KUBU ISLAND & MAKGADIGADI PANS, Botswana

KUBU ISLAND – LOST ISLAND OF THE BAOBABS

Kubu Island is surrounded by the unlimited white expanse of salt of the Sua Pan.

On sunny days the blue sky seems infinite and the pan is of almost blinding white, while, when the sun sets over the pan, the warm light illuminates the island and its majestic baobabs.

At night, when the moon shines in the sky, the white of the expanse of salt reflects so much light that there are shadows creating a surreal atmosphere.

On Kubu Island there are several baobab that are estimated to be 3,000 or 4,000 years old.

They are impressive not only for their size but also because they seem to have so much to tell about the history of this island. They guard the secrets of this magnificent paradise.

Please note that there is no phone signal or internet connection at the Lost Island of the Baobabs and with no electricity either, it’s advisable to bring a fully-charged set of spare camera batteries with you.

The ability to disconnect from the rest of the world adds to the uniqueness of this place as you become one with nature.

MAKGADIGADI PANS

The Makgadigadi Pan is a large salt pan in northern Botswana, the largest salt flat complex on the planet.

These salt pans cover approximately 16,000 km2 and form the bed of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi that began evaporating millennia ago.

This huge territory, that contains several salt depressions, in prehistoric times was the basin of an immense lake, that is estimated to have covered an area of 80,000 square kilometres.

NATA BIRD SANCTUARY

Nata Bird Sanctuary is located in the North-Eastern part of the Sua Pan.

During the rainy season, when the Nata river pours its waters into the pan, it becomes a paradise for birds, especially for the aquatic ones.

In particularly rainy years, tens, if not hundreds of thousands of flamingos gather here to mate, to nest and grow their chicks. This is one of the most important places in the world for the survival of the lesser pink flamingos and the greater pink flamingos.

We currently have no dates scheduled for this destination.

DAY 1 : KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY – SEROWE

05:00	Departing from the Total Garage on the N1 after Pretoria. Crossing the border via Stockpoort border crossing. Refuel at Mahalapye 80km across the border in Botswana
15:00	Arrive mid-afternoon in time for a game drive.
17:30	Arrive back at camp for a warm shower.
19:00	Bush Braai at camp fire. Bring your own meat and side dishes and enjoy a nice braai.

DAY 2 : KUBU ISLAND

05:00	Early morning Coffee & Tea. Departing for Kubu Island.
14:00	Early afternoon arrival at Kubu Island. Time to sep up camp and organise camp site.
16:00	Exploring the island and capturing those amazing sunset images of Kubu.
18:30	Back at the camp. Preparing for an Africa Island Braai. Bring your own meat and side dishes for a lovely time.

DAY 3 : KUBU ISLAND – WHOLE DAY OF PHOTOGRAPHY

05:00	Early morning Coffee & Tea and get a briefing about the Island. Photographers will go their separate ways enjoying all the fantastic photographic opportunities.
13:00	Meet back at the campsite for a light lunch and photographic briefing.
14:00	Exploring the island and capturing those amazing sunset images of Kubu Island.
18:30	Back at the camp. Preparing for an Africa Island Braai. Bring your own meat and side dishes for a lovely time.

DAY 4 : ELEPHANT SANDS VIA MAKGADIGADI PANS

05:00	Wake Up Time. Early morning Coffee & Tea and briefing about the conditions of the drive for the day. This is an excellent drive through the pans – we will stop along the way for photographic opportunities.
06:00	Departing for Elephant Sands.
11:00	Arriving at Elephant Sands. Set up camp or book into Lodge.
14:00	All photographers meet at the lodge’s outside restaurant. Spend time at the waterhole where the elephants will entertain us.
19:00	Dinner at Elephant Sands Restaurant.

DAY 5 : ELEPHANT SANDS LODGE

05:00	Early morning Coffee & Tea.
06:00	Your choice of activities for the day; Spend the day at the lodge waterhole and relax Go for a Game Drive Take a Bush Walk.
12:00	Photographic Information session.
16:00	Back at the waterhole for sundowners and photograph the elephants drinking water.
19:00	Bush Braai – Bring your own meat and side dishes for a lovely time.

DAY 6 : NATA LODGE

The lodge is situated on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans – the largest salt pans in the world and the remains of Africa’s largest inland sea.

05:00	Departing from Elephant Sands to Nata Lodge.
10:00	Arriving at Nata Lodge.
12:00	Lunch Time and set up you camp or book in to the lodge.
14:00	Sua Pan This is the breeding ground for huge numbers of water birds such as flamingos and pelicans.Nata Bird Sanctuary Bird species that can be seen here are: the Grebe, the Cormorant, various Ducks, the Plovers, the Pelicans, pink-backed Pelican, the great white Pelican, the Avocet, the Black Winged Stilt, the Blacksmith Lapwing, the African Fish Eagle, the Pied Kingfisher, the Black-chested Snake-Eagle, the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, the Martial Eagle, the Secretary bird and the African spoonbill just to name a few.
17:00	Back to the Lodge preparing for the following day’s drive back home.
19:00	Dinner at the lodge restaurant. Time for feedback and a photographic information session.