Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

The Makgadikgadi Pan National Park lies in northern Botswana on what used to be a lake that covered an area larger than Switzerland but has since dried up.It is now one of the largest salt pans in the world, and one of its most breath-taking sights.

Southeast of the Okavango Delta and surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, the Makgadikgadi Pan is not one pan, but rather a collection of numerous smaller pans, each offering their own treasure trove of natural beauty.

Nxai Pan National Park comprises several larger pans – the Nxai Pan, Kgama Kgama Pan and Kudiakam Pan, all once ancient salt lakes. A landscape of grass and scattered islands of acacia trees, its many smaller pans fill with water during the rainy season (December to April), attracting a rich population of wildlife. Lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, bat-eared fox and sometimes even elephant all come to drink during this time. The Nxai Pan National Park is one of the more accessible areas of the Makgadikgadi.

The Unique Experience

When asked what attracted him to the desert, author T.E Lawrence remarked that he liked it because it was clean. Consider the Makgadikgadi Pan the cleanest. The Pan comprises a barren area of 12000 Km² that seamlessly stretches into the sky blue horizon. While almost completely abandoned by wildlife in the dry season, the rainy months bring with them a glimpse into what the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi once was. The powder blue waters of the newly-revived lake lap the white pebble shores as a diverse population of fauna come to drink. Rainfall brings with it a massive zebra and wildebeest migration.

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park combines stunning scenery and some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Botswana. A safari drive will place you in close contact with species as diverse as eland, lion, zebra, cheetah, giraffe, elephants and many others.

A mere 30km’s from Nxai Pan National Park’s entrance is Baine’s Baobabs, an island of seven gnarled baobab trees. The ancient, unchanged trees are named after the 19^th century explorer Thomas Baines and serve as a portal into the lush world that once existed atop the Makgadikgadi Pans. Travellers can enjoy camping beneath the shade of the baobabs for a unique Makgadikgadi experience. East Cape Tours is in the business of helping travellers tick off destinations on their bucket list and Makgadikgadi Pan National Park is unlike any other. Let us help you plan every detail of your trip, from accommodation to activities, so that you can focus on what’s really important – the experience. Contact us today!