Botswana
Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are among the largest salt flats in the world, offering vast open horizons, surreal landscapes, and seasonal wildlife spectacles in one of Botswana’s most striking desert environments.
Explore Botswana
THE PANS
Located in northeastern Botswana, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park stretches from the Boteti River through to one of the world’s largest salt flats covering around 12,000 sq. km. Guests are captivated by its lunar-like landscape, ancient baobabs and vast Makgadikgadi salt pans. Witness the phenomenal seasonal migration of zebras and wildebeests and embrace the solitude of this untouched wilderness. The park promises unparalleled stargazing opportunities. A journey to Makgadikgadi is a voyage to nature’s wonders.
The Makgadikgadi Pans lie in north-eastern Botswana, forming part of the remnants of one of the world’s largest ancient lakes. This expansive region includes salt pans, grassy plains, and the Boteti River system, creating a diverse semi-arid ecosystem. Its open, dramatic landscapes offer a sense of scale and solitude rarely found elsewhere, making it a unique contrast to Botswana’s wetter Delta environments.
Makgadikgadi is famous for its seasonal zebra and wildebeest migration, one of southern Africa’s largest wildlife movements. During the rainy season, herds gather on the grasslands, attracting predators such as lion and hyena. Along the Boteti River, elephants, hippos, and antelope concentrate during drier months. Birdlife is also abundant, with flamingos and migratory species frequenting the pans when water is present.
Communities surrounding the Makgadikgadi Pans include the Bakalanga, Bayei, and San (Basarwa) peoples, whose histories are deeply connected to this ancient landscape. The region is considered one of the earliest areas of human settlement. The San people’s traditional tracking knowledge and survival skills reflect generations of adaptation to the semi-arid environment. Today, cultural heritage, storytelling, and community life remain integral to the region’s identity.
Makgadikgadi offers dramatic seasonal contrasts. During the rainy months from December to April, the pans transform with fresh grass and migratory herds, creating vibrant wildlife scenes. In the dry season, the salt flats stretch endlessly under vast skies, offering stark beauty and clear night skies ideal for stargazing. Each season reveals a different character of this extraordinary desert landscape.
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