Safari in Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
Witness the vast, shimmering salt pans and unique desert-adapted wildlife, including the spectacular zebra migration.
Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans Parks Map
Explore safari parks across Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans Safari Parks
Explore safari parks in Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
CT/1
CT/1 is a protected area in Botswana.
CT/2 Concession
CT/2 Concession is a protected area in Botswana.
CT/3 Concession
CT/3 Concession is a protected area in Botswana.
CT/5
CT/5 is a protected area in Botswana.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Part of one of the largest salt pan systems in the world, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park transforms dramatically with the seasons. During the wet season, it becomes a crucial breeding ground for flamingos and attracts a spectacular zebra and wildebeest migration, while the dry season reveals the vast, otherworldly expanse of the salt pans, offering unique quad biking and cultural experiences.
Nata Bird Sanctuary
Located on the northeastern edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Nata Bird Sanctuary is a crucial breeding ground for a spectacular array of waterbirds, including flamingos and pelicans, especially during the wet season. It's a paradise for birdwatchers, offering incredible photographic opportunities of these avian spectacles.
NG41 Mababe Zokotsama Community Concession
NG41 Mababe Zokotsama Community Concession is a protected area in Botswana.
NG/42
NG/42 is a protected area in Botswana.
NG/43 Sankuyo Tshwaragano Concession
NG/43 Sankuyo Tshwaragano Concession is a protected area in Botswana.
NG/47
NG/47 is a protected area in Botswana.
NG/49 Phuduhudu Community Concession
NG/49 Phuduhudu Community Concession is a protected area in Botswana.
Nxai Pan National Park
Adjacent to Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan is characterized by its fossilized pans and acacia woodlands, offering excellent wildlife viewing, especially during the green season. It's known for its large herds of zebra and wildebeest, which migrate here, attracting predators like lions and cheetahs, and is also home to the iconic Baines' Baobabs.
Orapa Game Park
Orapa Game Park is a protected area in Botswana.
Compare Parks in Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
Side-by-side comparison of safari parks in Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
| Park | Area | Wildlife | Lodges | Crowds | Malaria | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makgadikgadi Pans National Park | 4,902 km² | 313 | - | Quiet | Low | BW-0045 (26km) |
| Nxai Pan National Park | - | 256 | - | Quiet | Low | BW-0052 (11km) |
| Nata Bird Sanctuary | - | 294 | - | Quiet | Low | FBNT (16km) |
| CT/1 | - | - | - | Quiet | Low | FBTN (18km) |
| CT/2 Concession | - | - | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0044 (52km) |
| CT/3 Concession | - | 206 | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0044 (44km) |
| CT/5 | - | 218 | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0044 (19km) |
| NG/42 | - | - | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0043 (8km) |
| NG/43 Sankuyo Tshwaragano Concession | - | 269 | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0052 (56km) |
| NG/47 | - | 249 | - | Quiet | Low | BW-0052 (22km) |
| NG/49 Phuduhudu Community Concession | - | 256 | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0002 (30km) |
| NG41 Mababe Zokotsama Community Concession | - | 358 | - | Very Quiet | Low | BW-0017 (42km) |
152 species recorded in Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans17 threatened
Standing on the edge of the Makgadikgadi feels like being on the moon, an immense, shimmering expanse that stretches to the horizon. We love the stark beauty here, a landscape that demands respect and rewards patience. When the rains arrive, this dry desert explodes with life, and the zebra migration is a sight we never tire of. The sunsets over the pans are simply sensational, painting the sky in impossible colours.
Terrain & Altitude
Vast, ancient salt pans dominate the landscape, interspersed with scrubland and acacia savanna.
900-1,100m above sea level
Vegetation
Sparse desert grasses and hardy acacia trees cling to the edges of the pans, with more substantial vegetation found in the surrounding scrub and woodlands.
Water Sources
The pans themselves are dry salt crusts for most of the year, with temporary waterholes forming after rains, and the Boteti River providing a vital lifeline during the wet season.
Unique Features
The sheer scale of the salt pans, which transform into a shallow lake attracting wildlife after good rains, is unlike anywhere else we have experienced.
While driving into the pans is possible, we always recommend flying into Maun and then taking a charter flight or arranging a transfer with your lodge. It saves considerable time and stress, especially on the sandy tracks that can be unforgiving. The real magic of the pans is best experienced when you arrive refreshed and ready to explore.
Nearest Airports
Maun Airport (MUB)
120km / 1.5hr drive to the edge of the pans
Daily connections from Johannesburg (MJI) and Windhoek (WDH), plus regional flights within Botswana.
Francistown Airport (FRW)
300km / 4hr drive
Limited international connections, primarily domestic flights within Botswana.
Bush Airstrips
Driving Routes
From Maun
A relatively straightforward drive on mostly good gravel roads. We recommend a 4WD vehicle, especially if traveling during or just after the rainy season when some tracks can become challenging.
From Gaborone
This route involves longer stretches of tarmac before turning onto gravel. It's a longer drive but offers a different perspective of Botswana's landscapes.
Temperature
24.3°C
76°F
Rainfall
139.3 mm
Wet season
Humidity
69.2%
Sunshine
10.8 hrs/day
Data source: Open-Meteo Archive API
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