Makgadikgadi Pans National Park Activities

Covering an area of around 6,200 square-miles, the stark, featureless terrain of the Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan are the largest salt pans in the world. The National Park is situated in north-eastern Botswana, south-east of the Okavango Delta and is full of elusive species and desert-adapted animals making it the perfect complement to Botswana’s traditionally game-rich areas. The dramatic, almost lunar landscape of the salt pans is interspersed with sandy desert and occasional vegetation and is home to one of Africa’s largest zebra migrations. When the rains fall during the wet season (December to March), the pans fill with water and attract large numbers of zebra, springbok and wildebeest, followed closely by predators, making for fantastic game viewing. Makgadikgadi Pans National Park has very seasonal wildlife viewing, in the green season (January to April) you can expect to see big, migrating herds of Burchell’s zebra and blue wildebeest, oryx, eland and red hartebeest. Guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park focus on the exceptional wildlife sightings along the Boteti River. Experienced Bushmen trackers will take you on guided walks to historical sites and you will learn about the connection between their ancient culture and the natural environment. Take a day trip to Nxai Pan and Baines’ Baobab, located on the northern fringes of the Makgadikgadi. Nxai Pan is a waterless, fossil pan covered in grass with acacia islands. After the summer rains in December, the area teams with big herds of migrating zebra and wildebeest, accompanied by other grazers. Baines Baobob are located in the Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana. For a truly unique experience, enjoy a sleep out under a blanket of stars on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a place so remote both sound and light pollution are non-existent. Take an exhilarating quad bike across the vast expanse of the salt-crusted pans. Note activities may vary between lodge accommodation.