Makgadikgadi Pans: A Salt Pan Safari

The Largest Salt Pans in the World

The Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest salt pans in the world, covering an area of over 16,000 square kilometers. During the dry season, the pans are a vast and empty expanse of white, cracked earth. After the rains, the pans are transformed into a shallow lake, which attracts huge flocks of flamingos and other water birds. For more on unique landscapes, visit our destinations page.

The Zebra and Wildebeest Migration

During the wet season, the Makgadikgadi Pans are the scene of a spectacular zebra and wildebeest migration. Thousands of these animals move into the area to graze on the nutritious grasses that grow on the pans after the rains. This is the second-largest migration in Africa, after the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Our safari advisors can help you plan a trip to witness this incredible event.

Unique Desert-Adapted Wildlife

The Makgadikgadi Pans are home to a number of unique desert-adapted species, such as the brown hyena and the meerkat. A visit to the pans is a chance to see these fascinating animals and to learn about how they survive in this harsh environment. A highlight of any trip to the Makgadikgadi is a visit to a habituated group of meerkats. For more on desert wildlife, visit our knowledge center.

Planning Your Makgadikgadi Adventure

The Makgadikgadi Pans offer a very different safari experience to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta. The best time to visit depends on what you want to see. The dry season is the best time to experience the vastness of the pans, while the wet season is the best time to see the migration and the flamingos. To get an idea of the costs for a trip to the Makgadikgadi, use our cost calculator. Our team can help you plan a unique and unforgettable desert adventure.