Nata Bird Sanctuary
Nata Bird Sanctuary
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
144 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
45
Average
33
Poor
11
Terrible
5
Mindy L
Columbus, OH191 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Our tour of the Nata Bird Sanctuary was arranged through Nata Lodge our guide was named Joy. He was such a good tracker and had lots of experience with birds. Unfortunately they did not get the rains as expected last year so the pans were dry which meant no water birds came when we were there. We did see the wildebeest, ostrich, jackals, rabbits, springbok, zebras and dozens of different birds. Joy was funny, he was an expert in finding and identifying birds and he even brought tea and biscuits for us too.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natashaw880
Cambridge, UK5 contributions
Nov 2022
This place may divide people, but we absolute loved it. They have done up the viewing hides so they are really very nice. Wildlife will depend on when you go, but in November we saw lots of wildebeest, jackals, and different birds. The horizon was pink with flamingoes and pelicans in the pan. I’m guessing some people might drive in and wonder what all the fuss is about as it’s a flat plain with some wildebeest , but if you take the time and give this community run place a chance it is really very special :)
Written 26 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cheriwphoto
New York136 contributions
Aug 2022
This time of year the birds are few and far between. We did get lovely shots of a mated pair of Ostrich. The rosy spoonbills were in action as well. We could see how great it would be here when it’s wet!
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob O
139 contributions
Aug 2022
Always a great visit, but this time (August 2022) the pans were full of water. We've seen a few pelicans and flamingos here before, but this year the pan had hundreds of pelicans and other birds. They were fishing in large "rafts" close to shore. We also had good sightings of Kori Bustard and antelopes.
Don't use the viewing platform, it is no longer safe. But it's not necessary.
Friendly staff at the reception. We used the toilets then drove out to the pans. The roads were dry and OK (Fortuner 4x4, but a normal car is OK when it is dry).
We had excellent lunch at nearby Nata Lodge, also great place to stay.
Don't use the viewing platform, it is no longer safe. But it's not necessary.
Friendly staff at the reception. We used the toilets then drove out to the pans. The roads were dry and OK (Fortuner 4x4, but a normal car is OK when it is dry).
We had excellent lunch at nearby Nata Lodge, also great place to stay.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jurgen B
Brussels, Belgium2,848 contributions
Jun 2021
We didn't saw a single bird! No, I am exagerating, there were about 12, including 3 pelicans, but not more than that. I'm sure it's completely different in the wet season, at least, I do hope so.
Written 14 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gr1970Gr
South Africa256 contributions
May 2021 • Family
The sign at the gate clearly says no picnics. I certainly have no issues with a picnic, but we were met at the viewing tower with about 50 people falling around with loud music and bottles of alcohol everywhere. It seems to be a good weekend spot for some of the people living in Nata for an excursion. I would not come over a weekend. It was unpleasant and considering the pans were full of water, it was the only place to get close to the pans. So we basically drove in, saw some Wildebeest on the way in, no birds and a hoard of drunk people hogging the only viewing site.
At the gate the lady did say that there were many Motswana inside, but we should try and find a spot for ourselves. I didn’t know what she meant by the comment until we reached the pans. My family were very disappointed in the experience and from arriving at the gate and leaving it was less than an hour. A waste of time and money on this occasion.
At the gate the lady did say that there were many Motswana inside, but we should try and find a spot for ourselves. I didn’t know what she meant by the comment until we reached the pans. My family were very disappointed in the experience and from arriving at the gate and leaving it was less than an hour. A waste of time and money on this occasion.
Written 10 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren S
Durban, South Africa77 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Took an afternoon self drive with my parents and some friends. Made it to the watch tower very easily and enjoyed a lunch there whilst overlooking the salt pans. They are currently full of water so you cannot go onto them. Saw some pelicans but flamingos are not yet there due to water being too high. Also saw some wildebeest. Lovely day trip and well worth the visit if you’ve never been before. If you don’t want to drive there yourself or do not feel your vehicle will make the dirt road you can book a trip with Nata Lodge and you can go in one of their vehicles
Written 19 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrscindytravels
Palmar76 contributions
Feb 2021
Highly recommended. BUT if there's water (like NOW) only a 4x4. Eish - had some scary moments but it was a most amazing day! Enjoy the photos and little video. Just a small "puddle" - YES ONE OF THE SMALLER ONES - and made a few ostridge and wildebeest mad :) (no animals were hurt!)
Written 18 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haelen
Voorburg, The Netherlands407 contributions
Feb 2020
We visited mid February and there were very few birds. The lake was still dry, but the road was full of water pools. It was impossible to pass with a normal car and our Landcruiser could just make it. We could easily be stuck in one of the many deep water pools in the road. It was impressive to see the salt lake, but we only saw a few birds and no flamingos or pelicans. The ranger informed us in advance that there were few birds and the road was next to impassable.
Written 23 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Klaus G
Pretoria, South Africa1,074 contributions
Feb 2020
Although the entrance fee is quite stiff, if you look at the park with interested eyes, there is a lot to see and take in. Whilst the animals are limited to gnus, zebras, springbuck, and ostriches, seeing an ostrich nest up close is a bonus. Also the greater flamingo and pelicans were in attendance at the pans apart from other birds like the corry buzzard. Of course the pans and their history and the glorious sunsets round of a well worthwhile day.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there flamingos in the sanctuary at the moment?
Rob O
139 contributions
I'm now in the UK so can't say. Flamingos travel around a lot, so are unpredictable. I'vecseen them nesting near Sowa towns, but that was on a trip with a researcher.
Curiosity56800309025
1 contribution
What time of the year to visit Nata Bird Sanctuary to see Flamingos and Pelicans?
Katanga2
London, UK116 contributions
I was there in May and the water levels were quite high and lots of pelicans although no flamingos.
aves123
Cape Town, South Africa38 contributions
Entrance fees?
Arun Prasanna G
Gaborone, Botswana165 contributions
I think it was around 15$ or 5$ couldnt recollect. But not more than 15$
othataetsile
Gaborone, Botswana
Are camping sites available there and how do i get there using public transport?
Jenny i
Katima Mulilo, Namibia616 contributions
There is Nata Lodge nearby and they have camping
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