Pans region in Botswana
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pans National Park, with their vast salt pans, form an impressive, surreal landscape which attracts a lot of wildlife and is home to a famous Baobab island.
The areas around the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans are located in the central and eastern part of Botswana, southeast of the Okavango Delta. The Makgadikgadi and Nxai salt pans are among the largest salt pans in the world. Overall, the area of the salt pans system covers an area of over 16000 km².
In the summer months (December to March) it is hot and, due to the rainy season, the humidity is high. The winter months are mild climate, the temperatures can drop below 0 °C every now and then.
The salt pans are surrounded mostly by vast, open grasslands. During and after the rainy season, they attract many wild animals such as antelopes and zebras. The Nxai Pans National Park is located on the animal herd's migration route between the Okavango Delta and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and the southern grasslands in and around the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Lions, giraffes, kudus, black-backed jackals, springboks, impalas and bat eared foxes can be found all year round. During the rainy season from December to April, oryx antelopes, elephants, oryx and thousands of zebras are added. Ostriches and numerous species of birds complement the wildlife viewing. As many animals get their offspring during the rainy season, Spring buck, for example, In December and zebras in March and April, the pans contain countless animal children and their parents.
Here's an overview of things to do, highlights and places to see in the Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans region. This extraordinary region with the huge salt pans of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pan National Park is located in the middle of the migration routes of wildlife that move from the Okavango Delta to Hwange National Park and is therefore very rich in game.
Makgadikgadi / Nxai pans region
Observation lounge overlooking the Boteti River © Bush Ways
Boteti River Camp is a cost-effective oasis on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park and close to the Nxai Pan National Park. Due to its peaceful and dreamy location, it is a recommended addition to any Botswana safari and offers fantastic contrasts to the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve or the Chobe National Park.
Tent at Camp Kalahari © Natural Selection
Camp Kalahari is located within a 400,000 hectare private game reserve, nestled amidst acacia and mokolwane palm trees on Brown Hyena Island. In addition to the rare brown hyena, spoon-eared foxes, aardvarks, and aardwolves occasionally scamper across the salt, and elephants roam the area. From November to April, huge herds of zebra and wildebeest pass by with the rains, followed by big cats and wild dogs. During the dry season, from May to October, haze settles over the salt, and the sun sparkles off the Makgadikgadi pans.
Leroo La Tau suite at sun set © Desert & Delta Safaris
Leroo La Tau is luxury lodge located at the Boteti river at the border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The lodge offers twelve thatched suites with en-suite bathrooms. Each suite is raised on a wooden platforms.
Overlooking the Meno a Kwena camp © Natural Selection
Meno a Kwena (Crocodile Teeth) Camp is located on the western boundary of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, perched on a 100-foot high clifftop overlooking the beautiful Boteti River, the region's only permanent body of water, attracting numerous prey and predators during the dry season. In April, thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the river, joining the local wildlife and waterfowl..
Overlooking the Nxai Pans © Kwando Safaris
Nxai Pan Camp is a luxury camp situated in the Nxai Pan National Park overlooking the vast grasslands of the pans. The nine luxury thatched tents and the main area with its expansive open-air lounge are located around a waterhole which is frequently visited by elephants, cheetah and herds of zebra.
Nata Lodge © Under One Botswana Sky
Nata Lodge is a guest lodge situated about 10 km from Nata village, close to the Nata Bird Sanctuary in the area of the famous Makgadikgadi salt pans. The lodge offers accommodation in 22 thatched chalets and 10 safari tents. Campers will find a large camp ground.
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