Botswana’s Surreal Salt Pan Wilderness
West of Gweta, the tar road to Maun passes through Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pan National Park, two key wildlife areas in Botswana. Established together in the early 1970s to protect wildlife migrations, the parks were expanded in 1992 to form one vast area of nearly 7,500 km², connecting Nxai Pan to the newly renamed Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
Our Tours In Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
Explore our customized safari tours, crafted to showcase the region's iconic wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
Why Visit Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans?
Wildlife, Culture, and Desert Wonder
In the middle of the northern Kalahari, lies a complex of huge, flat salt pans. They are a collection of huge salt pans that make up the northern reaches of the Kalahari Desert. They are some of the largest salt pans on the planet and one of the last remaining homes of the San Bushmen. The most famous pans are the Makgadikgadi, consisting primarily of the vast Sua and Ntwetwe pans.
- ➡ Unique Desert Landscapes
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Makgadikgadi is a truly unique destination that can be visited at any time of year, with guests exploring the unique lunar landscape and spending time with the San Bushmen.
- ➡ Wildlife Experiences
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Once the rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebra migrate to the area from Chobe. At that time, zebra are present in thousands and drop their young at Nxai Pan, rivalling the spectacle of the multitude of young springbok, to further enhance game-viewing opportunities.
- ➡ Flamingo Migrations
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Sowa pan and the western Ntwetwe are important breeding sites for both greater and lesser flamingos who migrate here from Etosha in neighbouring Namibia and as far as East Africa. Brine shrimps, worms and tiny crustaceans provide food for greater while lesser flamingos feed on algae.
- ➡ Cultural Encounters
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Walk with San Bushmen and learn ancient survival skills passed through generations
- ➡ Iconic Landmarks
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Visit Baines’ Baobabs, a timeless backdrop for stunning photography.
Best Times to Visit Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
Seasonal Contrasts, Everlasting Impact
Around January to March, if the rains have been good, the pans flood. When this happens, grasses spring to life, flamingos arrive to nest, and a huge migration of zebra and wildebeest arrives from the Okavango Delta. This is one of Africa's great, unpredictable wildlife spectacles, with around 30,000 mammals making the journey. There are three luxury lodges located close to the pans, providing superb isolation, game-viewing in season, and wonderful experiences year-round.
- ➡ Dry Season
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During the dry season there is a good population of springbok, giraffe and gemsbok, though this often increases between around December and April when the rains can turn the park into a veritable salad bowl for herbivores. You'll also find hartebeest here, along with lion, cheetah, and both brown and spotted hyena.
- ➡ Rainy Season
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Once the rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebra migrate to the area from Chobe. At that time, zebra are present in thousands and drop their young at Nxai Pan, rivalling the spectacle of the multitude of young springbok, to further enhance game-viewing opportunities.
- ➡ Dry Winter Months
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In the dry winter months bustards and korhaans can usually be found in the grass fringes of the pan accompanied by migratory birds including kites, eagles and bee-eaters.
Salt, Sky, and Endless Horizons.
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From meerkats at sunrise to zebra herds crossing shimmering plains, Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans deliver unforgettable safari moments in one of Africa’s most surreal settings. Let Indigo Safaris craft your personalised journey into this desert wonderland.