Makgadikgadi Salt Pans: Botswana’s Otherworldly Wilderness

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans - unworldly splendour

In the heart of Botswana’s vast Kalahari region lies one of Africa’s most hauntingly beautiful landscapes — the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Stretching out in shimmering white sheets beneath an endless sky, these ancient salt flats are the remnants of a massive prehistoric lake that once covered much of the country.

The result? A surreal, seemingly infinite expanse of cracked earth and silence — a place so vast and empty that it feels like another planet. But despite its starkness, the Makgadikgadi is full of life, history, and unexpected adventure.

A Land of Contrasts and Extremes

For much of the year, the pans are dry and windswept — vast open plains that reflect the sun and offer some of the most dramatic sunsets in Africa. Then, when the rains come (typically between November and April), the landscape is transformed. Seasonal floodwaters turn the pans into shallow lakes, drawing thousands of animals and birds to the region.

Key seasonal highlights include:

• Zebra and wildebeest migrations, among the largest in southern Africa

• Huge flocks of flamingos, gathering to breed in the shallow waters

• Desert-adapted animals like springbok, oryx, and the elusive brown hyena

• Meerkat colonies, charming and charismatic, often habituated to human presence

Flamingoes of the Makgadikgadi

Beyond Wildlife: A Deeper Connection

What makes the Makgadikgadi truly special isn’t just the wildlife — it’s the sense of stillness, scale, and solitude. The pans invite you to slow down and take in the silence, broken only by the crunch of your boots or the distant call of a bird.

Visitors can also experience:

• Quad biking across the salt flats during the dry season — a thrilling way to explore the openness

• Bush walks with local San guides, offering insights into one of the world’s oldest cultures

• Stargazing, where crystal-clear skies reveal the Milky Way in all its glory

Try quad biking as well as other experiences

Where to Stay

The region offers a mix of accommodation options, from rustic camps to high-end lodges. Among the most well-known is Jack’s Camp, a stylish and historically rich camp located on the edge of the pans. While luxurious, its real charm lies in its unique setting and access to the remote, untouched corners of this wild landscape.

Jacks Camp, perhaps the most iconic camp of all

When to Visit

• Dry Season (May to October): Ideal for quad biking, walking safaris, and photography. The pans are dry, reflective, and surreal.

• Wet Season (November to April): The landscape comes alive with greenery, migrations, and birdlife — a completely different, lush experience.

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Final Thoughts

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are not your typical safari stop. They’re a place for reflection, for wonder, and for connecting with a side of Africa that feels timeless and untouched. Whether you’re exploring on foot, riding across the pans at sunset, or simply gazing out at the endless horizon, Makgadikgadi offers a wilderness experience unlike any other.