Nata Bird Sanctuary

Botswana’s first community-based conservation project is managed and staffed by residents of four local communities and is a good example of an ecologically responsible project bringing direct financial benefit to local communities. Proceeds from tourism activities in the sanctuary are shared by the four communities for development projects. Covering an area of 250 km2 comprising grasslands and pans, the sanctuary offers easy access to the pans for self-drivers and pleasant camping facilities. In the peak season, birding, and even game viewing, can be good. When there is water in the pans, thousands of flamingos, pelicans, ducks and geese congregate, and the scene is awe-inspiring. An elevated hide provides an unbeatable panorama of the pans. About 3,000 head of cattle belonging to the Nata, Maphosa, Sepako and Manxotae communities were voluntarily moved out of the area for the establishment of the sanctuary. Nata Bird Sanctuary opened its gates to the public in 1993 and in the same year was awarded the Tourism for Tomorrow Award for the southern hemisphere.