Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Makgadikgadi Pans Overview

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is located in northeastern Botswana, near the border with Zimbabwe, and is part of one of the world’s largest salt flats, the Makgadikgadi Pan. The park covers an area of approximately 1,900 square miles (4,900 square kilometers), and its unique, otherworldly landscapes make it one of the most fascinating national parks in Africa. The park is bordered by the Ntwetwe Pan and Sowa Pan, two of the largest salt pans within the greater Makgadikgadi complex.

The landscape of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is defined by vast, flat, and starkly white salt pans, which were once part of a prehistoric super lake that dried up thousands of years ago. During the dry season, the pans resemble a desert, with the cracked, salty surface stretching out endlessly under a vast sky. However, the park undergoes a dramatic transformation during the rainy season, when the pans become shallow, ephemeral lakes. This influx of water brings life to the region, attracting large herds of animals and migratory birds.

The vegetation of the park is sparse and hardy, adapted to the arid conditions of the dry season. Grasslands and savannahs dominate the surrounding areas, with pockets of shrubs and acacia trees found near the edges of the pans. During the wet season, the temporary lakes provide fresh grazing areas, drawing large herds of zebras, wildebeest, and springbok, which in turn attract predators like lions and hyenas.

One of the park’s most notable events is the zebra migration, one of the largest in southern Africa. In addition to terrestrial wildlife, the rainy season also brings a spectacular array of birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans that gather in the pans. The dynamic shifts between wet and dry seasons make Makgadikgadi Pans National Park a captivating destination for nature enthusiasts.

Park Map

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Predator Species

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is home to a range of adaptable predators that thrive in the park’s arid and seasonally wet environments, relying on diverse hunting strategies.

Lions in the park are well-adapted to its harsh environment, often covering large distances in search of prey like zebras and wildebeests in the dry season.

Leopards are elusive and solitary, using stealth to ambush prey like impalas and small mammals, often retreating to trees to avoid scavengers.

Cheetahs are built for speed, specializing in hunting springbok and other smaller herbivores across the park’s open plains and dry grasslands.

Spotted hyenas are powerful scavengers and skilled hunters, living in clans and using their strong jaws to break down bones and carcasses.

Brown hyenas are nocturnal scavengers, feeding on carrion and occasionally hunting small mammals, birds, and reptiles in the park’s arid landscapes.

Black-backed jackals are opportunistic predators and scavengers, often seen hunting small mammals and birds or scavenging the kills of larger predators.

Bat-eared foxes are small, social predators with large ears, helping them detect insects and small mammals, which make up the bulk of their diet.

Honey badgers are fearless and tough, known for hunting small mammals, birds, and insects, while also raiding beehives for honey in the park’s dry regions.

Servals are medium-sized, long-legged cats that specialize in hunting rodents and birds in the park’s grasslands and near wetland areas.

African wildcats are small nocturnal predators, preying primarily on rodents, birds, and small reptiles, often seen foraging in the park’s savannahs.

Popular Species

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, particularly during the wet season, when vast herds of herbivores migrate across the pans.

Zebras form large migratory herds, moving across the park in search of grazing areas during the wet season, providing a striking spectacle during the annual migration.

Wildebeest are migratory grazers that follow seasonal rainfall, moving in large herds and playing a critical role in maintaining the park’s grassland ecosystem.

Springbok are graceful antelopes known for their impressive leaps, called pronking, often seen grazing in open plains, especially during the wet season.

Elephants are the largest land mammals in the park, known for their migratory behavior and their role in shaping the landscape by uprooting trees and shrubs.

Giraffes are tall, graceful browsers that feed on acacia leaves, adding an iconic presence to the park’s savannahs and tree-dotted landscapes.

Eland are the largest antelope species in the park, moving in herds and browsing on grasses and shrubs, often seen in the park’s more vegetated areas.

Oryx (gemsbok) are striking antelopes with long, straight horns and black-and-white facial markings, perfectly adapted to the arid conditions of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Hippos are semi-aquatic mammals found in the park’s rivers and waterholes, spending most of their day submerged in water and grazing at night.

Warthogs are tough and stout, often seen foraging on their knees in open grasslands, digging up roots and tubers with their strong snouts.

Meerkats are social, highly vigilant mammals that live in colonies, often seen standing on their hind legs, keeping a lookout for predators while foraging for insects.

Bird Species

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a prime birdwatching destination, particularly during the wet season when migratory and resident bird species gather in large numbers.

Flamingos are one of the park’s most iconic bird species, arriving in large flocks during the wet season to feed on algae in the shallow waters of the pans.

Pelicans are large water birds often seen fishing in the park’s shallow waters during the wet season, using their long beaks to scoop up fish.

Greater kestrels are small but powerful raptors that hunt insects, small mammals, and birds in the open savannahs, often seen hovering over the grasslands.

Secretary birds are tall, long-legged raptors known for their snake-hunting abilities, often seen striding across the park’s savannahs in search of prey.

Ostriches are the world’s largest flightless birds, roaming the park’s plains in small groups and feeding on seeds, grasses, and small animals.

Grey crowned cranes are elegant birds with a striking golden crown of feathers, often seen foraging in wetlands and grasslands during the rainy season.

African fish eagles are powerful raptors seen near water sources, where they hunt for fish and small birds, often identified by their distinct call.

Lappet-faced vultures are large, strong scavengers, often seen soaring above the park, using their keen eyesight to locate carcasses and their powerful beaks to tear into them.

Marabou storks are large scavenging birds that gather near water sources, using their strong beaks to feed on carrion and small animals.

Pied kingfishers are striking black-and-white birds, often seen hovering over water before diving to catch fish in the park’s rivers and wetlands.

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Engaging Makgadikgadi Pans

Game Drives

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park offers exceptional game drives, especially during the wet season when large herds of zebras and wildebeest migrate through the area.

Visitors can expect to encounter an array of wildlife, including giraffes, lions, and hyenas, roaming across the open plains. During a game drive, the vast salt pans and shimmering horizons create a unique backdrop, making the experience distinct from traditional safari parks.

The contrast between the dry, cracked pans in the dry season and the lush, animal-filled landscape after the rains offers two dramatically different game drive experiences.

Quad Biking

One of the most exhilarating ways to explore the Makgadikgadi salt pans is by quad biking. This adventure allows visitors to cover large distances across the vast, lunar-like landscape of the pans.

Visitors can expect an adrenaline-filled ride, zipping across the expansive flats while feeling completely isolated in the serene, open desert. This activity is often done in the dry season when the pans are firm and accessible, providing an unforgettable sense of freedom and adventure.

Meerkat Encounters

Makgadikgadi is known for its friendly meerkat colonies, and visitors can experience close-up encounters with these charismatic animals. Watching meerkats emerge from their burrows at sunrise, standing sentinel on their hind legs, is a highlight of any trip.

Visitors often get the chance to sit among the meerkats as they go about their daily routines, providing a rare opportunity to observe their fascinating behavior up close. These encounters are highly photogenic and offer a unique wildlife experience.

Walking Safaris

Walking safaris in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park provide a more intimate way to connect with the landscape and wildlife. Accompanied by expert guides, visitors can explore the park on foot, learning about the delicate ecosystems, plant life, and smaller creatures that are often overlooked on traditional safaris.

The open expanses and solitude of the pans create a peaceful atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy the quiet beauty of the desert while keeping an eye out for wildlife. Walking safaris offer a slower, more reflective experience, focusing on the details of the environment and the thrill of encountering animals on foot.

Related National Parks

Sources

Botswana Tourism Organization, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/explore/makgadikgadi-pans-game-reserve, retrieved August 2024.
Info Botswana, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, https://www.info-botswana.com/activities-and-places-of-interest/makgadikgadi-nxai-pans/makgadikgadi-pans-national-park, retrieved August 2024.
Siyabona Africa, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, https://www.botswana.co.za/africa_makgadikgadi.html, retrieved August 2024.
Britannica, Makgadikgadi, https://www.britannica.com/place/Makgadikgadi, retrieved August 2024.

Makgadikgadi Pans Overview

Park Map