The vast salt pans and grassy plains of Makgadikgadi creates a unique oasis and the perfect setting for Nata Lodge
LOCATION: Nata Lodge lies on the edge of the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, perfectly positioned between the Okavango Delta, Chobe, and the Makgadikgadi region. The lodge also borders Zimbabwe to the East, making it one of it’s one of Botswana’s best-placed stopovers towards Victoria Falls and Namibia's Caprivi Strip. The surrounding plains, palms, and pans create a striking wilderness setting that’s rich in birdlife and ideal for exploring this unique part of northern Botswana.
ROOMS: Accommodation at Nata Lodge includes 22 air-conditioned wooden chalets built on stilts, each with an en-suite bathroom, ball-and-claw bath, and outdoor shower. There are also 10 safari-style tents offering a more adventurous yet comfortable stay, complete with en-suite bathrooms and shaded verandas. Family-friendly rooms and mosquito coverings make it easy for everyone to feel at home.
AMENITIES: Set beneath a canopy of mokowane palms, Nata Lodge offers a warm, relaxed atmosphere. There’s a palm-shaded swimming pool, an open-air restaurant serving generous meals, and a lively bar for sundowners. The safari shop stocks local crafts and travel essentials, while Wi-Fi keeps guests connected. Dining can be done indoors, or under the vast African sky in the spectacular outdoor restaurant. The gardens and terrace areas are teeming with birds, not to mention the designated bird-feeding area, making even downtime an opportunity for wildlife viewing.
ACTIVITIES: Nata Lodge offers a variety of experiences to explore the Makgadikgadi region. A fleet of 4x4 game vehicles are available for Makgadikhadi Pan wildlife drives, which any guest can take advantage of. Alternatively, you can visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary on a guided drive to see flamingos, pelicans, and zebra against the shimmering pans. Join a local village tour for an insight into community life, or enjoy a sunrise breakfast beneath the baobabs. For birdwatchers, the lodge grounds are a delight, while those looking to unwind can spend their day by the pool or on a gentle canoe along the Nata River when it floods.
SUSTAINABILITY: Nata Lodge plays an active role in supporting the community-run Nata Bird Sanctuary, Botswana’s first community-based conservation project. Established in 1988, it is managed by four local villages, with funds from tourism used to protect wildlife and invest in local development. The lodge’s commitment to responsible tourism ensures this remarkable environment continues to thrive for future generations
Best places to stay in Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Trip Inspiration
When to go to Botswana
Find out the best time to visit Botswana with our month-by-month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is the heart of the wet season, with heavy downpours usually in the late afternoons, which is a great excuse to watch the storm from the luxury of your camp or lodge. Much of the wildlife is still there it may just take a little longer to find as its more dispersed due to the surrounding surface water. This time of year is hot, and aside from the rainshowers it's sunny. This is the best time to see the Zebra and Wildebeest migration as well as large flocks of flamingos down in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Rates are lower during the wet season.
January
January is the heart of the wet season, with heavy downpours usually in the late afternoons, which is a great excuse to watch the storm from the luxury of your camp or lodge. Much of the wildlife is still there it may just take a little longer to find as its more dispersed due to the surrounding surface water. This time of year is hot, and aside from the rainshowers it's sunny. This is the best time to see the Zebra and Wildebeest migration as well as large flocks of flamingos down in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Rates are lower during the wet season.
February
February is also one of the warmer months, and is defined by both sunshine and heavy storms, which making it another great time for photography. It's now that the Central Kalahari begins waking up, with herds of game coming to graze the lush grassland. Again the peak migration should be in the Makgadikgadi now with large herds of wildebeest and zebra in the area. Game viewing is still great in many areas of the Okavango Delta with many of the dried camps on the western side top choice.
March
The wet season slowly comes to an end, leaving hot, drier days. There is still some rain, but only for short periods during the afternoon. Enjoy the green scenery and the lower accommodation rates. Towards the end of March the wildlife in the Central Kalahari really begins to pick up as large numbers of plains game head in the pans and Valleys. This is a great time of year to combine the Central Kalahari and Okavango Delta.
April
April is a fine month to visit Botswana, as the nights become cooler and sleeping is easier. Breeding season is underway for plains game, so keep an eye out for the clashing males attempting to woo the females out on the savannahs. Along with the breeding season comes more predator activity as the young animals are easy pickings. This is peak game viewing time in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve making it an integral part of any itinerary.
May
With the rainy season at an end, the temperature falls, making bush excursions more pleasant. Nights can be a little chilly, so you'll probably need an extra layer if you're heading out on an evening game drive. Skies become clearer and there are fewer mosquitoes. This is one of our favourite months to travel and also marks the final month before the peak season rates kick in in most camps.
June
June is the middle of winter in Botswana, and is one of the best times to visit the country. Days are pleasantly warm, and nights are spent tucked up cosily in your camp or lodge. Wildlife becomes concentrated around waterholes making it easier to spot. This is a great time to visit the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe.
July
With warm sunny days, and cool nights, July is the perfect time to be in Botswana. Although this is the dry season, it's a great time to enjoy a traditional mokoro canoe trip as floodwaters begin to rise in the Okavango Delta, flowing down from the highlands of Angola.
August
The temperature begins to rise again in August, but it's still a superb time for game viewing, and the Makgadikgadi Pans are now accessible through until October. Water is now scarce in many of the parks, making game viewing easy. It's a good time to visit Savute and Linyanti.
September
Days in September are hot with sunny blue skies, and the nights are no longer cold. It does get quite dusty out in the bush thanks to many months without rain, and game viewing is excellent as predators and prey alike hunt to find water.
October
October is warmer, and safari activities take place during early mornings and late afternoons to avoid the worst of the heat. This is one of the final month before the rains come and the ground is at its driest making for exceptional game viewing. If you don’t mind hot days this is one of the peak game viewing months
November
November remains hot, but the rains return mid-month, bringing the plains and forests back to life. If you want to see young animals being born and lots of predator action, this is the month to come. With rates dropping in November and the rains often falling later on in the month, the first 2 weeks of November are a very popular time to travel. It also ties in nicely with the great weather in Cape Town and the Garden Route.
December
The rainy season is now in full swing with often short heavy downpours in the evening, days are still mostly sunny. Landscapes are lush, and there is plenty of wildlife activity as the newborns flourish.
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