Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
Experience the Harmony of Wild and Calm
About Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans
Botswana is renowned for its captivating safari activities, making it an essential addition to any travel itinerary. The Makgadikgadi region, once a massive lake, has transformed into an expansive salt pan that supports only a few resilient desert species and elusive brown hyenas. However, during the rainy season, this arid landscape undergoes a remarkable transformation, with vibrant green grasses emerging and the pans filling with water, offering a glimpse into its former glory as a great lake. This period also heralds the return of the zebra and wildebeest migration, a breathtaking spectacle that rivals the Great Migration of East Africa. While flamingos may appear during this time, their unpredictable movements and brief stays add an element of surprise. Access to the pans can be challenging during the rainy season, yet this time remains a delightful experience. Accommodation options are limited to a select few luxury camps, with the renowned Jack's Camp standing out for its exceptional offerings. More affordable yet equally rewarding choices include Camp Kalahari and Nxai Pan Camp, where guests can immerse themselves in the region's unique atmosphere. Depending on the season, these camps may also offer the extraordinary experience of sleeping out on the pans, allowing visitors to connect intimately with the landscape.
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Things to do​
This location serves as a perfect destination for a variety of activities during the dry season, such as quad biking, overnight stays in the pans, and excursions to Kubu Island, which can only be reached by quad bike. Visitors can also partake in guided walks and engage with the San Bushmen, accompanied by knowledgeable guides who are available for hire for a day or longer, tailored to your interests. Additionally, the meerkats offer a delightful experience, as their semi-habituated colony can be visited in the mornings from various camps. Witnessing the sunrise alongside them as they start their day is truly enchanting, and their playful behavior adds a cheerful touch to your morning before you continue with your day's adventures.
Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari is nestled among the acacias and mokolwane palms on Brown Hyaena Island, located at the periphery of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park. This unique setting means that guests are enveloped by the arid savannah and the semi-desert landscape of the Kalahari. The salt-encrusted, sun-baked pans are devoid of vegetation due to the harsh conditions, yet they are surrounded by vibrant grasslands and a striking array of towering baobab trees. The experience here is truly unparalleled.
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Wildlife
Brown Hyaena Island, the picturesque palm-studded locale that serves as the base for Camp Kalahari, derives its name from the elusive brown hyaena. This species, known for its shy demeanor yet exceptional foraging and scavenging skills, ranks as the third-rarest large carnivore in Africa, making sightings of it a rare treat on the continent. However, the wildlife spectacle in the Makgadikgadi extends far beyond just the hyaena; visitors can also spot bat-eared foxes, aardvarks, and aardwolves darting across the salt flats, while elephants traverse the area on their migratory paths—our swimming pool provides a refreshing respite along the way. The region is also home to impressive herds of zebra and wildebeest, and where these grazers roam, predators like cheetahs and lions are often lurking nearby, ready to pursue. Adding to the charm of a safari at Camp Kalahari are our playful, habituated meerkats, who never fail to entertain and delight guests.
Jack's Camp
Opulent Jack's Camp is located on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari, serving as a refreshing retreat in a striking yet challenging landscape. Established in the mid-1960s, it stands as the last traditional African safari camp in Botswana, where Persian rugs, crisp cotton linens, and mahogany furnishings come together to evoke a unique colonial ambiance. Jack's Camp offers a diverse array of activities that seamlessly integrate elements of culture, history, archaeology, and geology. Guests can engage with a family of meerkats, embark on guided interpretative walks with Bushmen, and explore Chapman's Baobab, one of Africa's oldest and largest trees. Additionally, opportunities for bird watching and game viewing abound, along with the option of exhilarating night game drives. During the dry season, guests can enjoy quad biking across the salt pans and sleeping under the stars, while the wet season presents the chance to witness the breathtaking migration of zebras and wildebeests.
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