Under One Botswana Sky Archives - Under One Botswana Sky Blog

The Charm of Chobe National Park

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 20:30:17 +0000

Chobe National Park is 11700 square kilometers of charming scenery characterised by the meandering Chobe River and the large game animals that thrive off it.

Chobe was Botswana’s first national park; first named Chobe Game Reserve in 1960 and then officially a national park seven years later. Located in Botswana’s beautiful northern region, Chobe is rich in biological and topographical diversity as well as an abundance of animal and bird life.

Here are just three aspects of many that make Chobe National Park a charming destination in Botswana:

River landscape

The Chobe River is the major natural feature in the landscape of Chobe National Park. Fanning out from this magnificent river and its forests, the park is characterised by floodplains and seasonal marshes that become incredible rocky outcrops beyond.

The park can be divided up into four areas according to their distinct ecosystems. These are the Chobe riverfront (also known as the Serondela area), the Savuti Marsh and Mababe Depression, the Linyanti Marsh with its jackalberry and sausage trees, and the lesser known Nogatsaa Pan covered in mopane and deciduous woodlands.

Elephants, elephants everywhere

Home to around 120 000 elephants, it is quite fitting that Chobe is fondly known as ‘The Land of Giants’. This is the highest elephant concentration in Africa and the largest continuous surviving elephant population on earth.

This impressive population lives in and around the park, making quite a splash as they head down to playfully swim and drink in the Chobe River during Botswana’s dry season from about May to October. As the rainy season sweeps across Botswana, they journey for 200 kilometres to the south-eastern regions of the park and beyond.

Watery wildlife playground

Chobe is celebrated for more than just its hefty herds of elephants. Healthy populations of buffalo and hippo are a part of the ‘wildlife furniture’ of Chobe and can be seen daily taking up their grazing spots on the lush riverbank or wallowing in the river’s cool waters.

Along with elephants and buffalo, the two feline members of Africa’s fierce and famous Big 5 are also found in Chobe. Lions often lie in wait nearby the riverbanks, stalking buffalo and other game animals such as bushbuck and puku. Leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena are fairly easily sighted further inside the park.

Birders can find out more about going on a summer birding safari in Chobe National Park.

Chat to us about planning your future safari in charming Chobe National Park.

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An Insider’s Guide to Stargazing in the Kalahari Desert

admin — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 08:14:56 +0000

As day turns to night over the Kalahari Desert in remote Botswana, the dark blue-black sky becomes the scene of bright stars dancing freely, without the hindrance of light pollution that hides them when looking up from a city or town.

The ability to easily “count the stars in one of the darkest spots on the planet”, is why National Geographic listed the Kalahari Desert or !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park as one of the best destinations to visit this year. It is one of a few International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world, as there is almost no light, sound pollution and cloud cover over the park for most of the year.

The Kalahari scores almost 21.9 on the sky quality meter of darkness. As 22 represents zero light and thus is the highest possible score, it is easy to see why the Kalahari captures the minds of casual stargazers and professional astronomers the world over. Along with the Southern Cross, you are treated to other spectacular constellations in this remote wilderness in the Southern Hemisphere.

This three-step insider’s guide will make sure you have the ultimate stargazing experience in the Kalahari Desert:

1. Visit in the dry season

From around April to October, and particularly during Botswana’s winter months, rain showers are few and far between, which means the sky is clear and the stars are at their brightest.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and broader Kalahari Desert can be included in a self-drive holiday in Botswana

Even though the dry season signals the busiest time for safaris across most of Botswana, the combination of the Kalahari’s vastness and it not being considered a traditional wildlife destination, means you will be off the beaten track without the hubbub of other tourists. Perhaps the perfect place for your first holiday of the decade?

2. Stay in desert luxury

When you aren’t looking up at the night sky, you will want to experience Botswana’s famous hospitality and luxury in a relaxed setting such as that felt at Nata Lodge in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

Nata Lodge offers three types of accommodation, such as this luxury en-suite thatched chalet

These salt pans are found in the heart of the Kalahari Desert’s northern region and Nata Lodge blends seamlessly into this surrounding landscape of desert sand, salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands. The lodge caters for all travelling styles with 22 thatched chalets and 10 Meru tents (both types are en-suite) built on raised wooden platforms as well as a camping site.

3. Meet the feathered residents

Starry nights aside, the Nata Sanctuary in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans is a birder’s delight. The helmeted guineafowl, crested francolin, yellow hornbill, pied and arrow-marked babblers, glossy starling, Meyers parrot and paradise whydah can all be spotted around Nata Lodge.

Flamingos migrate to the Kalahari Desert in summer to breed and rear their chicks in the flooded Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

The annual flooding of Nata Sanctuary by the Nata River brings thousands of migratory pelicans and flamingos that use this watery playground as one of just a few important breeding sites in Africa. This happens in the summer months, so if you want to combine stargazing with really incredible birding, you might have some cloudy nights. This is nevertheless a good way to see both of the major draw cards of the Makagadikgadi and Kalahari Desert.

Chat to us about making the most of your Botswana safari by travelling at the right time and to the right place for what you want to experience.

All images courtesy of Melanie van Zyl.

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Botswana: A Top Travel Destination in 2020

admin — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 11:05:34 +0000

The international travel and tourism industry has weighed in on which are the top travel destination candidates in 2020 and Botswana has once again been awarded a well-deserved spot on that list.

A land of remote and contrasting wilderness regions, where ticking clocks are replaced by the rising and setting of the sun as the best times for game and bird watching, Botswana has always been one of the – if not the – top travel destinations in Southern Africa for newbies and long-time enthusiasts that want an authentic wildlife safari experience.

“While many southern African countries monetized the safari as an economy of scale, Botswana leaned into exclusivity instead of volume, championing singular, upmarket experiences for the few instead of midrange camps for the many. The strategy paid off as the peaceful nation has garnered an international reputation for its roaring population of wildlife versus a small huddle of tourists” – Harper’s Bazaar, 30 December 2019

Quality over quantity

As referred to by Harper’s Bazaar above, Botswana’s ‘quality over quantity’ ethos has ensured that the wildlife safari experience here has remained true to its origins. So, for example, exploring the bush and encountering wildlife within the private concessions of the Okavango Delta is not marred by the exhaust fumes, clicking cameras and blocked visibility of other 4x4s that can often define a safari in other countries.

Small, open-sided vehicles give all guests good views of the Okavango Delta without negatively impacting on the wildlife they encounter © Melanie van Zyl

Tourism done responsibly

It is this particular approach taken by the government and travel industry that has made Botswana stand out from its neighbours in a way that really counts. Sustainable and responsible tourism initiatives form an integral part of each safari lodge and camp’s investment into community empowerment, wildlife conservation and ecosystem protection.

African wild dogs are one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most endangered species so refuges like Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta are key to their survival © Melanie van Zyl

Wildlife comes first

On the whole, regulations regarding human activity and property development in Botswana’s key wilderness areas are consistently enforced, which results in high standards within the safari industry. For instance, boating on the Chobe River does not disturb the goings on of aquatic animal and bird life as accessibility to this important ecosystem is limited and regulated.

Hippos and other wildlife in the Chobe River are not encroached upon and trained guides understand animal behaviours so as to change course if necessary © Melanie van Zyl

Luxury with respect

Safari camps and lodges ensure guests are afforded modern luxuries but not at the expense of the surrounding environment. Properties are generally small and unfenced so that animals’ natural pathways and access to food and water are, as far as possible, not blocked. Guests are briefed on safari etiquette that is applied when at their accommodation and out in the bush walking, driving or boating.

The ability of animals to roam being freely in their natural habitats is vital for them and a welcome sight by guests at their safari accommodation © Melanie van Zyl

We love Botswana and are confident that you will from your very first safari in its magical wilderness areas. Chat to us if you want to experience this top travel destination in 2020.

Feature image courtesy of Melanie van Zyl.

The post Botswana: A Top Travel Destination in 2020 appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

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.

The post The Sun-kissed Sanctuary of Nata appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

2019 Guests Reveal Why a Botswana Safari is a Must

admin — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 12:27:53 +0000

If you are considering going on a Botswana safari but not sure what it really is all about and whether it is actually worth the investment, then this one is for you. Take a read through what some of guests had to say on TripAdvisor about the safaris they have taken this year to Botswana’s various wilderness destinations.

Chobe Bush Lodge

A fantastic experience

After a long day of travel and a short boat trip to cross into Botswana we were warmly welcomed and immediately sent off on a game drive. Our guide and driver was Kenny and we were soon to be thrilled with our experience. The entrance to the Chobe National Park is close to the hotel so we were soon immersed in elephant, lion, impala, kudu and giraffe. Not to mention dozens of amazing breeds of bird.

On our return we found our huge room, B6, to be bright, airy and very clean. It had large patio doors opening out onto an area of bush so we had impala and warthogs as our neighbours. Dinner was great and the staff were friendly and helpful. We had an early morning visit to the park before a great breakfast.

Written by: Terry H
Home location: Billericay, UK

Chobe Safari Lodge

Excellent customer relations, terrific buffet

The staff are tops. As a single woman, I often receive less attention/consideration than couples or men. To my delight, I was extremely welcomed by not just the Director of Guests but all staff. Easy to book safaris/river cruises; clean rooms with mosquito netting; superb buffets that included a selection of exotic game meats.

Watched warthogs root around while vervet monkeys, baboons, banded mongoose and bushbuck roamed in front of my room. The spa was under remodel so can’t speak for the services. Gorgeous sunsets. Sigh.

Written by: Lisa F
Home location: Unknown

Nata Lodge

Wonderful facilities

Great place to stay for camping. Camping grounds had best facilities we came across in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe particularly the showers and toilets. Couple of people in our group upgraded to chalets and they looked very good also.

Nice bar and restaurant with friendly staff. They have a pool but it’s very cold and you can only spend a minute or so in it, although it’s refreshing and worth a jump in and out. Great place to explore the salt flats from.

Written by: Jason S
Home location: Melbourne, Australia

Gunn’s Camp

Wonderful wildlife and knowledgeable guides

We came to Gunn’s Camp when the water level was very low, so we went on a boat ride in a channel and on a couple of walks. We saw some amazing wildlife, including a bat-eared fox and a pod of 50-69 hippos. There were so many beautiful birds as well. The guides really knew where to go and how to behave around animals and were so knowledgeable.

The staff were very hospitable and the fruit bats at the entrance were cute. Would love to come back again! I saw a comment by somebody complaining about the lack of field vehicles for safaris (!). This is a place in the middle of the delta, typically with little dry land on which to walk or drive, but spectacular views. This is a unique feature of this area and not a flaw.

Written by: Tbosak
Home location: Massachusetts, USA

Moremi Crossing

Fabulous experience

My husband and I absolutely loved our time at Moremi Crossing. It was more than we could have imagined. The camp was perfect. It was so quiet and connected to the natural environment. We were given a warm greeting by Onks, the Camp Manager. Loved the very personal attention.

Our game guide, Stanley, was wonderful and very knowledgeable as was our spotter, Max. They knew how to find the animals! They showed us 3-week old lion cubs. Also we spent 45 minutes watching a leopard up close. Saw lots of elephants, hippos, cape buffalo, etc and thousands of impalas. I loved the fact that we were virtually alone…6 of us…on our game drives. These great memories will stay with us forever.

Written by: Barbara C
Home location: Edmonton, Canada

Pom Pom Camp

Highlight of our trip

Recently stayed at Pom Pom camp as the first stop of a 3-week holiday. It set the benchmark for the rest of the trip. The staff were super knowledgeable and helpful, the animal life was nothing short of amazing and we still cannot believe how close our guides were able to get us to the unique African animals.

Could not have had a better start to our trip of a lifetime. Incredible!! Loved the atmosphere of the camp, wonderful food, brilliant safari drives… it was all better than expected. Thank you Pom Pom people!!!

Written by: Fusstidious
Home location: Ballina, Australia

Rra Dinare

The iconic African experience!

As the other reviews have mentioned, this camp (posh tents) was truly a memorable experience especially as my first safari adventure and staying away from anything remotely urban!! The tents were very comfortable as mentioned and the outdoor showers were blissful! It was a dreamlike existence with the most delightful staff run by Andy and Dineo who were so caring and thoughtful. We had delicious meals, we were brought hot tea or coffee early morning as our wake up call before a quick breakfast and morning drive.

Then we had a brunch which was wonderful with a colourful variety of dishes along with eggs. Before the afternoon/evening drive we had another small meal and the dinner was served nightly at 8pm. We did see so many animals including leopard and lions!! Graceful giraffes and zebras and impalas!! Everything was perfection!

I would like everyone to have this unique experience! I must also say that the guides were terrific! They had such knowledge and passion!! I had a lot of drives with Amos, Moroko, Sixteen and Emaxx; also Moss for a nature walk!

Written by: Nancy Rose
Home location: London, UK

Mma Dinare

Best experience of our Africa trip

This place was absolutely delightful for our group of 10. The accommodation was superior and on a scale of 10 the staff was 15. They were very friendly, accommodating and fun to be around. The food was very good, varied and interesting. The Co-manager, Mmapula, who was in attendance while the other Manager was away, watched us make Bloody Marys one day after our morning drive and had a tray of them for us after the morning drive the next day without being asked to do so.

The Big 5 were in the area when we visited and some of us saw them as well as cheetahs, and were told that it was unusual to see cheetahs and leopards in the same day which happened in our case. We had such a wonderful time that we want to go back for another visit even though we likely could never replicate the wildlife experiences.

My wife and I have traveled extensively over the years, and are foodies, as well, and this was the next best experience we have had aside from our honeymoon. We had spent 3 nights before the 3 here in a lodge near Kasane, then went to Victoria Falls for one night and then on to Cape Town and wine country for 5 nights before returning to the States.

Written by: Bernie B
Home location: Florida, USA

Feeling inspired now to book your own Botswana safari in the new year? Then chat to us!

The post 2019 Guests Reveal Why a Botswana Safari is a Must appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Rare Feathered Friend Visits Chobe Bush Lodge

admin — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 13:37:05 +0000

There has been much excitement around Chobe Bush Lodge recently, as a pair of red-throated twinspots was sighted in the area, a rare occurance as they are normally found in Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands and Mozambique.

Also known as Peter’s twinspot, the red-throated twinspot (Hypargos niveoguttatus) is a small bird about the size of a house sparrow – its height at 13 cms and weight just 15 grams. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and small inverterbrates, like flies and worms. You will usually find them in woodlands, grasslands and riverine areas in pairs or flocks, rather than as single birds.

The male of the species will, like most birds, have plumage and colours that are different to that of the female. These birds are monogamous unless its mate dies, at which point it will search for a new mate. The nest among the branches of a tree or shrub and lay about three white eggs.

Male red-throated twinspot

Female red-throated twinspot

Sightings like these are always special for everyone but in particular the avid birders. Even without rare sightings like these lovely red-throated twinspots, Chobe National Park is an excellent birding safari destination throughout the year. The Chobe River provides ideal conditions for an impressive diversity of water birds, like the African darter, slaty egret and squacco heron, and then, from November to April, Chobe really shows off as a birding safari destination the migrant species in full breeding plumage make their stopover in the park.

An easy way to get up close to these feathered beauties is on a private boat cruise. Whether a professional photographer or developing a burgeoning interest in the craft, the boat will afford you the opportunity to get some great shots, particularly since the birds are relatively indifferent to the boats. Staying at either Chobe Bush Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge, puts you right where the action is on the river!

Contact us to book your birding safari in Chobe National Park.

The post Rare Feathered Friend Visits Chobe Bush Lodge appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Festive Family Safari in Chobe National Park

admin — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 13:57:38 +0000

A family safari in Chobe National Park is an excellent way of retreating from the hustle and bustle of every day life to create special, lifelong memories together in the bush.

For a family visiting Chobe National Park in northern Botswana, there is loads of excitement to be had in the wilderness as well as learning about the fascinating stories of Botswana’s wildlife from local guides. This is one of Southern Africa’s premier wildlife destinations and offers a relatively affordable, ‘soft landing’ for a first-time family safari.

Here are three reasons to take the family on safari to Chobe National Park:

Meet the locals

Elephants leave the Chobe River after enjoying a refreshing swim

Chobe National Park is a stronghold of one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species, the elephant. The park is the playground of approximately 120 000 elephants and it is almost certain that you will see large herds in Serondela frolicking in the cool waters of the Chobe River.

A lioness lies down to rest in Chobe Cational Park

Moving out from the Chobe Riverfront into the surrounding marshes and neighbouring dry woodlands, you will may find big predators like lion, wild dog and leopard. Some of the other mammals to keep an eye out for on your family safari are bushbuck, red lechwe, roan, sable as well as small predators like serval and wild cat.

A hippo shows off the species’ notorious grumpy and aggressive side

The Chobe and Linyanti rivers have impressive numbers of hippos that are partial to a grumpy temperament, even to the toothy crocodiles. Amazing birdlife, particularly aquatic species like the African darter and saddle-billed stork, can be spotted fishing and nesting along the riverfront.

Explore in different ways

A sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River

A river boat cruise will likely be one of the major highlights of your family’s safari in Chobe. As the Chobe River is a permanent water source in Botswana, water safaris are offered throughout the year from most riverside lodges and camps.

A safari by boat gives a different perspective of the Chobe River

From the water, you can really get up close to the animal and bird life that thrive around the river habitat, and they are generally not too concerned by the boats. Of course, a safari in Africa is epitomised by the traditional game drive, which takes you into different equally wildlife-rich areas of the park.

A safari by game drive vehicle in Chobe National Park

There are also exciting day trips to enjoy from Chobe National Park and its closest town, Kasane. You can take the younger kids to witness the natural might of Victoria Falls, while the teenagers can take an exhilarating dip in Devil’s Pool at Livingstone Island.

Stay in family-friendly accommodation

Aerial view of Chobe Safari Lodge overlooking the Chobe River

Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge are found in Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River, closely neighbouring the park. Both lodges have suites that comfortably accommodate families with children of all ages.

One of the children’s room at Chobe Safari Lodge

At Chobe Safari Lodge, you can book out a family room with separate children’s room consisting of bunk beds. You can feast on indigenous flavours of Africa as well as English and Continental as a la carte and buffet style meals.

The main lodge with swimming pool at Chobe Bush Lodge

Chobe Bush Lodge is conveniently located within eye distance of the Safari Lodge, which allows for easy movement between the two properties. There are four exclusive family rooms that are spacious for four people. Onsite facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.

Contact us for more information on our family-friendly accommodation in Chobe National Park.

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In the Press: Staying at Nata Lodge in Botswana

admin — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 09:37:48 +0000

South African digital nomad and traveller, Lauren of Wanderlust Movement, tells us why she loved staying at Nata Lodge on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in north-eastern Botswana.

What’s 4.6 metres tall and turn’s the sky a shade of bubblegum pink? Two hundred fifty thousand flamingos flying to Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to breed and feast on unsuspecting shrimp.

The best place to watch this natural phenomenon? Nata Lodge.

It’s a gorgeous rustic lodge that’s set on the edges of Nata Bird Sanctuary. A local community initiative that launched in 1993 to protect what’s possibly the largest gathering of flamingos in Africa.

If you’re planning a road trip through Botswana, here’s why the lodge deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Here’s what it’s like staying at Nata Lodge in Botswana!

How to Get to Nata Lodge

Nata Lodge is on the main tourist route to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. The quickest way to reach the lodge is to fly into Maun Airport from OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.

From there, you’ll need to hire a car to reach Nata. It’s an easy 3h 35 minutes away, and the tar road is in reasonably good condition.

If you’re driving from South Africa, the lodge is 10-hours from Johannesburg. If you want to avoid traffic, read my Botswana road trip itinerary to find a quieter border post that trucks can’t use.

When it comes to buying cheap flights to Botswana, use Skyscanner or TravelStart. Both sites often have airfare sales, and Skyscanner also has a powerful search tool that lets you filter airfare prices by cheapest month!

About the Property

Set on the edge of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nata Lodge is all about rustic, bush vibes that blend into the natural environment.

There is WiFi here, but the signal is weak.

If you’re a digital nomad like me, Nata is not the place to grind away. You’ll need to switch your laptop off and venture out into the wilderness.

Those pesky emails will have to wait until you return to towering skyscrapers and gridlocked traffic.

For me, the lodge’s standout feature is the pool. Come for a dip an hour after sunrise, and you’ll have the whole place to yourself!

Or if you’re not a fan of ice-cold refreshing water temperatures, visit the pool after a long day in the bush. There’s a bar where you can grab a local Botswanan beer and an on-site restaurant if you’re feeling a bit peckish.

The Luxury Chalets & Tented Camps

Nata Lodge has accommodation options for every kind of traveller. If you’re feeling like a baller, splash out on one of the luxury chalets.

Want something a little bit more affordable without skimping on too many creature comforts? Grab an en-suite Meru style glamping tent.

And if you’re on a mission to travel Botswana on a budget, bring a tent and set up your humble abode in the campsite area. You’ll have access to clean ablution blocks and most importantly, HOT showers.

For my one-night stay at Nata Lodge, I stayed in one of the luxury chalets.

Our room came with the following amenities:

En-suite bathroom with an outdoor shower
A gorgeous clawfoot bath that deserves an ostentatious bubble bath
Complimentary toiletries
Three single beds with mosquito nets
Private deck area

Not included: A baby bat that was extremely unhappy to have guests in his home 😂

Food & Drink

As a travelling vegan, Nata Lodge doesn’t have the best options. If you’re eating at the restaurant, you’re going to have to get a little creative with the a la carte menu to find something that you can eat.

There are vegetarian options, but most of the dishes use non-vegan ingredients like egg noodles or cheese.

The buffet breakfast is more vegan-friendly. You’ll find fruit salads, a variety of cereals, and freshly baked read. Other non-vegan items include yoghurt, flapjacks and scones.

There’s also an English breakfast if you’re in the mood for eggs and bacon. Vegans can skip the animal products and feast on the mushrooms, tomatoes and baked beans.

And if you like your coffee with milk, pack your own soya milk.

What to Do in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is the home of one of the largest salt flats in the world. It’s also the remains of Africa’s largest inland sea and is surrounded by the Kalahari Desert.

Nata Bird Sanctuary

Without a doubt, the best thing to do at Nata Lodge is the Nata Bird Sanctuary. In Botswana’s wet season, the salt pans flood and hundreds of migrating flamingos and pelicans return to breed.

The birds’ journey from as far as the Great Rift Valley to feast on millions of tiny shrimp that lie dormant in the salt crust until the rains.

It’s a bird watchers paradise!

But if you miss the birds (like we did 😭), not all hope is lost. In the dry, summer months you can go for 4×4 rides over the salt pan. Nata Lodge also offers a salt pan sundowner tour!

Annual Zebra Migration

Another famous migration that takes place in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is the annual zebra migration. From October, massive herds start to slowly move towards the Boteti River in anticipation of Botswana’s rainy season.

It’s the longest recorded large mammal migration in Africa!

Nata Village Tour

If you’re curious about Kgolta daily life, you can visit Nata Village. Please keep in mind that it’s not the type of tour where the locals will be singing and dancing.

It’s for travellers that want a more authentic experience. You’ll visit the local clinic, the school and the Nata River.

The village tour costs P170 per person or a single supplement of P85.

What I Think of Nata Lodge

For travellers that are after exceptional, unique wildlife experiences, Nata Lodge is where you’ll want to stay. It’s not every day that you can watch thousands of flamingos turn the sky pink or one of the largest wildlife migrations in Africa.

If you’re planning a Botswana safari, you won’t regret spending a night or two at Nata. Even if you miss the birds, the salt pans are magical, wet or dry!

Thank you to Nata Lodge and Under One Botswana Sky for inviting me to their property! As always, all opinions are my own.

Contact us to book YOUR safari in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans while staying at Nata Lodge.

The post In the Press: Staying at Nata Lodge in Botswana appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

World Animal Day: Celebrating Botswana’s Beasts and Birds

admin — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:10:43 +0000

From the footprints of a big cat and the joyful frolicking of elephants in cool water to the resounding call of the fish eagle above and the kori bustard’s comical walk on the ground below, we celebrate Botswana’s diverse wildlife this World Animal Day.

Poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking are having devastating effects on many of Africa’s wildlife species, with some populations left highly vulnerable to extinction and the health of ecosystems already experiencing the serious knock-on effects. An Africa without animals is an unimaginable reality and on a safari in any of Botswana’s wilderness areas, it is the beasts and birds that steal the show, no matter how big or small.

That is why, this World Animal Day, we take you on a photographic journey of some of Botswana’s incredibly beautiful and diverse wildlife that we are so honoured to experience every time we go exploring into the bush:

Flamingos strut across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where they come to breed and rear their chicks when the water levels are just right.

A leopard prowls amidst the dry and bare bushes of its territory in a wintery Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best places in Botswana to witness this exquisite feline.

A herd of buffalo stand alert in south eastern Okavango Delta, a stronghold of these powerful members of the famous Big 5.

A multi-generational elephant family quench their thirst at the shoreline of the Chobe River in Chobe National Park, home to an impressive 120 000 elephants.

Unable to fly away, an ostrich begins to pick up speed running across the flat and dry landscape near the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

A lone wildebeest kicks up dust as it crosses a particularly dry area of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans on its way to find good grazing grounds and reliable water.

Contact us for more information on Botswana’s different wilderness areas and which of our properties will best-suit the kind of wildlife safari experience you are dreaming of.

The post World Animal Day: Celebrating Botswana’s Beasts and Birds appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

In the Press: Why the Rainy Season Is Still the Perfect Time to Visit Botswana

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 10:17:16 +0000

In this December 2018 article in Culture Trip, South African-born travel writer and photographer, Melanie van Zyl, tells us why the rainy season is still the perfect time to visit Botswana.

An incredible place to visit at any time of year, Botswana tops the chart of Africa’s best safari destinations. Here’s why Botswana’s resplendent wilds are just as likely to impress during the rainy season.

Baby animals, vibrant birdlife, charismatic cats, scores of elephants, affordability and the magnificent rains are just a few reasons to visit during Botswana’s ‘Green Season’, often considered by many to be the worst time of the year to come.

One of the first things you’re likely to Google when travelling is ‘When is the best time to visit?’ For Botswana, some sites will recommend the dry, winter season between May and September, when temperatures are moderate and game viewing is said to be better than at other times of the year. However, experiencing Botswana in the ‘Green Season’ definitely has its perks.

The ‘Green Season’ is good value

Locally known as the ‘Green Season’, Botswana’s rainy, wet, summer season runs from December to March. The biggest advantage of travelling at this time is that visitor numbers dwindle, so you’re likely to enjoy a quieter, more personal stay at affordable rates as camps drop their prices by as much as 50 percent.

Discover Botswana’s beautiful beasts in the Okavango Delta

The November to February period is right in the middle of the heat and rain of midsummer. The Kalahari Desert is particularly stifling, but thankfully there’s a slosh of water, namely the Kavango River and its catchment area, cutting through this harsh environment and providing refuge for the wild world.

The Okavango Delta is a low-impact tourism destination and visiting requires off-road driving, boating or fly-ins using small aircraft. Thanks to this inaccessibility, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been dubbed ‘the Last Eden of Africa’.

Spot tsessebe (the fastest antelope in the world) or shy water-dwelling sitatunga and enjoy the reinvigoration of the natural world as young, ungainly antelope join the herds. Botswana is also a hotspot for one of the world’s most endangered mammals, the African wild dog.

Tip: When staying at a lodge, such as the new Kwando Splash Camp in the Eastern Okavango, professional guides will be well acquainted with the movements of local lion prides, cheetah coalitions and the fast-moving, hunting packs of African wild dogs (named by World Wildlife Fund as the second-most endangered carnivore in Africa). In fact, these sought-after predators have territories so close to this particular camp that you’re likely to see them while eating breakfast.

See the wild from the water in Chobe National Park

The wide, wild Chobe River marks Botswana’s border with Namibia and provides both sanctuary and water for the many creatures of Chobe National Park. Most notably, this area is home to the African continent’s greatest concentration of elephants, with overall herd numbers at an estimated 120,000. They’re best admired from the water.

Tip: Many lodges in the nearby town, Kasane, offer sundowner cruises, but Chobe Safari Lodge is the closest base to the park for ease of access. You can also book a private boat for the early morning, when rain and thunderstorms are less likely.

Fall in love with Botswana’s birds

During summer, migrant birds swoop south and congregate in high numbers at various hotspots across the country. Even non-birders will be reaching for their binoculars during this active avian season.

Although Botswana has no endemic bird species, it’s one of the easiest places in the world to find extraordinary feathered friends. The Okavango Delta, for example, is a stronghold for critically endangered wattled cranes. For many twitchers, the ultimate sighting is the Pel’s fishing owl, a rarity that feeds on fish and frogs. Colourful bee-eaters snatch insects swiftly from the air, striking African skimmers flock to the northern rivers scooping up water using their specially adapted bills and the African fish-eagle lets out its resonating, soulful call.

Tip: During the Green Season, die-hard birders cannot miss the wonder of Godikwe Lagoon in the heart of the Okavango Delta, where waterbirds find safety from predators on islands surrounded by deeply flooded lagoons. Different species nest side by side in a seasonal ceasefire and create enormous breeding sites called heronries. Godikwe Lagoon is only accessible via boat when staying in lodges near to the Moremi Game Reserve, such as Kwando Splash Camp.

Dance in the rain

There is a particular reverence for rain in Botswana, which is called pula in the local language of Setswana. Pula is also the name of Botswana’s currency, and the colour blue dominates the country’s flag, representing the life-giving forces of water.

When the heat builds up and clouds eventually rupture with rainstorms, bringing water back to this parched place, join in the joy and soak up the open sky. After all, Africa knows best, that ‘no rain, no gain’.

Tip: During a stay at Mma Dinare Lodge in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, you may be so lucky as to meet the delightful camp manager Mmapula Malela. ‘Mmapula’ means ‘mother of the rain’, and rain is all that anyone can talk about in the heights of summer’s stifling heat.

Feature image courtesy of Melanie van Zyl for Culture Trip.

Chat to us about how the green rainy season in Botswana can make for truly magical safari in Chobe National Park and/or the Okavango Delta.

The post In the Press: Why the Rainy Season Is Still the Perfect Time to Visit Botswana appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.