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Makgadikgadi Safari Trips & Tours
Makgadikgadi
The Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana is essentially waterless and arid for much of the year, yet it remains one of the most beautiful, haunting and intriguing landscapes in Africa. Part of the Kalahari Basin, the milky white pan covers an area of 12 000 square kilometers—one of the largest salt pans in the world. With shimmering horizons that bend to infinity, this place is the definition of isolation. During years of good rain, the two largest pans—Sowa and Ntwetwe—flood and attract wildlife such as zebra and wildebeest on the grassy plains. Thousands of flamingos colour the pale white at Sowa and Nata Sanctuary—a natural wonder that people come from all over to see.
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The eerie, salt-cracked pans and the endless horizons of the Makgadikgadi Pans are well worth a visit on their own. But for a landscape that is seemingly so empty, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied – and some of them might not be quite what you expected! We’re talking interactions with the curious meerkats that call the pans home, quad bike safaris to Kubu Island, a sacred site in ancient folklore, fly camping under a star-spangled sky, fire dances and hunting lessons with the San people, and the chance to star gaze at one of the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere. Then, in November, the rain begins to fall and it’s all change. The pans fill with water, attracting clouds of pink flamingos and splendid migrant birds, whilst zebra, springbok and wildebeest all gather to drink, followed closely by predators. This is undoubtedly the best time of year for game drives (always keep your eyes peeled for brown hyena too), as well as the chance to see the herds of Botswana’s zebra migration as they congregate on the pans.
Wet Season
Temperatures are high and relatively humid, with rainfall at its peak for this desert environment.
There is plenty of water and lush green grass attracting wildlife and their predators from far and wide.
Second largest migration in Africa, with zebra and wildebeest moving into the region.
The treetops are alive with the sounds of migratory birds in breeding plumage.
Witness a sea of pink on Sowa Pan, home to tens of thousands of Greater flamingo during this time of the year.
The Pan's are waterlogged during this time of year making certain activities like quad biking impossible.
Wet Season
Temperatures are hot with relatively high humidity, rainfall is at its peak for this desert environment.
Wildlife viewing is at its best with lush green vegetation, plenty of water and predators and prey in close proximity.
Experience the spectacle of Africa's second largest migration of zebra and wildebeest.
An ideal time for birders with migratory species present and in their breeding plumage.
The Pan's become waterlogged over this period, making quad biking and overnight fly camping impossible.
Wet Season
There is low humidity with high temperatures, less rainfall is experienced usually in the form of sporadic showers.
Animal densities are at an all-time high with predators and prey enjoying a time of plenty with lush green grass and waterholes full.
Zebra and wildebeest have gathered in the region, following the second largest migration in Africa.
Bonding with the habituated meerkats of Jack's Camp is a real highlight of any trip into the area.
The Pan's are not accessible during this time of year making certain activities like quad biking and fly camping impossible.
Wet Season
Temperatures are still high in April, with rain taking the form of irregular afternoon showers.
Over the course of this month animals begin to migrate out of the area as water starts to dry up and the lush grasses die back.
Walks led by local San provide an incredible insight into survival in this harsh environment.
A great time of year to visit the ancient chapman's Baobab, an incredible tree steeped in history.
In this month the Pan's may still be too wet for quad biking and fly camping activities.
Dry Season
May is a transition month, temperatures begin to drop from the extremes and rain is almost nonexistent.
By the end of the month, water's have dried up leading to a mass exodus of wildlife, only the most hardy species remain.
Enjoy an incredible landscape of extreme beauty and extreme hardship in this month.
There is no better way to meet this region than on a San-guided walk, offering insight into their ancient culture and survival in this environment.
Quad biking and fly camping are just a couple of the must do activities at this time of year.
Clear winter skies make for picture perfect sunrises and sunsets.
Dry Season
Temperatures are comfortable but have dropped considerably at night, with morning frost on occasion, rainfall dry's up.
Wildlife has now spread out over a large area with only the unique species of the desert remaining.
A breathtaking landscape awaits over this period, showcasing the contrasts of extreme beauty and hardship.
San-guided walks provide a special look at survival in this harsh environment.
Take advantage of ideal quad biking and fly camping conditions in this month.
Enjoy the romance of desert sunsets and sunrises during this time of year.
Dry Season
Nights are cold with occasional frost, day temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is nonexistent.
Big game has migrated out of the region, allowing the unique desert species to take centre stage, such as brown hyena, aardvark and the very habituated meerkats of Jack's Camp.
Incredible harsh landscapes provide interesting photographic composition at this time of the year.
Meet the habituated meerkats of Jack's Camp, an unmissable experience in this region.
Explore the incredible archeological sites present in the region with ancient stone tools and other remnants of our history.
The night sky is at its most impressive, with shooting stars and the Milky Way taking centre stage.
Dry Season
The coldest night temperatures have passed, with the daylight hours warming considerably, rain is still very unlikely.
Africa's larger species have migrated out of the region, leaving the unique desert species as the wildlife highlight in this month.
Quad biking and fly camping are just a couple of the must do activities at this time of year.
San led walks offer insights into this ancient culture and survival in this desert environment.
Relax with an ice cold beverage, as the sunsets on this magical place.
The night sky is at its most impressive, with shooting stars and the Milky Way taking centre stage.
Dry Season
Temperatures start to climb, with rain being unlikely in this month.
During this month the unique desert species like brown hyena, aardvark and the habituated meerkat of Jack's Camp, provide interesting wildlife viewing.
Fly camping in the desolate salt pans looking up at a blanket of twinkling stars is a not to be missed experience.
Visit the ancient Chapman's Baobab, an immense tree thought to be thousands of years old.
Enjoy the romance of a picture perfect sunrise or sunset at this time of year.
Dry Season
Temperatures reach their peak with humidity starting to climb toward the end of the month, it is unlikely that the rains will fall in October over the Makgadikgadi region.
Wildlife is experiencing its most dire month with the unique desert species the only wildlife present until the rains break.
Photography is particularly good in this month, with clear blue skies and an extreme landscape.
An early morning bushman walk, provides insight into an ancient way of life and surviving in this harsh environment.
The habituated meerkats of Jack's Camp, are a highlight of any trip into this region.
Explore the incredible archeological sites present in the region with ancient stone tools and other remnants of our history.
Wet Season
Temperatures are hot and relatively humid with the first rains of the year falling in the form of late afternoon showers.
This can be difficult to predict as weather can come early or late depending on the year.
Large mammals slowly start to make their way back into the area, bringing a host of predators with them.
Visit the ancient Chapman's Baobab, an immense tree thought to be thousands of years old.
Known for interesting cloud formations and spectacular electrical storms, illuminate the evening sky.
Wet Season
Temperatures are hot and relatively humid with rain falling in the form of late afternoon showers.
There is plenty of water and lush green grass attracting herbivores and their predators from far and wide.
Migratory birds have returned in breeding plumage, displays for mates are frequent and flamboyant.
The smaller insectivores of the region are particularly active during this period with the habituated meerkats of Jack's Camp always a highlight of any stay.
Known for interesting cloud formations and spectacular electrical storms, illuminate the evening sky.
