Makgadikgadi Pans Botswana Safaris

OUR BOTSWANA SAFARIS AND THE MAKGADIKGADI PANS:

The Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana have been described as a desolate expanse of beauty, formed by what was once a massive, 30 meter deep, ancient lake some five million years ago. What remains in this area of Botswana is a series of the largest pans in the world; the Ntwetwe, Sowa and Nxai pans, each covered by a layer of glistening salt - a highlight of any Botswana Safari.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are a less frequented holiday safari destination in Botswana and make for a hauntingly beautiful vacation, particularly during the rainy season (January – April). Though for those that know of this area, it has become a special Botswana Safari ‘must-see’. As the rain arrives, herds of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope make their way northwards to the Nxai Pan and are followed closely by the migration of predators, such as lion, cheetah and hyena. The Makgadikgadi Botswana Pans thus form part of the route on one of Africa's last remaining migrations.

As the game moves northwards, the pans are transformed into an oasis for a vast array of water birds, including flamingo, pelican, duck, geese and a variety of crane, that peck up the surfacing shrimp and fish. Sowa in particular is an expansive breeding ground for flamingos, where they are sighted in their thousands – to see this while on a Botswana Safari is a magical sight.
Towards the south-western end of Sowa is Kubu Island – a Botswana holiday highlight - famous for its huge baobab trees that punctuate the landscape.

After the rains, the waters gradually recede, leaving a semi-desert of salt pans, set against a vast open sky. Makgadikgadi Pans are an attractive Botswana Safari vacation option for those seeking something a little unusual and for bird lovers in particular. A variety of safari tours and accommodation options are available.

Please have a look at our Botswana Safaris that pass through Makgadikgadi Pans below. We also have other Botswana Attractions that you might want to visit on your Botswana Safari.

• Chobe National Park
• Okavango Delta
• Kalahari
• Savuti Game Reserve
• Linyanti Game Reserve
• Moremi Game Reserve
• Tuli Block Reserve
• Khwai River
• Mashatu Game Reserve
• Mokoros
• Khama Rhino Sanctuary
• Tsodilo Hills
• Gemsbok Area
• Nxai Pan National Park
• Baines Baobabs
• Nata Bird Sanctuary
• Botswana Animals