Botswana      •       Okavango Delta      •      Greater Chobe & Linyati     •     Kalahari      •      Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans

The grasslands of the Kalahari together with the lunar expanse of the Makgadikgadi salt pans complete Hills of Africa's footprint in Botswana. They are in total contrast to the verdant, game-rich Okavango and Linyanti regions and are a must-see for all visitors to Botswana who are interested in the country's diversity.

The desert experience focuses on species unique to the area such as brown hyaena, meerkats (suricate), gemsbok (oryx), springbok and the great black-maned Kalahari lion, as well as on the geology, archaeology and anthropology of the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi. The Makgadikgadi is a relic of an ancient super lake that covered much of southern Africa, which dried up thousands of years ago. For a few months each year, the Makgadikgadi transforms into one of the most important wetland sites in Africa. When the rains come, the pans fill with water and they become the breeding ground for huge flocks of flamingo and other migratory birds. The rains also regenerate the grasses, which attract the last surviving migration of Zebra and Wildebeest in southern Africa.

A visit to the area is essential for anyone interested in evolution, the origins and the explanation of the Okavango Delta and Botswana's big picture. For those who are prepared to travel off the beaten track and take a step back in time, a wealth of sensory experiences awaits you - from 1940s safari-style luxury to giant, ancient baobabs and prehistoric beaches.