Welcome To Dinaka, Botswana!
And yes, welcome to Dinaka International Airport! That’s the terminal right behind us – the only structure at the airport, because this dirt runway is in the heart of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert!
We stayed at the incredible Ker & Downey Lodge, which evokes safari life of a bygone era – with modern amenities!
See the blue water in the pond to the upper right of the photo? That watering hole gave us a lot to watch – and I’m about to show you!
Every day was an amazing adventure, even though this desert is a harsh environment for animals: there is very little water, so animals that can survive on less of it – and can forage through this rough terrain as well do the best here…like this amazing animal!
Meet An Oryx!
This was a terrific sighting, as they tend to avoid the Jeeps!
An Oryx is a genus of four large antelope species native to the arid regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Known for their striking appearances and extreme desert adaptations, they are characterized by long, slender horns (which can be over 4 feet long), pale coats, and contrasting dark facial markings.
What a beautiful animal! We saw so many incredible sightings here at Dinaka!
An exclusive private conservancy against the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Dinaka is host to one of the most unique bio-diversities in Southern Africa and well known for it’s high density of desert wildlife sightings. This ever-changing desert landscape gives refuge to the Kalahari lion, springbok, Oryx and brown hyena. The camp itself was acquired in 2017 and provides the perfect start or finish to any discerning traveller on safari.
Oh, and they also have a lot of “flocking behavior!”
Flocking Behavior!
Yes, Dinaka is home to large flocks of “thirsty birds”, such as massive numbers of quelea finches descending to drink at the pond just outside the lodge!
Here they are again, literally drinking the entire pond in front of our eyes!
These Quelea finches are small, sparrow-like weaver birds native to Africa – and are famous for being the world’s most abundant wild bird species, numbering in the billions!
We could see them in overwhelming numbers in the trees, before forming massive, smoke-like flocks that can devastate grain crops, earning them the nickname “feathered locusts!”
Here they are taking over Dinaka’s pond!
This pond is for all animals in the area, and we saw a number of Zebra who were annoyed by the, but there was nothing they could do – we literally watched this flock drink half of the pond in just minutes! Then, they stepped in for the chance to drink.
Those patient Zebras were rewarded finally, and they took it over for themselves – well, except for a very itchy Wildebeast!
Don’t Leave The Porch!
Oh by the way, I need to add that we were not allowed off the ledge outdoor terrace – or the walkways to the rooms, in fact, anywhere close to the watering hole – as local Lions enjoy it as well!
This was just one of our magical adventures in the Kalahari, like when we got a walking tour from real Botswana Bushmen, and they taught me how to drink water from a root!
That was just one survival technique we were taught – see more of our terrific and informative tour here!
This was such a fascinating trip for us, like the time a Baboon taunted a pack of Lions – here he is using a palm tree as a getaway:
You can see more videos in the link above.
And if that got you amped up, perhaps you need to relax this way:
The serenity of a Mokoro canoe trip through the Okavango Delta is incredible..see more of that adventure here:
I already shared a story about how they greeted us at Singita Boulders in South Africa on our first night:
You can click here for a look at the festive food welcome we got when we arrived…see it here!
And most importantly: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe are all working hard to fight animal poaching – allowing the animals to roam free like this:
You can see more on how they work to use our tourism dollars to save these wild animals and their way of life!
I also shared some of the highlights of the trip, including video of a very noisy Lion who went very close to me as he was griping about something…you can see that video and more here:
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Categories: Africa, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, nature, safari, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
These flocks are something else !
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Yes, and I added a line in the story to point out we were NOT allowed anywhere near the watering hole – because local Lions used it too!
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That waterhole/lake is such a great spot. To see that many birds and other diverse animals in one place was a real treat. Shared on Twitter, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete it was right in front of us! Of course, I should have noted you can’t leave the lodge to get closer to it – Lions like to drink from it too!
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As usual fascinating photos……those birds remind me of the starlings around here….they are massive formations…..thanx for sharing your amazing adventure. chuq
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Thanks for the note!
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I am very weary of baboons, they are very vicious. In SA, oryx is called gemsbok. Great post 👌
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John! enjoyed this post so much – and in Arkansas we sometimes see bird flocks – but your vidos of flocking behavior were outstanding – and important to have to share like this.
Also, interesting the root water had depth. I have seen folks drink root water, think I saw it also on an episode of Alone, but I liked your video with the response of what it tasted like.
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I love being an armchair traveller and following your blogs. However, I wouldn’t want to go there myself!
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Steve, it was the greatest adventure we’ve ever taken, but boy is it remote! And it takes a bit to get used to sitting in an open air jeep with no roof as a Lion wanders by you ten feet away…and these birds were like locusts too, but the Zebra were great to see up close…thanks so much for your comment!
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I see it all in the comfort of my office, lol.
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