your phone/camera fully charged or bring a portable power bank. You’ll find it pretty hard to put down your gadgets as you snap away.

As a local, why would you say travellers should visit your Botswana?

There are several reasons Botswana’s tourism offering is loved by the world and why so many travellers return for more trips. Botswana makes for the ultimate safari getaway that’s packed with adventure.

Photograph by Melanie van Zyl

Whether on a self-drive or guided tour, you’re bound to rustle up some magical moments that are guaranteed to impress.

Travel tip: Sit back and relax on a guide sundowner trip to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans with Nata Lodge for P175 per person.

Anything else you’d want to share?

Photograph by Uyapo Ketogetswe

Disconnect from the world and take your time as you discover what Botswana has to offer.

How much is it to stay at Nata Lodge?

Accommodation in the luxury chalets where Uyapo stayed costs from BWP799 per room.

Photograph by Uyapo Ketogetswe

To make a reservation at Nata Lodge call +2676250336 or mail diane@chobesafarilodge.com

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The Sun-kissed Sanctuary of Nata

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 12:43:08 +0000

A lunar-like landscape that extends far beyond sight and that could seemingly not possibly sustain any life, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are, in fact, one of the most important birding sites in Southern Africa, particularly for large populations of greater flamingos that flock to breed in Nata Bird Sanctuary.

These pans lie south-west of the watery playground of the Okavango Delta and are surrounded by the sandy savannas of the Kalahari Desert. While commonly referred to as such, the Makgadikgadi is not a single pan but many pans with sandy desert in between, the largest being the Sua, Nwetwe and Nxai Pans. In fact, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans make up the basin of the Kalahari Desert. Once an enormous lake, all that is left now is a salty desert that holds position as one of the largest salt flats on the planet, covering around 37 000 sq km.

During the dry season, the Boteti River is the only real source of reliable water in the area, which means game-viewing from April to October is generally excellent. A wide variety of buck and antelope, such as eland, gemsbok and red hartebeest, can be found quenching their thirst along the riverbanks, together with their larger counterparts, elephant and giraffe. Where there are such prey animals, there are predators and at the Boteti, these are generally prides of lion and cheetah.

The outlying grassy plains and palm islands along with the dry pans themselves burst into life with the fall of the first rains in November, which continue filling the pans through into March. This is the wet season and the best time for birding. It also becomes a vital environment for migrating animals including wildebeest and one of Africa’s largest zebra populations. As with the dry season, the influx of plains game animals brings along with it increased predator-prey action, making for some potentially exciting sightings.

The surrounding Nata Bird Sanctuary forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands, when the Nata River fills the great Sua Pan. You cannot help but be utterly transfixed as the shoreline turns into a dazzling pink haze that seems to meet up with the clear blue sky.

Located within this unique environment, Nata Lodge provides a shady refuge from the heat of the desert while still blending naturally into its surrounds. Luxury chalets and camping tents balance out the preferences of different types of travellers. The main areas, such as the swimming pool and bar, are spaces to relax and reflect on the day out on the pan or even birdwatch from your pool lounger. Explore the pans via the Nata Bird Sanctuary in a 4×4 vehicle.

Chat to us about your visit to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and how this can be incorporated with other more traditional safari destinations in Botswana.

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Saying ‘Yes’ in Botswana-a guest post by Kelly Kidson

admin — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:50:28 +0000

Kelly Kidson (now Robertson) shares her magical Botswana engagement love story.

What’s the most romantic place on earth you ask? I’d answer without a second thought: ‘It’s Botswana!’ The romance of Botswana is unquestionable. And it was the perfect setting to be asked the most important and ‘butterflies-in-my-tummy’ filled question of my life.

Sunset at the platform in the Magadigadi salt pans © Kelly Robertson

It was the 21st of March, and we were at our happy place. The whiteness of the Makgadikgadi salt pan sands encircled us, interspersed with honey-gold tufts of Botswana grassveld. We dotted that landscape – the only two human dots there. Beside Sowa Pan, its salty water waters licking softly at the shore, he was down on one knee looking up at me with wide eyes and I gasped… loudly. My hands flew to my cheeks in surprise and wordless delight as I realised what was happening. In the next breath I found my voice and repeated the answer from behind the widest grin and tear-blinking eyes. ‘Yes! Of course, yes!’ I shrieked as he placed the one-of-a-kind ring on my waiting finger. He swung me around in his arms, between kisses, giggling and overwhelming happiness.

Engaged!!! ©Kelly Robertson

Too nauseatingly gushy for you? Tough! That’s exactly how it all happened and I haven’t been able to wipe the monkey smile off my face since. If I’m writing like we’re in a Mills and Boons novel set in the pans then I’m ok with that. I was proposed to in my favourite place by the love of my life. I’m completely caught up in the romance of it all so just give into it and share the mushy romance. It’s real.

It was a moment I’ll rewind and watch over and over again in my mind forever. A moment that was ours alone; witnessed only by a solitary pelican on the water, a flock of flamingos that flew over at sunset and a few wildebeest in the far background. It couldn’t have been more perfect. It couldn’t have been anywhere else but Botswana. The exact spot in the Makgadikgadi Pans, where our engagement took place is special to us. It’s on the sandy shoreline at the ‘platform’- a small elevated wooden viewpoint structure next to one of the largest bodies of water within the Nata Bird Sanctuary.

Sowa Pan, Nata Bird Sanctuary © Kelly Robertson

The water is ocean-like in its vastness and from that spot near the platform; you can’t see its end. Birdlife is plentiful and busy, and that’s the only thing that bustles there. It’s quiet. It’s remote. And it’s oh-so-romantic in its wildness and natural beauty.

Just over 3 years before this, we discovered this spot. We were on our first trip as a new couple and on our first night in Botswana we bush-camped right there, at our future engagement site. Similarly, we were the only two humans around then and had the expanse of natural wonderment all to ourselves. We were in awe of it then and on our return trip we felt the same sense of amazement and the feeling that we were part of that landscape.

The rest of our trip transformed into a romantic engagement holiday where we celebrated in our own bush-loving way at each stop. We traversed through the flat, wild and intoxicating landscape that is elephant country from Nata to Kasane, onto a houseboat on the Chobe River and then into the Chobe National Park . We then headed back to the South African border by camping at some incredible spots.

The Botswana bush is wild at heart and murmurs of constant adventure. Sunsets are more vivid and command silence and reflection and the sundowners at the best time of day taste better. It’s the perfect setting for an African love story.

Date in the sand ©Kelly Robertson

Planning a romantic getaway in Botswana?

Kelly Recommends…

Nata Lodge: We were spoilt with champagne, congratulations and chilled bushveld recuperation at Nata Lodge. We especially loved staying in a safari tent there. Ours was next to a giant termite mound and boasted the most romantic outdoor shower too. Nata Lodge is an absolute must as a stop over stop on route towards Chobe whether you camp or treat yourselves to a night in the rustic safari accommodation options. They also offer pan drives as an extra activity and we went on a guided drive through the Nata Bird Sanctuary as part of our stay. Stay for 2 nights if you can.

Original article published on Bushbound Girl. Read the full article here.

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3 Reasons to Visit the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 13:13:32 +0000

‘The Makgadikgadi, a vast salt pan deep in Botswana, must be what the planet looked like before humanity appeared, and what it will look like after we’re gone.’

This is how Todd Pitock, from National Geographic Traveller, describes Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the largest salt flats in the world.

Here are three reasons to visit this lesser-travelled, yet intriguing location:

The Salt Pans

Walking or driving though this expansive wilderness area is a surreal experience. With nothing but silence around you the Makgadikgadi is like something from another planet. When the sun has descended and the nocturnal Botswana greets you there is nothing quite as overwhelmingly beautiful as seeing the explosion of stars filling the skyline.

Nata Sanctuary

Nata Sanctuary, which is part of the Sua Pan, is a community-run wildlife haven that protects a variety of bird species and wildlife. The sanctuary, situated close to Under One Botswana Sky’s Natal Lodge, is a breeding ground for a host of water birds, including pelicans and flamingo. Watching thousands of birds blend into a pink haze reaching as far as the eye can see is a magical sighting.

Cultural Visit

A great way to get to know the Makgadikgadi and its history is to visit one of the local villages. Cultural visits give insight into the lives of the Bushmen and discover how they have learnt to survive in this arid destination with close to nothing.

Originally published on the Good Safari Guide.

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Nata Sanctuary – An Unassuming Oasis

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 07:02:39 +0000

Wide, far reaching landscapes and serene, dreamlike atmosphere. This is how the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is described. It is one of the largest salt pans in the world and entices visitors with its vastness and mystical setting.

Nata Sanctuary, located on the Sowa Pan that forms a part of the Makgadikgadi, is a protected wildlife area and a popular breeding site for flamingos. It’s also a pelican haven and is home to over 150 other bird species as well as a variety of wildlife.

‘We experienced a deep sense of peace, the whole place and its pelicans to ourselves.’ This is how recent Nata Lodge guest, Roxanne Reid, described her visit to the sanctuary.

‘It’s an easy self-drive from Under One Botswana Sky’s Nata Lodge and you might see wildebeest and water birds like pelicans, and experience a sense of quiet solitude.’
Nata Sanctuary is a tranquil, alluring oasis amidst the bare African wilderness.

Read more about Roxanne Reid’s visit to Nata Lodge here.

Nata Lodge Contact Details

Web: www.natalodge.com
Email: reservations@natalodge.com
Tel: (+267) 620 0070 /2/3

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Highlights of the Makgadikgadi, Botswana

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 13:08:39 +0000

The white Makgadikgadi salt pans cover a vast Switzerland-sized patch of Botswana. This was Africa’s largest inland sea a million years ago, before tectonic movement to the west transformed everything. Rivers changed course and water evaporated from the lakes, leaving condensed minerals and salt behind. Today the pans fill only with rain water then dry again to a salty crust.

I first visited Nata Lodge in 2005 after camping rough in the Moremi Game Reserve. I remember it as a welcome oasis of cool and calm. In 2008 there was a devastating fire but the lodge rose again from the ashes in 2010, its wooden cabins as lovely as ever with their freestanding indoor baths and outdoor showers. The lodge is a good place to stop over on your way to Chobe National Park, either in a chalet or at the campsite, and a kick-off point to the community-based Nata Sanctuary. The lodge’s guides take tours to Makgadikgadi pans and the local village of Nata.

Nata Sanctuary

It’s an easy drive (less than 10km) from Under One Botswana Sky’s Nata Lodge to the Nata Sanctuary, which is managed by a trust for the benefit of the local communities of Nata, Manxotae, Sepako and Maposa. We saw a few swirling dust devils in the distance, wildebeest, jackals and a number of bird species but there were no flamingo, the water in the main pan still too deep for them to feed when we were there in May. We did see great white pelicans on a far shoreline and flying overhead. We loved the quiet solitude and the flat, open space where it felt like we could see forever. There’s a small campsite near the entrance gate and a viewing platform about 7km away on the edge of the pan.

Originally posted by Roxanne Reid. Read the whole article here.

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Nata Lodge

admin — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:46:19 +0000

Just a hop and a skip away from the magnificent Makgadikgadi salt pans, Nata Lodge in the Nata area of central Botswana exudes mystery and antiquity. With a bird life that will astound any traveler and the opportunity to witness one of the biggest heard of Zebra in Africa, this is a destination not to be missed.

What was once a lake the size of Switzerland, Makgadikgadi dried up thousands of years ago and now makes up a collection of many salt pans, the biggest one being 4921 km2. It is one of the biggest salt flats in the world and is now home to a spectacular array of bird life that draws tourists from all over the world. After the rainy season animals are drawn to the water and it becomes an oasis of colour and life.

Nata Lodge offers quad bike rides that take you along the edge of the water that collects in the pans during the rainy months. Watch as the biggest heard of Zebra in the wild drink from the waters. Flamingo turn the water pink as they come here to breed. It is the only breeding population of Greater Flamingos in Southern Africa. Boababs tower over migrating Wildebeest grazing in the surrounding grasslands.

Close to the Chobe area, take a drive and see the majestic Chobe elephants in their natural environment. Nata Lodge offers guided tours to the Nata Sanctuary. This forms the only breeding ground for a multitude of water birds including thousands of pelicans and flamingos.

Spend your vacation in a selection of Nata Lodge fantastic options in accommodation. Chose between luxury thatched chalets, custom designed safari tents and the camp site for those looking for a more bush safari adventure. All accommodation offers peaceful, tranquil and stylish settings with amazing friendly and professional service.

Originally published on Travel Adventures Botswana.

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