Botswana Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the Botswana & Namibia guide.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is part of the Kalahari Basin and has some of the largest salt pans in the world. The shimmering, cracked crust doesn’t look as if it could support any form of life. After good rains, however, this desolate landscape transforms when new grass attracts thousands of animals, and from December to March the park is home to one of Africa’s biggest zebra migrations. As the pans fill up, flocks of pelican and flamingo settle in as well.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Most wildlife activity in the park is at the Boteti River, and this is where most of the lodges are situated. This area gets jam-packed with grazers in the Dry season. Burchell's zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe and greater kudu all gather here. Lion, leopard and spotted hyena are regulars as well. When the grass starts to grow in the Wet season, these animals migrate east to the pans.
Scenery
The park has a variety of habitats. The Boteti River has beautiful, riverine forest on its banks. The pans in the east of the park don’t have much animal activity in the dry, winter months, but this is when their stark beauty is best appreciated. At this time, 4x4s can drive onto the pans to experience this strange environment up close.
Weather & Climate
Makgadikgadi Pans has a desert climate with two distinct seasons. The Wet season (November to March) is consistently warm, with the average daytime temperature hovering around 32°C/90°F. Temperatures in the Dry season (April to October) are anything but consistent. They start off warm, drop to cool in the middle of the year, then crank up to very hot in October.
Best Time To Visit
Depending on the time of year you visit Makgadikgadi, you’ll spot different animals around the park. The Wet season (November to March) is the best time to see birds. If you’re lucky, you’ll see enormous flocks of flamingos gathering at the pans. The Dry season (April to October) is when herbivores and various predators head down to the Boteti River.
Want To Visit Makgadikgadi Pans NP?
Safari Tours to Makgadikgadi Pans NP
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![10-Day Extraordinary Expedition]()
10-Day Extraordinary Expedition
$5,090 to $8,395 pp (USD)
Botswana & Zimbabwe: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Maun (Start), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Okavango Delta, Savuti (Chobe NP), Chobe NP, Victoria Falls (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 103 Reviews
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![10-Day Botswana Wildlife & Birdwatching]()
10-Day Botswana Wildlife & Birdwatching
$14,877 to $22,342 pp (USD)
Botswana: Private tourLuxury+Tented Camp & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Maun (Start), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Okavango Delta, Maun Airport (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 132 Reviews
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![9-Day Botswana: Chobe, Okavango & Makgadikgadi]()
9-Day Botswana: Chobe, Okavango & Makgadikgadi
$4,892 to $8,090 pp (USD)
Botswana: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Kasane (Start), Chobe NP, Okavango Delta, Moremi GR (Okavango Delta), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Maun Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 289 Reviews
