The Nata Bird Sanctuary is a community project managed by a board of trustees
selected from four nearby local villages, and covers an area of 230 sq km.. The
sanctuary was designed to serve as a refuge for the wildlife on and around the
Sowa Pan, with a strong emphasis on the local birdlife, and almost half of the
reserve lies situated in the pan.
The sanctuary provides visitors with some of the best views of the pans, made
possible by an elevated wooden hide. The region is home to a wide variety of
winged species, and also serves as an important breeding ground for both
pelicans and flamingos. A total of 165 species of birds have been recorded in
the area. The most commonly sighted species include flamingos, pelicans,
ducks, geese, ostriches, kingfisher eagles, and spoon bills.
A variety of mammals also inhabit the region, and these species include
various antelope such as hartebeest, kudu, reedbuck, springbok and steenbok, as
well as a number of smaller mammals which include springhares, jackals, foxes,
monkeys and squirrels. Eland, gemsbok and zebra are being re-introduced into the
region, and current plans for future developments include the placement of a
permanent water hole, which will be filled with pumped water from the Nata
riverbed.
There is a campsite with braai sites located near the entrance to the park, with
hot showers and flush toilets. A main feature of the camp is a massive baobab
tree which collapsed in 1992. The enormous tree survived the fall, and has
continued growing horizontally, with new shoots sprouting along the length of
its trunk. The roads that provide access into the Nata Bird Sanctuary are
well-maintained, though in certain areas four-wheel-drive vehicles are
recommended, especially during the wet season when the clay-like soil of the
region can become treacherous.
For keen bird watchers and naturalists, Nata Lodge offers open vehicle, three hour excursions into the Nata Sanctuary. Mammal species in the sanctuary include antelope such as kudu and springbok, as well as springhares, jackals, foxes, monkeys... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.