Makgadikgadi and

Nxai Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pans together cover an area the size of Portugal and consist of several pans interspersed with dunes, stone islands, and desert-like areas. The two largest pans are Ntwetwe and Sua pans. Characteristic of these areas are some tall and more than 1000 years old Baobab trees, but otherwise very low vegetation with no vegetation at all in the pans themselves. During the rainy season, huge lakes are created that evaporate and gets absorbed into the soil completely in a matter of months.

Especially after the rainy season there is an influx of zebras and wildebeest. As the dry season progresses, some of them stay behind, but the majority leaves again in search of fresh grass. In addition, these areas have permanent residents such as lions, elephants, gemsbok, springbok, jackal, and smaller game such as bat-eared foxes and meerkats. As soon as the rains come, some of the pans get flooded and that each year attracts tens of thousands of flamingos.

To visit Makgadikgadi pans you have the option of entering the park via Khumaga via a hand-drawn ferry across the river or via the northern entrance from the A3 (Maun-Nata road).

Nxai Pans is only accessible from the A3. The road to Nxai pans is deep sand and 4×4 is necessary in both parks. Ntwetwe pans are easiest to reach from Gweta and the Sua pans from Nata / Sowa.

Makgadikgadi pans has a few campsites in and just outside the park around Kumaga. In addition to these campsites, the park also has a number of high-end lodges. Nxai Pans has 2 campsites, one on the south side of the park and one near Baines Baobab. In addition, Nxai Pans also has a few high-end lodges.

You pay the entrance fee for both parks at the gate of the park. The costs for international customers with their own transport are BWP190 (approx. €14 per day per person and BWP75 (approx. €5) per car per day.