Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Botswana.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is where one of Africa’s most important migrations occurs, as herds of Burchell’s zebra and wildebeest move seasonally through the park. You might also see gemsbok, eland and red hartebeest following the migration. Lion is the most common big cat, while leopard is present but difficult to see in the riverine forests and cheetah is sometimes seen out near the pans. Spotted and brown hyena are present, and elephant is always possible along the dry riverbed of the Boteti.

ElephantOccasional

GiraffeCommon

HippoRare

BuffaloNone

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

HyenaOccasional

Wild DogVery Rare

Wildlife Highlights

Springbok and gemsbok are well-adapted to the arid pans, and they’re often spotted here. There are brown hyena dens near the northern end of the pans, and you can sometimes see them at dusk or very early in the morning. Aardvark is also possible after dark near the pans. Lion can be seen across the park. The zebra migration is one of Africa’s most impressive.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Makgadikgadi Pans has very seasonal wildlife viewing. The actual pans attract wildlife in the wet summer months from December to about May. However, most of the park and the lodges are concentrated around the Boteti River area, which is best for wildlife viewing in the drier months from June to December.