krrazie
Google
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park presents one of the most visually and ecologically fascinating landscapes in Africa, and its map captures this uniqueness in bold strokes of emptiness punctuated by surprising lifelines. Located in northeastern Botswana, the park encompasses a portion of the greater Makgadikgadi salt pans—among the largest in the world. While the wider Makgadikgadi region includes both protected and unprotected areas, the National Park section specifically lies to the west of the pans, bordered in part by the Boteti River.
At first glance, the map reveals vast open spaces—much of it appearing as a blank canvas. This isn’t an error but a reflection of reality: these are ancient salt pans, remnants of a vast prehistoric lake. The pans dominate the eastern portion of the region, and within the National Park boundary, the map shows the Western edge of the Sua Pan and parts of the Ntwetwe Pan, with their flat, white expanses often resembling a moonscape on satellite imagery.
One of the most important geographical features on the map is the Boteti River, flowing along the park’s western boundary. This river is seasonal, but when in flow, it becomes the heartbeat of the park. The map marks its winding course, with associated lagoons and pools attracting herds of zebra, wildebeest, and antelope, especially in the dry season when animals migrate here from the salt flats. Points like Meno a Kwena, Khumaga Camp, and Tiaan’s Camp (just outside the official park boundary) are often highlighted as viewing bases along the river.
Roads on the map are sparse and rough, emphasizing the park’s wild nature. A few 4x4 tracks run from the Khumaga Gate in the west to other entry points like Phuduhudu Gate to the south. These are typically sand or salt-crusted tracks, with the main internal loop near the Boteti often being the only passable route during the rainy season. The dry pans, although seemingly empty, can become traps for the unwary driver after rain—and the map often includes advisory notations about seasonal access and vehicle requirements.
The map also marks designated wildlife-viewing areas near the river and some fossilized islands in the pans, such as Njuca Hills and Kubu Island (although the latter technically lies outside the park in a community-managed zone, it’s often included in broader Makgadikgadi maps due to its cultural and scenic significance).
Key features included on a quality map of the park would be:
Camping areas (e.g., Khumaga Camp inside the park and community camps just outside)
Vehicle routes and 4x4 trails
Seasonal waterholes
Wildlife migration corridors
Gates and park boundaries
Fauna is not specifically marked on the map, but informed travelers know that the Makgadikgadi zebra migration, one of Africa’s largest and least-known, travels seasonally between the pans and the river—driven by rainfall and grass growth. During the rainy season (November–April), the pans become shallow lakes, attracting thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds. The map’s elevation and water flow indicators can help pinpoint these transformation zones.
In conclusion, the map of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a guide to extremes—dry vs. wet, silence vs. seasonal abundance, and desolation vs. sudden, explosive life. It’s a map not of dense infrastructure or tourist stops, but of time, space, and nature’s slow drama, unfolding across an ancient salt-encrusted desert. It’s a place where the journey is as significant as the destination—and the map reflects just that.
