Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park

West of Gweta, the tar road to Maun divides through Makgadikgadi and Nxai National Park. Since their matching natures concerning wildlife migrations, Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve and Nxai Pan National Park were set up concurrently in the early 1970s, in the hope of shielding the whole ecosystem.

In December of 1992 the site of the Nxai Pan National Park was moved south to the major Gweta/Maun road, so it connects the Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve, which was renamed “The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park” to make one vast area casing just under 7,500km2. The park puts together Ntwetwe Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans, Nxai Pan, Baines’ Baobabs and Kudiakam Pan. Guests to either section are supposed to pay park and camping fees at either the Xhumaga or Nxai Pan Game scout camp.

Four wheel drive is suggested the whole time this area, as even during the dry season the pan surface can be double-crossing with the hidden water table lurking regularly just inches below the hard-baked surface. The moment you are on the pans, the happiness of taking you across the flat surface in memorable.

Whereas there are no permanent lodges or hotels in the park, there are numerous chosen campsites. This reduces the access to all but the entirely equipped self-drive visitor, or those on tailor-made safaris.