Makgadikgadi Pan & Nxai Pan 2 Days / 1 Night

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Day 1- Maun to Makgadikgadi Pan

The safari departs from Maun at around 0730, earlier if required, the lengthy drive to the Pan normally takes about four hours along the surfaced road to Nata where we camp for the night.

The Makgadikgadi area constitutes the worlds largest salt pans with flat, open spaces that appear to go on for ever. This is mirage country. Isolated Ilala palms stand as lonely sentinels in the immensity of this dramatically stark yet curiously beautiful landscape. Certain sections of the pans are covered with a shallow layer of water, the extent of the water varying according to the amount of summer rains were experienced in the region.

A multitude of water birds are attracted to this alkaline water rich in planktons with the grassy edges of the pans being the haunts of game species such as gemsbok, zebra and springbok amonst others whilst the predators which seek them out are normally in attendance including lions and cheetahs.

This is also the habitat of the shaggy-coated desert-loving brown hyenas.

After dinner we enjoy the campfire, exchanging stories with our professional guide and maybe identifying various planets, constellations and other celestial objectsvisible in the clear star lit skies before zipping into our cosy tents and drifting off to the sounds of the wild.

Day 2 - Nxai Pan  and drive to Maun 

We leave Makgadikgadi Pan after breakfast, break camp and head for Nxai Pan.

Nxai Pan is located to the north of Makgadikgadi Pan and is known for the herds of springbok (within Botswana uniquely co-existing with impala), zebras and giraffes.

The scenery in Nxai Pan is both unique and beautiful with Nxai Pan once being part of a lake complex.

The area consists of fossil pans which have islands of acacia trees offering shade to the wildlife during the heat of the day.Large groups of giaffes may be encountered along with small herds of elephants and a host of other game including cats.

The Baines Baobabs or Seven Sisters, a striking group of baobab trees, captured on canvas by the artist Thomas Baines over 130 years ago, have changed little over the passage of time.

After the rains, the dusty plains undergo a magnificient transformation into green pastureland particularly sought out by a multitude of herbivores. Lions are much in evidence then, taking advantage of the influx of game.

In the dry season, it is profitable to spend a good part of the day parked near the one remaining water hole to watch the continuous procession of game coming to drink there.

Lions, knowing that this is the only water in the vicinity, lie in ambush near this water hole and the thrill of a kill may be the reward of the patient observer.

During this season, bull elephants, almost oblivious to the presence of onlookers, often dominate the water hole in the most photogenic manner.

The times and itinerary can be adjusted to suite your requirements.