Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

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.

After a few long days of game viewing driving in the Khwai/Moremi areas we decided on some quiet days here, we’ll pass on heading to the salt pans. We didn't expect particularly good game viewing along the Bo-teti river but we'd just do that. We entered one afternoon around 2pm, after dropping some tables and chairs at our SKL Khumaga campsite we set off along the river bank. And what an afternoon. A long drought for Botswana left the Boteti dry apart from a few remaining waterholes along the river. Everything was either heading to or from water. Thousands of zebra, as many wildebeest, impala, kudu and giraffe. And elephants. Down on the river bed more than 200 spread over a 15km drive. And when on the banks curving in the sand track there seemed an elephant behind every bush either coming or going to the river. The following morning, same animals but only 10% of the volume of the previous afternoon and few ele-phant. But again by 2.30 pm literally a few thousand animals covering the dry riverbed, unbelievable.

We stayed at a near by Safari camp and visited here multiple times on our stay. It is very dry and dusty here, and the rivers are very low but it has its own beauty. Since this is a national park, you can’t go off the main roads to follow animals like in a private reserve. You also can’t go in after 6pm so there are no night game drives. You can camp in this park and there are many self-drive tourist in here. It’s very bumpy so you must be able to handle the jostling and bouncing. We saw many male elephants who weee often aggressive. We didn’t see any female elephants or babies. We saw hippos, giraffes, ostrich, jackals, monitor lizards, crocodiles, vervet monkeys, baboons, many hoofed animals, many birds, etc. We did not see any cats in this area. If you visit this area, mix it with a trip to Okavanga Delta or Chobe.

This is a fabulous place to visit, which we did via a guided sunset safari tour. The pan is normally flat and salty, however due to previous rains it was transformed into an inland sea, hundreds of square kilometres of 1 to 1.5M deep waters, which is home to masses of pelicans and flamingos. Whilst out on the trip we also saw blue wildebeest, boab trees and many types of bird. A must see location 👍

An amazing place....the vastness of the salt pan & the history behind it ...its unbelievable that it was once a lake! The odd animal crossing this dry pan.

Experience Africa at it's best, the salt pans are magical and the best driving experience you can have, the Makgadikgadi nature reserve is the perfect place to see an abundance of wildlife! Make sure you have enough fuel and a road map, the tourist map books are awesome!

View of the salt pans. Camping is pre booked for any of the baobab baines.

While visiting Botswana we went to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Nata. These massive salt pans are home to thousands of flamingo's and pelicans. Salt pans are also a great opportunity to play with perspective and take silly photos 😂👍