Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Best Time to Visit

19 Makgadikgadi Pans Safaris

Expert

By Anthony Ham

Anthony is the author of the 'Botswana & Namibia' Lonely Planet guide.

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The Makgadikgadi Pans can be visited throughout the year. It’s a seasonal park and wildlife migrates through it. The actual pans attract wildlife in the wet summer months, from December to May. However, most of the park and lodges are concentrated around the Boteti river area, which is best visited for wildlife viewing in the Dry season from June to December.

Best Time June to December (Best wildlife viewing at the river) and December to May (Best wildlife viewing and birding at the pans)

High Season July to October (The park never gets crowded, but high season rates may apply in lodges)

Low Season November to June (Low season rates may apply)

Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day with dry conditions)

Worst Weather January to March (It is hot, and it can rain a lot)

April to October –Dry Season

June to December are the best wildlife viewing months at the river area
Roads are in good condition, and it is easier to drive in the park
It is possible to drive, onto the pans
It is cooler in the middle of the day, from April to August
July to October is high season, and some lodges might have higher rates
It gets very dry and dusty

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (10)

+8 Photos

November to March –Wet Season

The pans fill up, and animals congregate to drink
Best birding time as migrants are present, and many birds are breeding
Big flocks of flamingos come to feed on the algae and might breed if conditions are right
It is very hot
Roads become boggy, and it isn’t possible to drive on the pans
Afternoon thundershowers can interfere with activities