Region
Makgadikgadi Pans
Desert-adapted wildlife roam the chalk-white landscape of the world's largest salt pan
In Botswana’s northeast, Makgadikgadi National Park covers part of an ancient dried lake that is now the Makgadikgadi Pan, the world’s largest salt pan covering an area of over 30.000 km2. A place of surprising biodiversity, this park is home to one of Africa’s largest herds of migrating zebras, and the predators that hunt them. It is also a haven for rare species like the brown hyena and the desert-adapted oryx. Stark and beautiful, the area is dotted with grassland and acacia trees, with the occasional sturdy Baobab growing on the pan’s edges. A visit here is not complete without experiencing fascinating sites like the mysterious Kubu Island or the community-managed Nata Bird Sanctuary.
Highlights
1
Go birdwatching to spot migratory birds, including great flocks of flamingos in the shallows.
2
Join a bushmen nature walk and learn how they adapted to the harsh environment.
3
Ride into the great openness of the extraordinary salt pan landscape on horseback.
4
Look for bat-eared foxes and the elusive black-maned Kalahari lion on a night drive.
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Best time to go to Makgadikgadi Pans
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The Makgadikgadi Pans has something exceptional to offer all year round. During the dry season, from April to October, animals congregate around water sources, providing the opportunity for terrific wildlife viewing. The start of the rainy season, which extends from November to March, is when the magnificent zebra migration takes place. Although the road conditions become difficult to deal with, the pans retain water up until around April or May and allow for fantastic birding experiences.
Featured Makgadikgadi Pans stays
Camp Kalahari
A private wildlife reserve stay offering the best of the Makgadikgadi and Kalahari
From$730 /ppn
Facilities