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Sua Pan: Botswana's Shimmering Salt Heart

Discover Sua Pan: Botswana's vast salt flats transform into a vibrant seasonal lake, teeming with wildlife and stunning vistas.

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Sua Pan, a vast seasonal lake in Botswana's Makgadikgadi region, transforms from arid salt flats to a vibrant wetland, attracting diverse wildlife and offering stunning, otherworldly landscapes.

A brief summary to Sua Pan

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Local tips

  • Visit during the rainy season (December-April) to witness the pan transform into a lake and attract thousands of flamingos.
  • A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended for navigating the dirt tracks leading to Sua Pan, as road conditions can be rough.
  • Bring binoculars for optimal bird watching and photography opportunities.
  • Pack plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection, as facilities are limited in the area.
  • Consider joining a guided tour to learn about the local ecology, culture, and history of Sua Pan.
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Getting There

  • Car

    From the A3 highway (Maun-Nata road), watch for signs indicating Sua Pan. Turn off the main road and follow the dirt tracks leading to the pan. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended due to rough road conditions. Note that driving across the pan itself is dangerous and should not be attempted.

  • Public Transport

    Take a long-distance bus to Nata from major cities like Gaborone or Francistown. From Nata, hire a taxi or arrange a local shuttle service to Sua Pan. Confirm the taxi fare beforehand, as prices may vary. The journey from Nata to Sua Pan is approximately 30 kilometers and takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on road conditions. Expect to pay around 300-500 BWP for a taxi from Nata to Sua Pan.

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Discover more about Sua Pan

Sua Pan, also known as Sowa Pan, is a remarkable natural wonder nestled within the Makgadikgadi region of Botswana. This expansive seasonal lake is one of the largest salt pans on Earth, stretching across approximately 24,000 square kilometers. The name 'Sua' means salt in the local San language, aptly describing the pan's dominant mineral composition. During the dry season, Sua Pan presents a surreal, seemingly endless expanse of white salt flats. The horizon blurs, creating mirages and a sense of being on another planet. As the summer rains arrive (typically from December to April), the pan undergoes a dramatic transformation. The flat surface floods with shallow, warm water, attracting tens of thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds. These birds migrate from as far as Etosha, Namibia, and East Africa to breed and feast on the algae and tiny creatures that flourish in the water. Sua Pan's history is etched in its landscape. Fossil pebble beaches, ancient remains, and Stone Age tools found along the shores of Kubu Island and other granite outcrops tell tales of a vast, ancient lake that once occupied the area. Evidence suggests prolonged wet periods thousands of years ago, shaping the region's geology and ecology. Near the village of Mosu, an escarpment rises 40 meters above the pan's edge, showcasing the erosive power of this ancient lake. Today, Sua Pan is also a site of mineral extraction. The Sua Pan Soda Ash Company mines sodium carbonate on an industrial scale, used in the manufacturing of paper, glass, and steel. This operation is located along the Sua Spit, a tongue of grassland extending into the pan from its eastern shore. Despite this industrial presence, much of Sua Pan remains a pristine wilderness, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for travelers.

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