Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park protects a section of the largest salt flat system in the world — the remnants of an ancient superlake that once covered much of northern Botswana. The pans themselves are vast shimmering expanses of white that create an otherworldly landscape rivalling Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni. During the wet season from November to April the pans fill with shallow water attracting enormous flocks of flamingo and triggering one of Africa’s least-known great migrations as tens of thousands of zebra and wildebeest move onto the grasslands. The Boteti River on the park’s western boundary provides year-round wildlife viewing with hippo, crocodile, and large herds of zebra. One of Makgadikgadi’s most popular experiences is the habituated meerkat encounter — sitting at dawn as meerkats emerge from their burrows and use visitors as lookout posts. Quad biking and horseback riding on the pans add adventure to the experience.