Marianne Martinez
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a salt pan located in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. Covering an area of 3,900 square kilometres, it is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The park is known for its vast and lifeless landscape, attracting visitors who seek solitude and silence. The best way to get to the park is by flying to Maun Airport and then travelling by self-drive safari, organised mobile safari, or fly-in safari. The drive from Maun takes about three hours. Visitors can also fly by chartered plane to the airstrip at one of the lodges on the park's western boundary.
What You'll Learn
Self-drive safari
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is located 162 kilometres (100 miles) east of Maun, Botswana. The park can be reached by self-drive safari, a guided mobile safari, or a fly-in safari.
If you're planning a self-drive safari, here's what you need to know:
Getting There
The drive from Maun to the park takes about three hours. It's important to note that some parts of the route may only be accessible with a 4x4 vehicle, and road closures can occur due to seasonal weather conditions. The dry season, from June to August, is considered the best time to drive this route as the roads are in optimal condition.
Route Options
Maun to Xhumaga
The first leg of your journey covers 140 kilometres and will take approximately two hours. Along the way, you can visit the Thamalakane River, a popular bird-watching spot, and the village of Nxamasere to learn about the local culture. The Mababe Depression, a vast salt pan with diverse wildlife, is also a unique attraction.
Xhumaga to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
This stretch is a mere one-kilometre drive and will take less than an hour. However, a 4x4 vehicle is required, and there may be no gas stations along the way. The mystical Sua Pan, the beautiful Boteti River, and the awe-inspiring Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are highlights of this route.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to Maun
For the final leg of your journey, you'll drive 160 kilometres from the park back to Maun, which will take approximately three hours. A 4x4 vehicle is necessary, and it's recommended to refuel before starting this stage as gas stations may be scarce. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the pans, savannas, and forests, and keep an eye out for wildlife.
Accommodation and Activities
Luxury lodges, tented camps, and campsites are available for accommodation within the park and its surroundings. Jack's Camp, Camp Kalahari, and Nata Lodge are popular choices, each offering unique experiences and amenities.
The park offers a range of activities, including game drives, bush walking safaris, cultural tours, and guided tours to spot flamingoes and other wildlife. Kubu Island, with its fossilized bird droppings and prehistoric artifacts, is also a notable attraction. Quad biking and hot-air ballooning are available for those seeking more adventurous pursuits.
Practical Information
The park's entrance fee for international non-residents is $11 per adult per day, and non-Botswana vehicles cost $5.50. It is recommended to carry a small amount of local currency, the Pula (BWP), for smaller purchases. Visitors are expected to follow rules such as waste disposal, adhering to schedules, and staying in their vehicles when required.
The best time to visit the park for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from June to December, especially at the Boteti River. The wet season, from December to May, is ideal for wildlife and birdwatching at the pans.
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a stunning destination, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and cultural experiences. A self-drive safari is a great way to explore this remarkable area at your own pace.
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Organised mobile safari
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is located 100 miles (190km) east of Maun in north-east Botswana. The park can be reached by road or plane, and there are several options for an organised mobile safari.
Self-drive safari
You can drive to the park from Maun, which takes about three hours. However, it's important to note that some of the tracks in the park are only accessible by 4x4, and there are no real roads. When self-driving, you will need to bring all your supplies (food, water, firewood, fuel, etc.). It is also advisable to travel in at least two vehicles and bring a GPS.
Fly-in safari
The easiest way to get to the park is by chartered plane to the airstrip at one of the lodges on the western boundary. Charter flights are normally booked by the tour operator as part of a safari package. There are no scheduled flights to Makgadikgadi Pans.
There are several companies that offer organised mobile safaris to Makgadikgadi Pans. Here are some examples:
- Tribes Travel: They offer a tailor-made travel experience with enthusiastic and friendly experts. Their mobile safaris typically include game drives, night drives, guided walks, cultural walks with San Bushmen, and stargazing.
- Africa Sky: They offer a unique safari experience with glamorous camps and exciting activities. Their mobile camps follow the zebra migrations across the green and white pans.
- Discover Africa: They offer a range of mobile camping safaris to Makgadikgadi Pans, including photographic safaris, honeymoons, and family safaris. Their safaris combine wildlife, culture, history, archaeology, and geology. Activities include interacting with meerkats, walking with Bushmen guides, day and night game drives, birdwatching, and quad biking across the salt pans.
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Fly-in safari
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a salt pan located in the middle of the dry savanna plains of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world, covering an area of 3,900 square kilometres. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including zebras, elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and many species of antelope. The best time to visit the park depends on what you want to see and experience. If you're interested in seeing the zebra and wildebeest migration, the rainy season from December to March is a great time to visit. For those who want to see the flamingo flocks, the wet summer season from November to March is ideal.
One way to get to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is by fly-in safari. Most visitors on safari will enter Botswana through either Maun Airport (MUB) or Kasane Airport (BBK). The park is located 190 kilometres east of Maun, and the drive from the airport takes about three hours. However, the easiest way to get to the park is by chartered plane. You can fly to the airstrip at one of the lodges on the western boundary of the park. While the lodges are quite far from the pans, there are campsites for mobile safaris closer by. Charter flights are typically booked by the tour operator as part of the safari package. There are no scheduled flights to Makgadikgadi Pans.
If you're looking for a luxurious fly-in safari experience, the 7-day Majestic Journey Classic Makgadikgadi, Okavango Delta & Linyanti Safari might be a good option. This safari combines three different wilderness areas with varying ecosystems and wildlife. You'll get to explore the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Okavango Delta, and Linyanti, offering a diverse range of experiences.
Another option is the 12-day Botswana Honeymoon safari, which includes a visit to the Makgadikgadi Pans. This private tour offers a combination of luxury tented camps and hotels, providing a romantic and comfortable experience in the midst of the Botswana wilderness.
The 9-day Botswana: Chobe, Okavango & Makgadikgadi safari is another fly-in option. This private tour offers a luxurious experience with lodge and tented camp accommodations. You'll get to explore the Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta, and the Makgadikgadi Pans, giving you a well-rounded taste of Botswana's diverse wildlife and landscapes.
These fly-in safari options provide a convenient and comfortable way to experience the Makgadikgadi Pans and other highlights of Botswana. With a variety of tour lengths and accommodation styles, you can choose the safari that best suits your interests and preferences.
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Chartered plane to the park's western boundary
The easiest way to get to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is by flying to the airstrip at one of the lodges on the park's western boundary. Chartered flights are available from Maun Airport (MUB) or Kasane Airport (BBK), which are the two most common entry points for visitors to Botswana. The drive from Maun to the park takes about three hours, so flying is a much quicker option.
The lodges near the western boundary of the park are quite far from the actual pans, but there are some campsites for mobile safaris closer to the pans. The Motopi airstrip is 20 km from the western boundary of the reserve, and the Gweta airstrip is 16 km from the eastern boundary. Both of these airstrips can also be used for access.
If you're looking for a truly memorable experience, consider booking a scenic flight over the park. These flights offer breathtaking views of the glistening white salt pans, which stand out starkly against the surrounding landscape. It's an unforgettable way to take in the vastness and beauty of the park.
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Fly to Victoria Falls Airport and drive
If you're planning to fly to Victoria Falls Airport and drive to Makgadikgadi Pans, here's what you need to know. The Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe is a convenient gateway to Makgadikgadi Pans, located approximately 500 km (310 miles) away. The drive will take you about 7 hours, depending on road conditions and any possible delays.
When planning your trip, keep in mind that the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. It is renowned for its vast salt pans, covering an area of 3,900 square kilometres, making it one of the largest salt flats in the world. The park is also surrounded by the Kalahari Desert and lies southwest of the Okavango Delta.
The park offers a unique experience of remoteness and isolation. The best time to visit depends on what you want to see. If you're interested in witnessing the zebra migration, plan your trip between November and March, which is the rainy season. During this time, large herds of zebras, along with oryx, wildebeests, impalas, and springbucks, roam the area. Keep in mind that the roads can be challenging during this wet season.
On the other hand, if you want to explore the pans themselves, the dry season from March to October is the best time to go. During this period, the white surface of the pans stretches as far as the eye can see, and you can even observe the curvature of the Earth. While the days are warm, the nights can be extremely cold during this season. From August to November, the windy weather sets in, and the wildlife migrates towards the Boteti River in anticipation of the rains.
When planning your trip to Makgadikgadi Pans, consider booking a safari tour. These tours often include transportation, accommodation, and guided activities. You can choose from self-drive, mobile, or fly-in safari options, depending on your preferences and budget. Remember to review the passport, visa, and COVID-19 entry requirements for the countries you'll be visiting, as these may vary.
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Frequently asked questions
Makgadikgadi Pans is situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana.
The best time to visit depends on the kind of experience you want. The dry season (March to October) is the only time the pans are accessible. The wet summer season is from November to March.
The park can be reached by self-drive safari, an organised mobile safari, or a fly-in safari. The drive from Maun takes about three hours. The easiest way to get to the park is to fly by chartered plane to the airstrip at one of the lodges on the western boundary of the park.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are a collection of salt pans, which can be found in the Kalahari to the south-east of the Okavango Delta. The most famous of the pans are Sua Pan, Nxai Pan and Ntwetwe Pan. The area is also home to zebra, wildebeest, elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, and many antelopes.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are an impressive, surreal landscape. The name Makgadikgadi means "vast, lifeless land". The area is very flat, and in the dry season, the white surface spreads so far that you can see the curvature of the Earth.
