Ten reasons why you should explore the Makgadikgadi Pans

22 Jun 2016

Located southeast of the Okavango Delta and surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, the Makgadikgadi Pans is a salt pan situated in the middle of the dry savanna in north-eastern Botswana.

For the majority of the year, the Makgadikgadi Pans is extremely desolate, waterless and arid. However, during the wet season, Makgadigadi offers excellent wildlife viewing, as large herds of zebra and wildebeest begin their westward trek towards the Boteti region.

If you’re planning a Botswana safari, here are 10 reasons why you should explore the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Meerkat on the lookout. #meerkat #africa #africatravel #africanature #africaphotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #animal #botswana

A photo posted by Martin Poelman (@poelman_martin) on Jun 13, 2016 at 10:36am PDT

Happy Friday to all you cool Kats from the Kalahari and beyond! �� @silverless

A photo posted by Uncharted Africa Safari Co. (@unchartedafrica) on Jun 3, 2016 at 12:45pm PDT

@unchartedafrica Race home - it's Friday! Speeding across the Makgadikgadi Pans back to the luxury of Jack's Camp. #safari #quad #quadbikes #racing #sunset #desert #makgadikgadi #botswana #dusk #friday #travel #adventure #explore #adventuretravel #africa

A photo posted by Niels Van Gijn (@silverless) on Jun 10, 2016 at 9:47am PDT

The world in one year. Day 142. We got one world. We got one chance to save it. Just 1 000 kilometers northeast from the Kruger Park in South Africa we find another great place for meeting the gracious zebras. Nxai and Makgadikgadi pan in the northern Kalahari desert in Botswana is every summer - when the rainy season occurs - visited by tens of thousands of zebras who come here when the normally dry pans for a few short months bloom into in tasty vegetation. During guide training I sat here out on the pans for hours and hours just watching these fantastic animals interact with each other. And when danger knocks on the door they run. They run like crazy. A full grown zebra can outrun most predators hitting top speed at impressive 65 kmph. And what's even more impressive is that the foals can run with the rest of the heard within hours of their birth. Compare that to us humans that learns how to walk after a year of being born. The world of the wilderness and wildlife just never fails to impress. About time we do something to save it. Photo of the galloping zebras is taken one lovely morning in February 2012, in Makgadikgadi, Botswana, on guide training assignment. #theworldinoneyear #doffmedia #travelphotography #traveljournalism #savetheplanet #oneworld #doffgoesoutdoor #doff #africa #botswana #wilderness #adventure #photography #canon #nature #likeforlike #naturephotography #landscapephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #canon_photos #kalahari #gallop #followme #zebra #run #wwf #photography #danger #friends #safari #wilderness @theworldinoneyear @wwf @naturkompaniet @unchartedafrica

A photo posted by Daniel Ohlsson (@dannedoff) on May 21, 2016 at 7:35am PDT

Watching the sun as it sets behind this magnificent giant is something truly breath-taking!! #makgadikgadi #gwetalodge #botswana #adventure #baobab #safari #wonderlust #comeandvisit #like4like #follow4follow #picoftheday #wild #africa

A photo posted by Gweta Lodge (@gwetalodge) on Mar 18, 2016 at 1:59am PDT

Riders watch the second largest mass migration of zebra in Botswana's Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Parks. There is something really special about game viewing from horse-back. The game are not scared off by the sound of an engine, giving you the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal and experience a safari like none other. Photo credit: Unchartered Africa.

A photo posted by Luxury African Safaris & Trips (@cedarbergafrica) on Feb 16, 2016 at 10:55am PST

Got to check out these awesome little guys while up in the salt pans. Was such a kiff trip! || #africanadventure #exploreafrica #travelafrica #saltpans #botswana #safari #makgadikgadi #africa #meerkat

A photo posted by Jake Budler (@jakebudler) on Nov 23, 2015 at 2:02am PST

One of the most epic camping spots ever. . . . . . . #wanderlust #digitalnomad #uncharteredafrica #botswana #locationindependent #planetbaobad

A photo posted by Caitlin McConnico Photography (@caitlin_mcconnico_photo) on Jun 14, 2016 at 12:15pm PDT

Found the Milky Way. Makgadikgadi Desert Salt Pans, Botswana with @gregahartman #milkyway #stargazing #safari #makgadikgadi #botswana #nikon #manfrotto

A photo posted by Mark Staudt Photography (@markstaudtphotography) on Jun 9, 2016 at 5:25am PDT

Wrestle Photo by Shirli Jade Carswell www.africaalive.co.za www.wildsidesafarico.co.za #wildlife #africa #safari #wildside #photography #makgadikgadi #botswana #nature #nature_africa #travel #travelafrica #africasafari #naturelovers

A photo posted by Shirli Jade Carswell (@wildside_safari_co) on Jun 9, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT

About Jarred Manasse

Manasse is the owner of Write For You, offering freelance copywriting services in Cape Town. He is also the content manager for Encounters Travel, a UK-based travel agency who offers adventure tours and small group holidays all over the globe.