makgadikgadi pans
Situated directly between Maun and Francistown. Makgadikgadi Pans are the remains of an ancient lake, now glistening with salt as a result of the evaporation of the water. Wildlife can be seen congregating along the river shortly after the rains have arrived, and in the dry season wildlife goes in search of the shallow pools of water that remain.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is part of the Kalahari basin and has some of the largest saltpans in the world. Although the land may look uninhabitable, during the wet summer months, big, migrating herds of Burchell’s Zebra and blue wildebeest roam the park. Visitors can also see an abundance of giraffes, leopards and lions. Springbok and oryx are also particularly well adapted to the dry habitats of the pans, and therefore can often be spotted within the park. Makgadikgadi has very seasonal wildlife viewing, with the best sightings in the rainy summer months between October and March. However, the dry season can be equally thrilling as visitors are able to actually drive over the open pans, making wildlife viewing even easier!
