These formations, consisting of the Ntwetwe Pan, the Sua Pan, and the adjacent pans, cover over 16,000 km², making them the largest salt pans in the world, located southeast of the Okavango Delta. They form the bed of the once immense Lake Makgadikgadi, which evaporated many millennia ago. Mostly dry, salty, and muddy almost all year round, and then, seasonally, covered with water and grass, they provide a refuge for birds and other animals in this arid part of Botswana.
How about a trip to the Makgadikgadi Pans?
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Archaeological excavations in the Makgadikgadi Pans have revealed the presence of prehistoric humans through abundant finds of stone tools; some of these tools have been dated early enough to indicate their origin predating the era of Homo sapiens.
The pans are a saline desert, with the only plant life being a thin layer of blue-green algae. However, the edges of the pans are salt marshes, which further out are surrounded by grassland and then a bushy savannah. The distinctive baobab trees found in this area serve as local landmarks. One of them, named after James Chapman, served as an unofficial post office for explorers in the 19th century.
During the harsh dry season, when strong, hot winds and only salt water prevail, very little wildlife can exist here. But after the rains, the pans become an important habitat for migratory animals, including wildebeests and one of the largest zebra populations in Africa, as well as the large predators that prey upon them.
A very special colony resides here: the meerkats, also known as suricates, which live wild but are accustomed to humans. Therefore, especially for families, visiting this region is rewarding, which can also be combined with a night spent in the salt pans under the open sky.
Highlights of Makgadikgadi Pans:
Largest salt pans in the world
Endless expanse, beyond space, time, and noise
Habitat of the rare Brown Hyena
Home to a colony of meerkats accustomed to humans
Excellent area for diverse activities
Ideal for quad biking or horseback riding – even for inexperienced riders
Breath-taking location for camping without tents under an endless starry sky
Insights into the traditions and rituals of the San people are possible
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Best Time to Visit the Makgadikgadi Pans
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Kubu Island, located southwest of the Sua Pan, is a granite formation with historical settlement remnants, rising about 20 meters above the vast, open plain for approximately 1 kilometre. It has been declared a national monument by the Botswana government. Kubu Island is particularly mentioned here for self-drivers, as it offers the opportunity to explore the unusual area on your own with the campground there (though without water connections).
