Makgadikgadi Pans: Salt, Zebras and Starry Skies
Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana offer vast salt flats, zebra migration, habituated meerkats and nights under the stars. When to visit.
Makgadikgadi is one of Africa's great empty places. White salt pans stretch to the horizon, and the silence is almost physical. In the green season, zebras and wildebeest arrive in large numbers, and meerkats entertain visitors year-round.
Quick facts
- Where: Northern Botswana, south of the Okavango Delta.
- Best time: The green season, roughly November to April, for the zebra migration. The dry season for stark landscapes and meerkats.
- Ideal stay: Two to three nights.
- Pairs well with: The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Savuti and Central Kalahari.
What are the Makgadikgadi Pans?
They are a group of ancient salt flats, remnants of a vast lake that dried up long ago. In the dry season they are bare and white. After rains they can host shallow water and birdlife.
What is the zebra migration?
Large numbers of zebras move across the region in the green season, in search of fresh grazing. It is one of Africa's quieter, lesser-known migrations, and predators follow.
What are the highlights?
- Meerkat encounters, when habituated colonies treat visitors as part of the landscape. See Meerkat Mornings in the Kalahari.
- Quad biking across the pans, with a guide.
- Sleeping out under the stars on a camp bed.
- Baobab trees and wide horizons.
When should you go?
Choose the green season for wildlife and birds, or the dry season for stark beauty. Both have their charm. See Africa in the Green Season.
How do you get there?
Most travellers fly in by light aircraft or drive from the Delta.
Plan your Botswana journey
We mix desert, delta and river for a journey of contrasts. Speak to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Makgadikgadi worth visiting?
Yes, for its unique landscapes and special wildlife encounters.
Can I see zebras year-round?
The big herds arrive in the green season.
Is quad biking safe?
Yes, with a guide and safety instruction.
Are meerkat encounters guaranteed?
Habituated colonies make them likely, though not certain.
How hot does it get?
Days can be hot, and nights cool. Layers help.
Makgadikgadi is one of Africa's great empty places. White salt pans stretch to the horizon, and the silence is almost physical. In the green season, zebras and wildebeest arrive in large numbers, and meerkats entertain visitors year-round.
Quick facts
- Where: Northern Botswana, south of the Okavango Delta.
- Best time: The green season, roughly November to April, for the zebra migration. The dry season for stark landscapes and meerkats.
- Ideal stay: Two to three nights.
- Pairs well with: The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Savuti and Central Kalahari.
What are the Makgadikgadi Pans?
They are a group of ancient salt flats, remnants of a vast lake that dried up long ago. In the dry season they are bare and white. After rains they can host shallow water and birdlife.
What is the zebra migration?
Large numbers of zebras move across the region in the green season, in search of fresh grazing. It is one of Africa's quieter, lesser-known migrations, and predators follow.
What are the highlights?
- Meerkat encounters, when habituated colonies treat visitors as part of the landscape. See Meerkat Mornings in the Kalahari.
- Quad biking across the pans, with a guide.
- Sleeping out under the stars on a camp bed.
- Baobab trees and wide horizons.
When should you go?
Choose the green season for wildlife and birds, or the dry season for stark beauty. Both have their charm. See Africa in the Green Season.
How do you get there?
Most travellers fly in by light aircraft or drive from the Delta.
Plan your Botswana journey
We mix desert, delta and river for a journey of contrasts. Speak to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Makgadikgadi worth visiting?
Yes, for its unique landscapes and special wildlife encounters.
Can I see zebras year-round?
The big herds arrive in the green season.
Is quad biking safe?
Yes, with a guide and safety instruction.
Are meerkat encounters guaranteed?
Habituated colonies make them likely, though not certain.
How hot does it get?
Days can be hot, and nights cool. Layers help.
YOUR NEXT JOURNEY
YOUR NEXT JOURNEY
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