Everything You Need To Know Before Your Safari To Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans
The intricate waterways of the Okavango Delta or the elephant herds splashing in the Chobe River might come to mind when you think of Botswana. But if you go a little farther east, you'll find one of the most otherworldly places on Earth: the Makgadikgadi Pans.
The Makgadikgadi Pans—huge shimmering salt flats that seem to go on forever—are a place where silence, space, and spectacle all come together. This guide will help you understand why this amazing part of Botswana should be on your safari bucket list.
What Are the Makgadikgadi Pans?
The Makgadikgadi Pans are one of the largest salt flats in the world. What was once an enormous super-lake is now a wide, white expanse of baked earth that changes dramatically with the seasons.
During the dry season (May to October), the land is a bare, moonlike landscape. In the wet season (November to April), the rains fill the pans with water, turning them into shallow lakes that attract thousands of animals and migratory birds.
Makgadikgadi Pans Wildlife
Although the Makgadikgadi Pans may look empty, they are full of surprises. This is where one of Africa's last great migrations takes place during the rainy season.
Every year, like clockwork, massive herds of zebras and wildebeest move across the pans to find new grazing. The wet season also brings a breathtaking spectacle: thousands of flamingos descend upon the Sua Pan, turning the shallow waters into a sea of dancing pink at dawn and dusk. You might also see desert-adapted species like springbok, along with predators such as lions and cheetahs following the herds. Even in the dry season, the resident meerkats—curious and fearless—are an unforgettable sight.
One-of-a-Kind Experiences
Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans are unlike any other place for a safari. Here are some of the best parts:
Riding a quad bike across the salt flats: Hop on a quad bike and experience the immense, otherworldly landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The salt flats stretch to the horizon in every direction, and the quiet is broken only by the sound of your tires moving across the surface.
Stargazing under wide-open skies: The pans have some of the most beautiful night skies in Africa due to low light pollution. Some safari lodges in the region offer sleep-outs where you spend the night outdoors in the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Walking with meerkats: You can see these adorable animals up close on guided walks to watch them in their natural habitats.
Cultural experiences: Find out about the customs of the San, who have lived in this area for thousands of years.
When to Go to the Makgadikgadi Pans
Visit from June to October for cool, dry weather and clear skies for stargazing. The rains from November to April bring life to the pans, making them a paradise for birdwatchers and people who want to see the zebra migration.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are not your typical safari destination. Instead, they offer something rarer: a feeling of being in another world. Whether you come for the wildlife spectacles, the cultural encounters, or simply the silence and solitude, a safari here will leave an imprint on your soul. If Botswana is on your list, don’t overlook this extraordinary landscape—it just might be the highlight of your journey.
