Ancient Origins
The Makgadikgadi Pans hold secrets that stretch back millions of years. What you see today as vast white salt flats was once a massive super-lake, covering over 80,000 square kilometers – larger than Switzerland – and reaching depths of 30 meters. This ancient lake disappeared tens of thousands of years ago due to climate shifts and tectonic movements, leaving behind one of Africa's most extraordinary landscapes.
Archaeological discoveries here are mind-blowing. Stone tools found in the area predate modern humans, and researchers believe this region may be where Homo sapiens first evolved around 200,000 years ago. The fertility of the ancient lake environment created perfect conditions for early human development.
Kubu Island
A Sacred Sanctuary
Rising from the salt flats like a mirage, Kubu Island is a 2-billion-year-old granite outcrop about one kilometer long. The Khoe people call it "Ga'nnyo," though its modern name means either "large rock" or "hippopotamus" depending on which local language you reference. The island's slopes are scattered with fossilized beaches of rounded pebbles, ancient bird guano, and mysterious stone cairns that hint at connections to the Great Zimbabwe empire.
Walking among the massive baobab trees here – some older than Christianity itself – feels deeply spiritual. These "upside down trees" have served as landmarks and shelters for countless generations.
Popular Trips to the Makgadikgadi
The tours below showcase just some of what is possible. Use these itineraries as starting points, or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch, and let our expert team help craft the perfect itinerary for you.
Wildlife in the Makgadikgadi
The Great Zebra Migration
From December to April, Makgadikgadi transforms into the stage for Africa's second-largest animal migration. Around 25,000 to 30,000 zebras make the epic 1,000-kilometre round trip from the Chobe and Okavango regions down to these ancient salt pans. It's actually the longest land mammal migration in the world, yet remarkably few people know about it.
When the rains arrive, the barren white salt flats become lush grasslands dotted with temporary lakes. The zebras follow this green carpet, bringing wildebeest and other grazers with them. We love timing visits during this period because you witness the landscape's complete transformation alongside this massive wildlife spectacle.
Flamingos
Between March and June, hundreds of thousands of flamingos descend on Sua Pan, turning the water a brilliant pink. Nata Bird Sanctuary sits at the mouth of the Nata River and ranks as one of only three prime flamingo breeding sites in Africa. The timing depends entirely on rainfall patterns, making each breeding season feel like a natural lottery.
The sight of thousands of flamingos stretching across the horizon against the white salt backdrop is genuinely breathtaking. Peak breeding typically happens around March and April, though we always recommend building flexibility into your itinerary since nature doesn't follow schedules.
Desert Wildlife
During the dry months from June to December, wildlife concentrates along the Boteti River on the park's western edge. Here you'll find elephants, hippos, and various antelope species gathering at permanent water sources.
The real stars of the dry season are the desert-adapted specialists scattered across the pans. Meerkats provide endless entertainment as they pop up from their burrows, while brown hyenas, aardwolves, and bat-eared foxes hunt under cover of darkness. Gemsbok and springbok have mastered life in this harsh environment, requiring minimal water to survive.
Our favourite dry season experience is sleeping out under the stars on the salt pans themselves. The silence and vast open sky create an almost otherworldly sense of space that's impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Best Lodges in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
The Makgadikgadi region offers three very different ways to experience Botswana's otherworldly salt pans and surrounding wilderness. Jack's Camp is the eccentric luxury option, rebuilt in 2020 with nine spacious tents featuring plunge pools and a distinctly Moroccan aesthetic complete with Persian rugs and brass baths. Think museum-meets-safari-camp, where taxidermy and explorer artifacts create an atmosphere that's theatrical yet sophisticated.
Camp Kalahari delivers the same unique activities as its famous sibling but with a more understated, family-friendly approach. Its 12 Meru-style tents welcome children of all ages, making it our top choice for families wanting to experience the magic of habituated meerkats and quad biking across lunar-like salt flats without the theatrical luxury.
Leroo La Tau takes a completely different approach, positioning itself on the western bank of the Boteti River rather than deep in the pans. Its 11 glass-fronted chalets offer panoramic river views and front-row seats to the zebra migration between May and October. While you can arrange special excursions to the salt pans during longer stays, the focus here is on the river ecosystem.
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans FAQs
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What is the best time to visit Makgadikgadi Pans for wildlife viewing?
The optimal time depends on your interests: December–May offers the spectacular zebra migration and flamingo flocks, while June–December provides excellent game viewing along the Boteti River and stark salt pan landscapes.
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How do I get to the Makgadikgadi Pans?
Access to lodges like Leroo La Tau is typically via 30-minute light aircraft from Maun to Khumaga airstrip followed by a 20-minute drive, or alternatively a 2-hour road transfer from Maun.
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What wildlife can I expect to see in Makgadikgadi Pans?
During wet season (December–March), witness Africa's second-largest migration with 25,000 zebras plus wildebeest, flamingos, and black-maned lions. Dry season offers desert-adapted species like meerkats, aardvarks, brown hyenas, and caracals.
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What type of accommodation is available in Makgadikgadi Pans?
Options range from luxury camps like Jack's Camp and San Camp to thatched chalets at Leroo La Tau overlooking the Boteti River. Community-run campsites at Kubu Island offer basic facilities for authentic stargazing experiences.
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How many days should I spend in Makgadikgadi Pans?
A minimum of 3 nights is recommended to fully experience activities like salt pan sleep-outs, Nxai Pan day trips, and cultural walks with San communities. Extended stays allow for deeper exploration of this vast landscape.
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What makes Makgadikgadi Pans unique compared to other safari destinations?
These pans are remnants of an ancient super-lake larger than Switzerland, creating one of the world's largest salt flat complexes. The area hosts Africa's second-largest animal migration covering 500 kilometers between the Okavango Delta and the pans.
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What activities are available beyond traditional game drives?
Unique experiences include quad biking across salt flats, cultural walks with San communities showcasing ancient survival techniques, interactions with habituated meerkats, and seasonal motorized boat safaris on the Boteti River.
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What is the climate like in the Makgadikgadi Pans?
The desert climate features hot days and cool nights with distinct wet (November–March) and dry (April–October) seasons. June–August offers pleasant 27°C days but chilly mornings, while October–November can reach sweltering 36°C before the rains.
Popular Trips to the Makgadikgadi
The tours below showcase just some of what is possible. Use these itineraries as starting points, or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch, and let our expert team help craft the perfect itinerary for you.
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