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MAKGADIKGADI PANS
WHY TRAVEL HERE?
  • Makgadikgadimeans “vast, open, lifeless land”, an apt description for much of the terrain in this area.

  • Located in northern central Botswana, almost midway between Maun and Nata. 

  • The salt flats cover an area of 12,000km² and are believed to be the largest in the world.

  • Surrounding the pans is open grassland where the horizon is at eye level in every direction, the skyline broken only by stands of vegetable ivory palms. 

  • To the west, the grasslands give way to harsh and inhospitable scrubland and occasional dense riverine forest. 

  • During the rainy season when the pans are in flood, thousands of flamingos migrate there from Namibia and East Africa (attracted by the abundance of algae and crustaceans) and transform this otherwise arid area into a paradise of nature.

  • Surrounding grasslands are home to hartebeest, gemsbok, springbok and the brown hyena from the Kalahari. 

  • Also found in the reserve are lion, cheetah, spotted hyaena, kudu, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, steenbok, black-backed jackal and even elephant along the Boteti River.

  • Activities include quad-biking, game viewing in 4x4 vehicles, birding, guided walks and San cultural interactions. 

  • Days are hot and nights very cold throughout winter from May to August. 

  • In summer, from November to April, days are stiflingly hot with cooler nights. This season can be prone to rainfall and strong winds. 

  • Game viewing is best from April to July, whereas birding is best during the rainy season. 

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
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DIRECTIONS

By road
Travelling along the Maun-Nata Road, take the signposted turn-off to the park. The Xhumaga game scouts' camp is situated on the old road and it is there that you must pay park fees before continuing into the park. 4 x 4 vehicles are required.

By air
Tsigaro Airfield is 10 and 20 minutes away respectively from Jack's and San Camps respectively where several air charter companies fly into. There is also an airfield at Gweta but then road arrangements have to be made to get to the Pan. Outside the park, Motopi airstrip is 20 km from the western boundary of the reserve, or Gweta airstrip is 16 km from the eastern boundary. Both may be used for access.

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