Eselbe Camp & Backpackers

As well as pottering about on the Nata River by the camp, you can as the site owners to organise canoeing trips (lifejackets provided) into the Nata Bird Sanctuary (half an hour’s drive), believed to be one of the most important breeding sites for the lesser and greater flamingos. If you’re staying over in the wet season, you can also expect to see migratory birds such as ducks, cranes, geese and great white pelicans from the viewing platforms. After it rains, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park becomes an important habitat for migrating animals including wildebeest and one of Africa’s biggest zebra populations – as well as the large predators that prey on them. Safaris can be arranged from the campsite; book a late-afternoon trip to see a vivid and spectacular sunset. Visit neighbouring Nxai Pan National Park (both 90 minutes) to see its stand of ancient baobab trees, and the chance to spot elephant herds as well as cheetahs, lions, zebras and giraffes.