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Nxai Pan National Park

Explore Botswana's Nxai Pan: Witness dramatic wildlife migrations, iconic baobabs, and vast landscapes in this unique national park.

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Nxai Pan National Park, located in northeastern Botswana, is a captivating landscape of vast grasslands, acacia islands, and ancient salt flats that comes alive with wildlife, especially during the rainy season. It's a part of the greater Makgadikgadi Pans complex, offering a unique safari experience.

A brief summary to Nxai Pan

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Local tips

  • Visit during the rainy season (Dec-Apr) for the best wildlife viewing, but be prepared for potentially challenging road conditions.
  • A 4x4 vehicle is essential for navigating the park's sandy roads.
  • Book campsites in advance, especially during peak season.
  • Bring all necessary supplies, including water, food, and fuel, as there are no facilities within the park.
  • Pay park fees in advance or have cash (Botswana Pula) available.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The main entrance to Nxai Pan National Park is located off the A3 highway, approximately 140 km east of Maun and 160 km west of Nata. A 4x4 vehicle is required to enter the park. Park entry fees are approximately $10 per person per day, plus $4.20 per vehicle. It is advisable to carry Botswana Pula for payment.

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Discover more about Nxai Pan

Nxai Pan National Park, a 2,578 sq km wilderness in Botswana, is a captivating destination distinguished by its expansive, grassy plains, dotted with clusters of acacia trees and ancient salt pans. Once part of a massive inland lake, the park now offers a unique and accessible safari experience, particularly during the rainy season from November to April. During the wet season, the pans transform into lush grasslands, attracting large herds of zebra, wildebeest, springbok, and gemsbok, creating a spectacle rivaling the East African migrations. Predators such as lion, cheetah, and hyena follow these herds, offering dramatic wildlife viewing opportunities. Birdlife flourishes, with numerous species to spot. Key attractions include the iconic Baines' Baobabs, a group of millennia-old trees named after explorer Thomas Baines, who painted them in 1862. These majestic trees stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time and offer stunning photographic opportunities. The park's central waterhole is a focal point for wildlife, especially during the dry season, providing excellent game-viewing and photographic opportunities. Nxai Pan's history includes its use as a cattle route until the 1960s and its establishment as a game reserve in 1970, later expanded and upgraded to a national park in 1992. Today, it forms part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, promoting regional conservation.

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