5 Days Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan Safari

5 Days Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan Safari

Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest salt pans in the world covering an area of over 30 000 km2. Its sheer massive size surpasses the Bolivian Salar de Uyuni salt pan which is the largest continuous pan in the world.

The Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve, a salt pan– with an area of 3 900 sq. km is situated in the middle of the dry Savannah of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The pan is all that remains of the formerly enormous Lake Makgadikgadi.

Safari highlights

• Game drives in Makgadikgadi pans NP
• Game drives in Nxai pan NP
• Sundowners in the park

Detailed safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Maun and transfer to your lodge for overnight

On arrival at the Maun Airport we are met by the Drifters staff and transferred to the Lodge for relaxation and in the afternoon you will spend the time in the pool taking swim as you prepare for your safari.

Day 2: Explore Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

After morning breakfast you will start your drive eastward into the spectacular Makgadikgadi Salt Pans as you enjoy the scenery, the Pans are known for their prolific birdlife and the other desert adapted animals.

You will enter the Park in the west. After entry we will spend most of the day on game drive in this truly unique area where we will be searching for the animals surrounding the edge of the pans.

We slowly make our way to the edge of this magical wonderland. Depending on the time, we will then be able to take a walk out into the pans and experience the beauty of “Nothing”. No sound, No people, No traffic!!! Just nature. And later you will, transfer to your lodge for overnight.

Day 3: Drive to Nxai pans national park

Today after morning breakfast you will drive north towards to Nxai pan, which is part of the larger Makgadikgadi Pans in northeastern Botswana. Nxai Pan National Park is a seasonal home to large herds of zebra and home to the famous Baine’s Baobabs. Today we will be exploring another section of the park in search of some Giraffe, Zebra, Elephant bulls as well as any predators we could find in this area. After our full day game drive you will return to the lodge for relaxation.

Day 4: Explore Nxai pan national park

After morning breakfast you will depart the park for your journey back to Maun on arrival you can visit the city or spend the day relaxing at your lodge.

Day 5: Drive back to Maun for your onward travel

An easy morning, depending on our flight times, you will be transferred to the Maun airport for your onward travel.

Trip includes

• Accommodation
• Transfers and game drives
• Park entrance fees
• meals and drinking water
• Guide and fuel
• Airport picks up and drops off

Trip excludes

• International flights
• pre and post safari accommodation
• Botswana tourist Visa
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guides and hotels

When to book this safari package

We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.

Best time to visit Kalahari Desert for a safari in Botswana

Though you can easily visit all year round, the best time to experience the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana is between November and April. It’s green and lush and welcomes the largest African animal migration.