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A vehicle travelling through the vast Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
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A private lodge with a fantastic view over the river in the Makgadikgadi National Park
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A herd of elephant cooling off in the river in Makgadikgadi
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The baron landscape of the Nxai Pans National Park
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Bushman walking through the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
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Rhino having a drink in the Makgadikgadi National Park
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Fantastic game viewing is a highlight when visiting the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
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An ever alert meerkat on the lookout for danger in the Makgadikgadi
No Botswana safari tours would be complete without a visit to the breathtakingly beautiful Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Parks. Situated west of Gweta on the tar road to Maun, these parks were established in the early 1970’s to protect the fragile ecosystem around the saltpans. In 1992, the park borders were extended, and the area was renamed the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to form one vast area covering just under 7, 500 square kilometres. The park incorporates Ntwetwe Pan, Sowa Pan, Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan (situated in its own National Park), Baines' Baobabs and Kudiakam Pan. Lying at about 1000 metres above sea level on the great African Plateau this reserve is situated in the northern stretches of the Kalahari. With no fixed lodges in the park, visitors can experience the thrill of sleeping under the stars in one of the designated campsites - many of which can only be accessed by four-wheel drive vehicle.
During years of good rain, all or party of the pans fill attracting wildlife and hundreds of thousands of waterbirds alerted to the presence of water. Flamingos come to breed from as far as the coastline of Namibia as well as other areas. Other waterbirds include pelicans and herons
The pans and desert endure an extremely hot, dry and harsh climate most of the year, dust bowls and dust devils (mini-cyclone) carry the dust into the atmosphere and can be seen for miles. The pans seem to stretch endlessly and mirages appear though often the haze turns out to be a wandering oryx. Not far behind huge herds of zebra and wildebeest are likely to be followed by lions and other predators that follow the migration. Shelter is sought under huge trees by both man and animal in this sparse vegetation.
Makgadikgadi Pans:
While Makgadikgadi Pans are known for their dry desolation, they are not always dried out. The pans fill up with water during the rains from mid-November, and generally hold their water until April or May. The thirstlands are then transformed into huge sheets of water, which attract a number of water birds and trigger migrations of wildebeest and zebra. The area is impossible to access by road during this time, but flights over the pans offer an unsurpassed safari experience. Both dry season and wet season visits to this park offer amazing viewing opportunities, with the stark contrast between the driest months, and the water wonderland during the wet season. Game viewing is excellent in this area, especially during rainy months during the migration of wildebeest and zebra.
Nxai Pan:
Nxai Pan National Park spans 2, 578 square kilometres, and is the sister park to Makgadikgadi National Park. One of the biggest focal points of the park is the huge water hole, which attracts lion, giraffe, kudu, impala, ostrich, fascinating birdlife and large numbers of springbok, as well as jackal, bat-eared fox and other smaller predators. Gemsbok, elephant and zebra migrate to the area during rainy season, offering excellent game viewing opportunities. Nxai Pan is open to visitors throughout the year, although road conditions can become difficult during times of heavy rain. Attractions within the park include the ‘old trek route’ trail, Bushman Pits and game viewing – making this area ideal for African safaris in one of Botswana’s most beautiful regions.
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Safaris 
