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Three-banded courser South Luangwa by Mike Unwin

Botswana: Pandamatenga to Lesoma Valley

The Lesoma Valley extends south of Kazangula along Botswana’s border with Zimbabwe. This area offers excellent birding, with its mosaic of broad-leafed woodland and undisturbed forests of teak and mopane supporting a wide variety of species. As the area lies outside Chobe National Park, birders are free to explore on foot, though caution is advisable as elephants and other dangerous wildlife are abundant here, moving between Matetsi Safari Area on the Zimbabwe side and Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Between Kazungula and the settlement of Lesoma, patches of acacia woodland are home to species such as Cape Penduline Tit, Marico Flycatcher and Crimson-breasted Shrike. while Racket-tailed Roller, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah and Orange-winged Pytilia all occur in the miombo woodland. At night, Three-banded Courser and – in summer – Pennant-winged Nightjar perch conveniently on the sandy firebreak tracks.

Mike Unwin Secretary Bird
Mike Unwin Kori Bustard

The border road continues to the village of Pandamatenga, at the heart of an agricultural project some 100km south of Kasane. The arid savannah in this area holds Kalahari species such as Kalahari Scrub Robin, Violet-eared Waxbill and Fawn-coloured Lark, while birds of the mopane woodland include the regional endemic Bradfield’s Hornbill. Waterbirds flock to the seasonal pans during the rains, when migratory raptors including Steppe Eagle and Red-footed Falcon also arrive to feast on the termite emergences.

Due west of this region lie Nogatsaa and Tchinga Pans, deep in the interior of Chobe National Park. A huge variety of species frequent this remote area, including such safari ‘classics’ as Kori Bustard, Secretary Birdand Southern Ground Hornbill, while numerous water birds visit the natural clay pans and the mopane woodland is alive with smaller birds.

The Lesoma Valley/Pandamatenga region is easily accessed via the Nata–Kasane road – ideal for visitors traveling to or from Chobe National Park or crossing into Zimbabwe. A handful of camps and lodges serve the region, offering local explorations and excursions into Chobe National Park. Nogatsaa Pan has a single lodge, reached by air – or a long drive from Kasane.