Elephants Sands in Nata
The Elephant Sands bush lodge and campground, nestled in the northeastern corner of Botswana, offers a unique opportunity to witness the majestic elephants up close. Positioned near a natural waterhole, guests can observe these magnificent creatures enjoying their drinks just meters away from the resort. It’s an unforgettable experience to connect with nature and witness the beauty of wildlife in its natural habitat. Come and spend some time with us at Elephant Sands for an extraordinary encounter with elephants.
Located on a private conservation area spanning 16,000 acres, our lodge offers an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat. With no fences, animals roam freely across the expansive landscape, providing guests with a truly authentic safari experience. Our strategic location allows easy access to Botswana’s renowned attractions, including the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Okavango Delta, and Chobe National Park. Additionally, the majestic Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park are within close proximity, offering opportunities for unforgettable adventures right at our doorstep. Join us for an unparalleled safari experience surrounded by the beauty of Botswana’s wilderness.
Facilities
Elephant Sands lodge serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the fascinating attractions nearby. Guests can choose to stay in one of our chalets featuring attached bathrooms or opt for a tented accommodation to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the African bush.
Our lodge offers various accommodation options including brand-new safari tents with private bathrooms and views of the waterhole. We also provide chalets, safari tents on stilts, family safari tents, self-catering chalets, and family chalets to cater to diverse preferences.
As our campgrounds in Nata and the resort are unfenced, encounters with wildlife are possible. Guests are advised to carry reliable flashlights or headlamps when moving around, especially at night, to ensure safety and to be prepared for unexpected wildlife sightings.
The Namibian elephant population
The northern region of Namibia harbors a significant elephant population, primarily concentrated in several key areas including Etosha National Park (NP), Mangetti National Park, northern Kavango, Khaudum National Park/Nyae Nyae Conservancy, and the Zambezi Region. These locations serve as vital habitats for elephants in Namibia.
The distribution of elephants in these areas is influenced by the availability of water and seasonal variations. Additionally, there are elephant migrations between Namibia and neighboring countries, particularly Botswana, with many elephants moving from the Zambezi Region.
Among these regions, Khaudum/Nyae Nyae and the Zambezi Region in the northeast of Namibia boast the highest elephant populations in the country. This underscores the importance of these areas for elephant conservation and management efforts in Namibia.
Populations
The elephant populations in the severely dry northwest and Etosha National Park have shown remarkable recovery from past overhunting, with population densities now stabilizing. In the northwest, the population growth is estimated to vary by 3.86% annually, which does not meet statistical significance criteria.
However, since 1998, the number of elephants in Etosha National Park has been steadily expanding at an annual rate of 1.75%, a pattern that meets statistical significance criteria.
In the Zambezi Region, elephant populations have been steadily increasing since 1995, with an estimated yearly growth rate of 4.76%, reaching high levels of statistical significance.
Similarly, elephant populations in Khaudum National Park and the Nyae Nyae Conservancy have been growing at a rate exceeding 4.8% annually since 1995, demonstrating significant growth trends.
Overall, the elephant population in Namibia has been steadily increasing at an annual rate of 5.36% since 1995, a statistically significant growth pattern indicative of successful conservation efforts.
Elephant gaze at Nata
Elephant Sands reserve offers a unique and unforgettable experience for elephant lovers. The reserve features a vast open space with a central waterhole frequented by up to 50 wild elephants. Visitors can enjoy amenities such as a bar, restaurant, pool, camping area, and permanent tents, all surrounded by the presence of majestic elephants.
The permanent tents, although spacious and pleasant, are basic in amenities and lack refrigeration and self-catering equipment. However, visitors can still make use of gas burners and braais for cooking.
The reserve also offers superb game drives in the open bush near the Zimbabwe border, providing opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffalo herds, giraffes, and other wildlife. Even for travelers not heading to or from Kasane or Victoria Falls, Elephant Sands is worth a visit as an interesting destination in its own right.
Encountering a large number of elephants while traveling from Nata to Victoria Falls was a truly unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of the journey through Namibia. Elephant Sands, with its proximity to wild elephants and unique atmosphere, stands out as a memorable destination in the region.
Conclusion
Indeed, the road trip through Nata was filled with unforgettable moments, and witnessing the wildlife of Namibia up close, especially the majestic elephants, was truly the highlight of the tour. Elephants are captivating creatures, and encountering a herd in their natural habitat is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Be sure to capture these precious memories on your devices whenever you have the opportunity to visit this remarkable land again.
FAQs
1. What is the cost of staying in Elephant Sands?
A: You may either pay around 900 Pula per night to stay in one of the stilted tents or chalets that overlook the watering hole, or you can camp in your own tent and use the common amenities for approximately 290 Pula.
2. How can we get there conveniently?
A: Because Elephant Sands is located around 50 kilometers away from Nata, Botswana, driving is your best bet for getting there. Francistown, which is located 180 kilometers away from Nata, or Maun are the closest airports (300km from Nata).
3. Are there pools available?
A: Yes, there are.
4. What time is ideal to start the trip?
A: The ideal time to start the trip is with the sunrise at 5:30am.
5. How many elephants do Namibia has?
A: The authorities claim that they have currently more than 2400 elephants.
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