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Luxury Safaris Makgadikgadi Pans Botswana

The Great Makgadikgadi Pan

Makgadikgadi Pans is one of the flattest places on earth. Explore uncharted Africa safaris in the true wilderness of remote Botswana.

The Makgadikgadi Pan, located in the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana, is one of the largest salt flats in the world. It is a place you have to visit on your Botswana holiday. Once part of the vast Lake Makgadikgadi, which was larger than Switzerland, the lake dried up long ago, leaving behind this expansive and otherworldly landscape in the middle of Botswana.

During the rainy season and summer floods, the pans come alive –  attracting vast flocks of migratory birds including lesser and greater flamingos, pelicans, and other waterbirds, creating a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem. In contrast, the dry season sees a more desolate yet captivating environment, where wildlife sightings become less frequent in this part of the park. The views and landscape become stark – dont let this distract you from a safari toM akgadikgadi in the dry season.

To the north, the currently dry Boteti River hosts a series of hippo pools that draw game such as wildebeest, zebras, and the inevitable lions. One of the area’s highlights is the spectacular zebra migration, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the region’s incredible natural rhythms.

It is said that the origins of all mankind come from the ancient Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. Indeed, Makgadikgadi Pan safaris to this extraordinary region are profoundly moving – and it’s all in our guide to safaris in Botswana.  Makgadikgadi Pan is one of the flattest places on earth. Explore Jack’s Camp and Uncharted Africa safaris in the true wilderness of remote Botswana.

Thousands of years ago the Pan was a lake bigger than Switzerland. The great Makgadikgadi Pan is not one pan but many pans with sandy desert strewn between – the Sua, Ntwetwe, and Nxai Pans. Modern Homo sapiens first began to evolve in this region some 200,000 years ago, when it was a massive, remarkably fertile area of lakes, rivers, marshes, woodlands and grasslands. It was easier for people to live there and to evolve, along with their animal neighbors. 

Maybe this is why so many travelers are innately drawn to experience the pans every season. When it rains, soft green grasses emerge, attracting impressive herds of antelope and zebra, followed by predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and reptiles.

Did you know?

The Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana spans over 16,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most expansive salt flats on Earth. Historically, the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi once covered up to 80,000 square kilometers in the Kalahari Basin, now a dry and arid expanse.

Today, the pans flood briefly during rains, creating a stunning, ephemeral wetland teeming with life. This seasonal transformation attracts migratory birds, including flamingos and pelicans, and sustains the zebra migration, offering a remarkable contrast to the otherwise stark, otherworldly landscape. Visitors to the pans experience both its tranquil desolation and its vibrant seasonal rebirth teeming with birds and wildlife.

Highlights

  • Migratory ducks, geese, great white pelicans, and cranes arrive and the Sowa pan is home to one of only two breeding populations of greater flamingos in southern Africa.
  • The huge Baobab tree here is the largest tree in Africa, an ancient 5 300 years old, loved by famous explorers, Livingston and Selous. 
  • Camping safari enthusiasts like to sleep out at Kubu Island, a rocky outcrop on the edge of Sowa Pan.
  • Archaeological sites on the pans reveal ancient tools and fossils of fish and animals similar to what prehistoric man would have eaten. 

With Voyage2Africa, you too can experience the open Pans as part of a Botswana safari to the Okavango Delta and Kalahari combined!

What is the Makgadikgadi Pan?

The Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats, stretch over 16,000 km² in northeastern Botswana. Once a vast lake that dried up over 2,000 years ago, the pans now form a striking, otherworldly landscape of white salt flats, sandy desert, and sparse vegetation. During the wet season, rainfall transforms the area into a wildlife haven, attracting zebra, wildebeest, and predators. Though off the typical tourist trail, this surreal expanse near the Okavango Delta offers breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife encounters.

When is the best time to visit Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana?

The dry Season (May–October) is best for experiencing the vast, otherworldly salt flats, quad biking, and seeing desert-adapted wildlife.

The wet Season (November–April) is excellent for birdwatching, including flamingos, and witnessing the zebra and wildebeest migration.

When can I see the Wildebeest Migration at Makgadikgadi?

The Makgadikgadi Pans host Southern Africa’s only visible large-scale zebra migration, with around 30,000 animals—primarily zebra—moving seasonally across the vast, open grasslands. Unlike other migrations in Botswana, where tree cover obstructs views, the exposed terrain here allows for breathtaking sightings of zebra and wildebeest herds, followed closely by predators.

The migration begins in December as the green season transforms the dry pans into a lush oasis. By April, as the land dries, zebras move west to the Boteti River, staying until September. From October to November, they follow the rains to the Kalahari, before returning in December.

How do I get to Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana?

There are two options of road and air.

By air: Charter flights are available to nearby airstrips, such as in Gweta or the Tsigaro Airstrip, which has daily flights to and from the main airport at Maun. From there take a 4Wd transfer to one of the exclusive safari camps on the pan.

By road: It’s accessible by 4×4 vehicles from Maun (around 3-4 hours) or Kasane (6-7 hours).

What safari activities can I do at Makgadikgadi Pan?

Guided safaris offer the best way to navigate the vast Makgadikgadi Pans, providing expert insights into the region’s ecology and wildlife. Many lodges and safari camps offer tailored experiences, including quad biking, horseback safaris, scenic helicopter flips, and balloon rides

Game drives and night drives in custom 4x4s reveal rare desert wildlife like brown hyenas and Kalahari lions. Depending on rainfall, the pans transform into a shimmering lake or remain dry, attracting large zebra herds and their predators.

Nature walks, including Bushmen-guided treks, offer a deeper connection to the land. Birdlife thrives, with thousands of flamingos feeding in the shallows. Don’t miss Chapman’s Baobab, a historic traveler’s landmark.

What accommodation options are available at Makgadikgadi?

The Makgadikgadi Pans are a breathtaking wonder, stunning visitors with their contrasting beauty. During the dry season, they shimmer under the hot sun, while the rainy months bring a sparkling, water-filled landscape. We provide all the details you need to book your ideal accommodation, from luxury safari camps to cozy lodges, guest houses, and B&Bs.

Stay at Jack’s Camp, a charming rustic retreat perfect for unwinding after a day of game viewing. Covering a fifth of the national park, the pans depend on the Boteti River’s seasonal waters, drawing vast herds of migrating wildlife, including flamingos and elephants.

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