Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

The Makgadikgadi Pans are located in the northeastern Botswana, one of the world’s largest salt pans formed by the evaporation of a massive ancient lake covering over 16,000 square kilometers within the Kalahari basin. The Makgadikgadi formerly known as Makarikari is a region within the Kalahari basin. Makgadikgadi Pans form an inland basin that descends gradually from 3,150 feet in the west to 2,975 feet and then rise more steeply to between 3,500 and 4,000 feet (1,050 and 1,200 m) eastward of the Kalahari Desert.

The pans lie in the lowest part of the Kalahari Desert, where the land is mostly flat at about 3,000 feet above sea level. Long ago, during the Pleistocene period, this area was once covered by a large lake (Lake Makgadikgadi). Today, in normal rainy seasons, the pans fill with water from the Boteti (Botletle) River in the west, which gets its water from the Okavango River in the north.

The Makgadikgadi Pans have some of the biggest salt flats in Africa and the world at large. The largest, Ntwetwe Pan, stretches about 75 miles from east to west and around 100 miles from northeast to southwest. The smaller Sowa Pan is about 45 miles wide and 70 miles long. When there is water the pans form shallow pools with sandy, salty soil and small grassy islands. These conditions attract thousands of flamingos that can be seen here during safari tours in Botswana.

Formation and ancient history of Makgadikgadi Pans 

It is important to know that Makgadikgadi is not just a single salt pan but a network of multiple pans separated by stretches of sandy desert. The most popular include the Sua Pan, Ntwetwe Pan and Nxai Pan. The Sua Pan is located at the lowest point in the basin and the Kalahari Desert, spanning over 16,000 square kilometers forming a major part of the large Kalahari Basin.

For many years, these pans remained extremely dry forming wide, flat surfaces covered with salty clay and very little vegetation. Since this area is a desert, the temperatures are very high and harsh, with strong winds and very little rainfall throughout the year. However, during the rainy season, water collects in the pans and grasses begin to grow for a short time, making the area more alive and life sustaining during these periods. Although most of the time during the year this place is a dry land, its attract different wildlife and bird species as the seasons change.

This area is also believed to have been inhabited by humans for a very long time, according to Archaeological findings. Stone tools discovered in the area suggest that early human ancestors lived there thousands of years back. It is believed that during the wet seasons, pastoral communities grazed their livestock in the area, although the environment has changed over time. Although the exact formation of the Makgadikgadi Basin is still not fully understood, archaeologists believe it may have formed due to the slow sinking of the Earth’s crust along with slight tectonic movements. As the ancient lake (Lake Makgadikgadi) gradually dried up, it left behind clear shoreline features, especially in places like Gidikwe Ridge.

Attractions in Makgadikgadi Pans

The Makgadikgadi Pans are the vast landscape known for seasonal flamingos and zebra migration. This area has expansive white salt flat lands, ancient baobab tree and unique adventurous sceneries. Other popular adventures to do here include quad biking and stargazing.

The massive Sowa and Ntwetwe pans are a great place to visit for wildlife viewing and birding. The historical Kubu Island, Nata Bird Sanctuary are all incredible for wildlife viewing especially in the wet seasons.

Activities at Makgadikgadi pans

Baobab trees for camping and ideal for photography which are close to the edges of the Nxai pan.

Nata Bird Sanctuary has crucial breeding grounds for thousands of flamingos and various water bird. Nata is located at the Sowa pan.

Kubu island is rocky surrounded by white salt pans featuring ancient ruins, fossilized dropping for birds and massive Baobab trees.

Quad Biking and Helicopter rides allowing visitors to traverse and view at large. Popular activities at the flat lands and game drives

The largest Zebra Migration in Africa takes place between Boteti River and grasslands of the pans

Guided walking tours with the local san people to learn about their culture and survival skills at Bushmen Experience

Stargazing during the extreme luck of light pollution at the pans offer some of the best stargazing in the world.

Wet season is during December to May at the pans which turns into a vibrant wetland attracting thousands of migrating water birds creating the best birding and wildlife viewing opportunities.

During Dry season May to October, the pans are dry, white, providing an otherworldly landscape ideal for quad biking photography and finding desert adapted species