Makgadikgadi salt pans

The Makgadikgadi is one of the largest salt-flat systems on Earth and the bed of an ancient lake that once rivalled Switzerland in size. It pairs an extraordinary sense of emptiness and silence with seasonal wildlife spectacles, baobab-studded islands and some of the continent's darkest night skies.

The best time to visit depends on what you want to see. The green season, roughly December to March, brings the zebra migration, newborn antelope, flamingos and lush grasslands, though the pans themselves can become largely inaccessible. The dry months, from April to October, are best for walking, quad-biking and stargazing on the hard salt flats, with wildlife concentrating along the Boteti River.

Botswana's salt pans lie in north-eastern Botswana and are most often reached via Maun, the regional safari hub, with overland access also possible between Nata and Maun, or from Gweta. Many lodges arrange light-aircraft transfers or guided road transfers as part of a safari, which is the simplest way to reach the more remote camps.

Botswana hosts two major zebra migrations centred on the Makgadikgadi–Nxai Pan ecosystem. The Chobe–Nxai Pan migration is a round trip of over 1,000km, recognised as one of Africa's longest land migrations. The Okavango–Makgadikgadi migration covers around 500km. Both were revived after veterinary fences blocking ancient routes were moved in the mid-2000s. Read more about Botswana's zebra migrations.

The best time to see zebras feeding on the green grasses of the Makgadikgadi ecosystem is during the rains, from about December to March. More than 20,000 zebras typically disperse across Nxai Pan National Park from December to February, with March being when the herds mass for their return journey. This coincides with Botswana's quieter, lower-cost low season.

Yes. The central pans are famous for groups of habituated meerkats that have grown accustomed to people. They go about their daily routines unbothered by visitors and, lacking tall vantage points on the open flats, will sometimes climb onto a human to scan for predators.

Beyond the migratory zebras and habituated meerkats, the Botswana salt pans region supports resident springbok, impala, giraffe, oryx, eland, hartebeest and elephant. Predators include black-maned Kalahari lions, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, alongside bat-eared foxes, aardwolves and aardvarks. When the pans flood, birdlife is exceptional, with flamingos, pelicans and many waterbirds.

In years of good rainfall, the flooded pans attract large numbers of greater and lesser flamingos. The community-managed Nata Bird Sanctuary on Sua Pan protects one of the most important flamingo breeding sites in southern Africa, making the wet season a remarkable time for birders.

Activities vary by camp and season but typically include game drives, guided walks, meerkat encounters and cultural experiences with San communities. In the dry season, when the flats are firm, many camps offer quad-biking expeditions, sleep-outs under the stars and exceptional stargazing.

Horseback safaris and visits to Kubu Island and Baine's Baobabs are available at some properties.

Kubu Island is a granite outcrop rising from the flat expanse of Sua Pan, studded with ancient baobab trees. It is a Botswana national monument and a sacred site for the region's indigenous people, and is scattered with stone relics that point to its long human history.

Baines' Baobabs are a cluster of large baobab trees in Nxai Pan National Park, made famous by the 19th-century British artist Thomas Baines, who painted them while travelling through the Kalahari. The trees stand near Kudiakam Pan and remain remarkably unchanged, more than 160 years later.

Yes, the Makgadikgadi pairs naturally with Botswana's other great wilderness areas. The Okavango Delta lies to the west and the Chobe River and floodplains to the north, both linked to the Makgadikgadi by the same zebra migration routes. Combining the pans with the Delta or Chobe makes for a varied, contrast-rich Botswana itinerary.

1. Our safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.

2. You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 105 days before you travel.

3. Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.