Botswana and Zambia

Nata Lodge

If there is one place bird-watchers must definitely visit, it is the Nata Lodge close to the well-known Nata Sanctuary in Botswana. Nata Lodge is right on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans – the largest salt pans in the world and the remains of Africa’s largest inland sea. The Lodge is located among Mokolwane palms on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The Nata River forms a delta which feeds Sanctuary’s Sua Pan. This is the breeding ground for huge numbers of water birds such as flamingos and pelicans. Nata Lodge offers luxury accommodation, excellent location for game drives, bird / animal viewing and a sense of being enveloped in the serenity of the African wilderness.

The lodge is surrounded by a canopy of shade trees and the bird feeding and water feature area creates opportunity for bird watchers to enjoy watching a multitude of various birds. The birds can be viewed from either the pool deck or from the bar and restaurant area. Among the different species to be seen are Yellow Hornbill, Glossy Starling and the Helmeted Guinea fowl. After sunset, it is time for nocturnal visitors to grace the guests with their presence, and the bush babies are not shy to come and see what the menu offer in terms of food for them.

Nata Lodge and the nearby Nata Sanctuary are a haven and breeding ground for water birds such as flamingo and pelicans. Watching the flamingos dance like ballerinas with their pink feathers gracefully sprayed, is a sight not to be missed. Excursions are available to Nata Sanctuary and it is a water paradise for birds, but also host species such as antelope, springbuck, foxes and monkeys. Some of the other birds to view include eagles, kingfishers, spoonbills and even ostriches. For the more adventurous there is quad biking around the lodge's grassland and plain areas.