Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
User Reviews (30)
Botswana Parks
CH
Email Georg Treptow | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beautfiful...though there is plenty of wildlife, it does not compare to the chobe nat park for example. The baobabs steal the show here anyway. Amazing trees...
20-35 years of age
Amazing scenery, feeling of complete isolation.
Large variety of animals and limited amenities.
It was winter so that may have impacted the "beauty" a little but getting to see the nesting vulture community was awesome. The way out was very bumpy but it's the bush of Africa and I wouldn't expect, nor want, anything else.
US
Email Linda Hoernke | 50-65 years of age
A huge salt pan...did not view a lot of wildlife but the scenery went on forever...so beautiful.
One of the most magical places on earth
We drove into Makgadikgadi NP, in a hired 4x4, from the south (from Lethakane) on a spur of the moment decision, we had an extra two days to get to Maun and thus decided to take the detour. Probably one of the best decision ever made. After a small town (I think it's called Mmatshumo) the road gradually gets narrower and after reaching the salt plains it now and then was completely gone. The salt plains give a tremendous feeling of freedom, but don't wander of too far from the tracks, because your vehicle will get stuck if you crack the crust of the salt and you'll probably damage the landscape.
We camped at the campsite at Kubu Island, a rocky outcrop just east of the central grassy peninsula. Although the "island" is rather small, it's full of Baobabs, a rather strange sight if the surrounding area is only salt plains and grassland. Watching the sun set from the top of the island was beautiful, the moment the last part of the sun sinks behind the horizon, absolute darkness engulfs the plains. During the five minutes walk back to our tent we lost our way in the darkness, ending up at someone else's camping spot.
If you've got the choice, try to make it to Kubu Island on a night, or at least evening, without a moon. The night skies were some of the best of seen in Africa.
US
Email Jason | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Depends on when you go.
IS
Email Inga | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
While I'm not a birder, it's a great place to see a lot of birds. The harshness of the land there and high salinity of the water mean that not that many animals can live there. Still there are wildebeests around and zebras.
US
Email Ross | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Let me qualify this review -- I went to the pans in the winter (July) which is not the height of its wildlife season. If you can get there in the African summer when the rains are falling and animals are bearing their young and the birds are migrating, I think it would be a very different experience.
PT
Email MIGUEL | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nice detour/side-visit between Chobe and Okavango. Not as great as those but still good for a sunset drive into the pans. May be different (much better) in low (water) season.
Safari Tours to Makgadikgadi Pans NP
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![10-Day Extraordinary Expedition]()
10-Day Extraordinary Expedition
$5,495 to $9,568 pp (USD)
Botswana & Zimbabwe: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Maun (Start), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Okavango Delta, Savuti (Chobe NP), Chobe NP, Victoria Falls (End)
Safari Online
5.0/5 – 130 Reviews
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![10-Day Botswana Wildlife & Birdwatching]()
10-Day Botswana Wildlife & Birdwatching
$18,927 to $27,200 pp (USD)
Botswana: Private tourLuxury+Tented Camp & Tented Bush Camp
You Visit: Maun (Start), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Okavango Delta, Maun Airport (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 172 Reviews
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![9-Day The Ultimate Fly-in Botswana Honeymoon]()
9-Day The Ultimate Fly-in Botswana Honeymoon
$25,994 to $28,593 pp (USD)
Botswana: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Maun (Start), Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Khwai Concession (Okavango Delta), Okavango Delta, Maun (End)
Viatu
5.0/5 – 64 Reviews
