Botswana Parks
By Anthony Ham
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Botswana.
Makgadikgadi Pans is more a birding destination than a general wildlife destination. Birding is phenomenal in the wet summer months, especially if the pans fill up and flocks of lesser and greater flamingo, accompanied by pelican, come feeding in the shallows. The location of the flamingo varies depending on rain and algae, but the best place to see them is outside the park in the Nata Bird Sanctuary. The flamingo breed on the pans when the water is high enough to protect their nests from predators.
Notable Birds in Makgadikgadi Pans
Common
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Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders
Best Time for Bird Watching
Makgadikgadi Pans is a great park for bird watching throughout the year, but the thousands of flamingo that flock here in the wet summer months are the real highlight. The timing depends on the rain and algae levels and is highly variable, but the best months are in the Wet season, from November to April. This is the best time for migrants in general, and when a lot of birds are breeding and show their breeding plumage.
Best Parks for Birding –Including Birding Rating
Birdlife is especially rich in the northern parks, where permanent water is present. The other semi-arid parks still offer reasonable birding and the opportunity to see dry-country specials.
- Moremi GR 4.5/5 68 Birding Ratings
- Chobe NP 4.5/5 137 Birding Ratings
- Makgadikgadi Pans NP 3.7/5 32 Birding Ratings
- Okavango Delta 4.6/5 118 Birding Ratings
Want to Visit Makgadikgadi Pans NP?
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Facts & Figures
