Makgadikgadi Pans
Why Visit Makgadikgadi Pans?
The Makgadikgadi Pans make for a truly unique sight. When dry, the vast spaces of open land are broken with baobab trees and glistening salt fossil pans around which zebra, springbok and impala can be seen grazing. When wet, the area is absolutely beautiful, with hordes of migratory birds gathering around the water filled salt pan basins; wildebeest and zebra by their side.
-
Makgadikgadi Pans Overview
The Makgadikgadi Pans is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The largest of these salt pans are the Sua, Nwetwe and Nxai Pans and are surprisingly rich in wildlife and birdlife. Largely in the wet season, Nxai Pans is the only place in Botswana where you can see impala grazing side by side with springbok.
The dry season sees ostriches, Chestnut-banded Plover and Kittlitz’s Plover, but the rain brings migratory birds such as ducks, geese and Great White Pelicans. The pan is the only breeding ground for Great Flamingos in Southern Africa.
The Mkgadikgadi Pans have been inhabited by bushmen since the Stone age, turning the pans into historical archaeological sites. The pans are scattered with fossils of Early Man’s tools, and the bones of the fish and animals he ate.
Highlights & Places in Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are what remain of ancient Lake Makgadikgadi that existed over 5 million years ago. The lake dried up, leaving glistening salt pans.
A 4x4 quad bike ride takes you across the vast open spaces to view the green, low-lying vegetation which line the perimeters of the salt pans; attracting game for grazing and the hungry lion, cheetah and hyena that follow.
Brilliant birds congregate around the salt pans in the wet season; making the spot perfect to view an odd grouping of a variety of native and migratory birdlife.
Best Time to Visit Makgadikgadi Pans
When to Go
July to April is the best time to visit the Makgadikgadi Pans. The wet season brings the wildlife and birdlife to gathering around waterholes.
Getting There & Getting Around
Getting To Makgadikgadi Pans
There are daily flights departing Johannesburg, arriving in Maun and direct flights to Maun from Cape Town are available on Mondays and Fridays. Once in Maun you can enter the Makgadikgadi Pans via 4x4 vehicle.
If on a self-drive, the turnoff to get to Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park is 160km east of Maun and 45km west of the small village of Gweta.
Getting Around Makgadikgadi Pans
When in the Makgadikgadi Pans the best way to get around is either by 4x4 safari vehicle or by 4x4 quad bike.
Makgadikgadi Pans Tips : Know Before You Go
ATMs:
Maun is the nearest city to Makgadikgadi Pans, and does have ATM’s, however there are no ATMs in Central Kalahari.Forex/Money:
It’s best to carry local currency, Pula, with you because most of the camps don’t accept travellers cheques or US dollars.Credit/Debit cards:
Credit cards are only accepted at the larger camps.Internet availability:
Very few lodges offer an internet connection.Drinking water:
It is advised that you drink bottled water. You can buy bottled water from the nearest city from the lodge you’re staying at.Hospitals & Medical:
The nearest health care facility is located in Maun. General health care quality and availability is of a high standard, however in the rural areas, medical assistance is poor. Visit your doctor 4-6 weeks before your trip departure and enquire about medical vaccinations and inoculations required for the area.Visa Requirements:
Most country’s citizens will not be required to organise a visa before entering the country but will need a valid passport as well as confirmed return tickets. -
Makgadikgadi Pans Accommodation: This page features 5 recommended places to stay in Makgadikgadi Pans. View all 6 Makgadikgadi Pans accommodation options.
-
Camp Kalahari Makgadikgadi Pans Priced from ZAR 2,922 pps
Category : Tented Camps
Camp Kalahari is a return to the traditional safari style, and is the best way to experience the Makgadikgadi in a fresh and affordable way.
-
Jack’s Camp Makgadikgadi Pans Priced from ZAR 7,306 pps
Category : Tented Camps
The response from guests who have been there is always the same: 'It's different'. Jack's camp is a refreshing alternative to the Okavango Delta. A safari to Jack's Camp is also a complete desert experience focusing on species unique to the area such as aardvark, gemsbuck and springbuck. It is the only place where guests are guaranteed to see the rare and elusive brown hyaena and be able to walk through the Kalahari with a gang of habituated but wild meerkats!
-
Leroo La Tau Makgadikgadi Pans Price On Request
Category : Safari Lodges
Leroo La Tau provides luxury safari accommodation near the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana.
-
Meno a Kwena Makgadikgadi Pans Priced from ZAR 2,972 pps
Category : Tented Camps
Meno a Kwena proudly boasts close proximity to spotting Africa's 'Big Five'. In the dry/winter months, hundreds, nay, thousands of zebra, elephants and a many other wildlife drink from what can only be described as one of the most productive drinking spots which is in perfect view from the camp. There is also a great possibility of spotting the rare white rhino, which is unlikely to be found on safari anywhere else in Botswana.
-
Nxai Pan Makgadikgadi Pans Priced from ZAR 3,151 pps
Category : Safari Lodges
The landscape is largely covered by grassland and dotted with clusters of umbrella acacia trees and mopane woodland in the north. Nxai Pan is well known for its springbok population and once the rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebras migrate to the region.
-
-
Makgadikgadi Pans Map
