Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park protects one of the largest salt pan complexes on the planet — the desiccated remnants of an ancient super-lake that once covered much of Botswana. Declared a game reserve in 1970 and upgraded to national park status in 1992, the park offers an otherworldly landscape of glaring white salt crust stretching to the horizon. Despite the stark terrain, the park teems with life in season: from June to November, zebra, wildebeest, lion, cheetah, and hyena roam the pan fringes, and the pans become a breeding ground for flamingos after rains. Together with neighbouring Nxai Pan National Park, Makgadikgadi hosts the largest zebra migration outside Tanzania.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Maun (MUB IATA), approximately 200 km northwest. Charter flights to the park's airstrip can be arranged. Letlhakane Airport also serves the region with domestic flights.

By Car / Road

From Maun, take the A3 highway east toward Letlhakane, then the gravel track north to the park entrance (about 3 hours). From Gaborone, it's a 6-hour drive via the A1 to Palapye then the A3 west. A 4×4 vehicle is essential; the access roads are sandy and easily bogged after rain. A campsite booking is required for entry.

Travel inside the park is by 4×4 vehicle only. Tracks are sandy and unmarked; a GPS is essential. Distances between campsites are significant. Fuel is not available in the park — fill up in Maun or Letlhakane. Organised tours from Maun and Gweta use experienced guides and provide all equipment.

• The salt pans — the vast white expanse of Sua, Ntwetwe, and Nxai pans, best seen at sunrise or sunset for surreal light.

• Kumaga Camp surroundings — a good area for lion, cheetah, and elephant sightings near the Boteti River.

• Njuca Hills — rocky outcrops on the pan edge offering panoramic views across the white flats.

• Flamingo gatherings — after good rains, thousands of lesser flamingos gather on the pans to breed (January–April).

• Game drives — spot zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, springbok, lion, cheetah, and brown hyena across the pan fringes.

• Zebra migration viewing — November–December, the seasonal zebra migration is one of Africa's great wildlife spectacles.

• Quad-biking on the pans — several operators in Gweta offer guided quad-bike excursions across the salt.

• Meerkat encounters — habituated meerkat colonies near the pans allow close-up wildlife photography.

• Stargazing — the pans offer an utterly unobstructed 360° horizon with zero light pollution.

Self-catering or full-board safari camp meals. Kumaga Camp and Njuca Hills Campsite are basic; bring your own food and cooking equipment unless on a fully catered tour.

Bring sufficient drinking water for your stay. There are no bars or restaurants. Safari camps provide drinks for guests on full-board packages.

• Budget: Njuca Hills Campsite — basic designated camping with pit toilets; book through DWNP in Gaborone or Maun.
• Mid-range: Kumaga Camp — basic camp on the Boteti River with camping pitches and ablutions.
• Upscale: Jack's Camp — a classic safari camp on the pan edge with tented suites, full board, and guided activities (operated by Natural Selection).

• Nxai Pan National Park — adjacent to the north, with Baines' Baobabs and excellent dry-season game viewing.
• Gweta — 50 km west, gateway village with budget accommodation and quad-bike tour operators.
• Maun — 200 km northwest, the safari capital and gateway to the Okavango Delta.
• Central Kalahari Game Reserve — 200 km southwest, for an even more remote Kalahari wilderness experience.