Near Nata, the Nata River delta feeds Sua Pan in Nata Bird Sanctuary. In Nata itself, a cultural village tour led by a local resident complements the landscape experiences with insights into a kgotla and a traditional homestead. This offers a choice of different themes: birdlife by the river delta, or cultural sites and architecture.
River Delta and Birdlife near Nata
The Nata River delta feeds Sua Pan in Nata Bird Sanctuary and forms a breeding ground for numerous waterbirds. These include pelicans and, when conditions are favorable, thousands of flamingos seasonally. The Botswana government has designated Nata Sanctuary as a flamingo sanctuary. It is home to approximately 165 bird species; this approximate number may change over time.
When planning, the key consideration for flamingos is the condition that affects them: their large seasonal gatherings depend on favorable conditions. The sanctuary’s birdlife also includes pelicans and numerous other species. This means a visit need not be limited to spotting a particular bird.
Drives and Canoe Trip
Nata Lodge offers daily three-hour sunset drives in open 4x4 vehicles to support the community-run Nata Bird Sanctuary. From Eselbe Camp, you can explore the Nata River by canoe, independently or with a guide. When water levels are high enough after the rainy season, the trip reaches Nata Bird Sanctuary.
The two options differ in how you travel; for the canoe trip, the route to the sanctuary also depends on water levels. Check the availability of the trips before your journey. Reaching the sanctuary also requires sufficient water after the rainy season.
Cultural Village Tour in Nata
The cultural village tour, led by a local resident, includes a visit to a kgotla, a traditional meeting place regarded as a place of respect. It also includes a visit to a traditional homestead, where circular huts and their architecture are presented. The tour therefore combines an insight into a meeting place with an exploration of traditional homes.
If you are interested in these cultural topics as well as birdlife, the tour offers a concrete counterpoint to activities on the river and in the sanctuary. Check the tour’s current availability before your journey.
Central District: Tswapong Hills and Moremi Gorge
The Tswapong Hills Cultural Landscape in the wider Central District encompasses a mountain range approximately 70 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide, rising around 400 meters above its surroundings. Deep gorges have formed in the Tswapong Hills. There are seasonal rivers fed by natural springs, as well as streams that form waterfalls with deep, moss-lined pools.
Moremi Gorge in the Tswapong Hills can be reached on foot via a steep ascent and is the source of three permanent waterfalls. The first two form large waterholes. The uppermost waterfall is ten meters high and plunges over rock ledges into a densely vegetated lagoon. Thus, the waterfalls described differ both in their location within the gorge and in the landscapes into which they flow.
Moremi Gorge has great religious and spiritual significance for the local community and was declared a National Monument by the Department of National Museums and Monuments. Visitors are advised, as a courtesy, to ask the local Headman for permission before entering the Tswapong Hills. Check locally before entering the hills.
Discover more destinations: Mahalapye, Lentswelemoriti, Mathathane, Palapye, Letlhakane, Selibe-Phikwe
Return to the regional travel overview: Central District.
