Overview–botswana

Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan National Park is located in northeastern Botswana, just north of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The park is characterized by its large salt pans, particularly the Nxai Pan and Kudiakam Pan. These pans are remnants of the prehistoric Makgadikgadi Lake that dried up millions of years ago. The park spans an area of approximately 2,578 square kilometers, having been designated as a game reserve in 1970 and later upgraded to national park status in 1992.

The name “Nxai” is derived from a curved stick used by the San people to dig for springhares, reflecting both the cultural significance and the geographical shape of the park. The area is part of the traditional settlement lands of the San (Bushmen), who have lived in harmony with this environment for thousands of years.

Wildlife and Attractions

Nxai Pan National Park serves as a crucial habitat along migration routes for various wildlife species moving between significant areas such as the Okavango Delta and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. The park is home to a diverse range of animals including lions, giraffes, kudus, jackals, springboks, impalas, bat-eared foxes, elephants, oryx antelopes, and thousands of zebras during the rainy season from December to April.

One of the most notable attractions within Nxai Pan is Baines Baobabs—a cluster of seven ancient baobab trees named after explorer Thomas Baines who painted them in 1862. These trees are estimated to be around 1,000 years old and stand over 20 meters tall. They serve not only as a natural landmark but also as a testament to the ecological history of the region.

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Rates

From: $319 to $2000 pp/da

Best Time to Go

From: December to March (Best wildlife viewing)

High Season

From: December to May (Higher rates apply but not busy)

Size

From: 2,100km² / 811mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Nxai Pan National Park is not a conventional safari destination. The arid environment doesn’t support a huge variety of animals. Small groups of springbok are resident throughout the year, as are lions. After the rains, large herds of herbivores arrive at the scene, many of them giving birth. Burchell's zebra and blue wildebeest are the most numerous, but others include eland, red hartebeest, and oryx.

Wildlife Highlights

Cheetahs and wild dogs sometimes follow the herds of herbivores giving birth at the pan. Spotted hyenas are often heard at night, and the elusive brown hyena can sometimes be found scurrying around looking for food after dark. Other small predators that are present, but difficult to see, are aardwolf and honey badger. Bat-eared foxes are more active in the daytime and thus easier to spot. The woodland supports a lot of tree squirrels.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Nxai Pan has very seasonal wildlife viewing. As opposed to most African parks, the best wildlife-viewing months are in the Wet season, from December to March, when animals are attracted to the green grasses around the pans. This is also when many new animals are born. At this time, the roads can be difficult to navigate.

General Wheather

Nxai Pan National Park has well-defined Dry (April to October) and Wet (November to March) seasons, as well as a hot, desert climate. As the Dry season progresses, the park becomes more and more parched, with the heat reaching its peak in October. When the rains break, signaling the beginning of the Wet season, it cools down immediately.

Dry Season –April to October

April sees the tail end of the Wet season, with the last of the rains. June and July are the coolest months, but the temperature will begin to climb in August, with a peak in October and November.

April & May – The start of the Dry season. It is mostly sunny and dry. It is warm in the middle of the day, with temperatures rising to about 29°C/84°F.
June, July & August – These months see little rain. Conditions are cooler with afternoon temperatures hovering around 26°C/79°F on average. It gets chilly in the morning at about 7°C/45°F. It is recommended to bring warm clothing for early morning game drives.
September & October – The end of the Dry season is notable for the heat reaching its peak before the rains break. October is uncomfortably hot, with average daytime temperatures of 35°C/95°F. Nights and mornings are much better.

Wet Season –November to March

It doesn’t usually rain all day, although afternoon thunderstorms and short showers become a consistent pattern. The season stays hot throughout, with afternoon temperatures of about 31°C/88°F. Mornings are cooler.

November & December – Conditions are hot with plenty of sunshine. Rain is inconsistent but comes as a relief because temperatures tend to build up before the rain and drop afterward. The average temperature during the early morning is about 19°C/66°F.
January & February – During the wettest time of year, it often rains in the afternoon, but it is usually over in a few hours. Thunderstorms are typical.
March – The rains are slackening off. Rainfall mostly comes as a thunderstorm, and it can still rain every couple of days. At 17°C/63°F, mornings are slightly cooler.

Prons

Stunning desert scenery
Off the beaten track and little visited
Open plains make wildlife viewing easier
Animals migrate to the pan in the wet months

Cons

Less wildlife than in more popular parks, such as Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve
Very little accommodation in and outside the park
It is very hot and dry

How To Get There

Entry into Botswana is usually through Maun Airport (MUB) or Kasane Airport (BBK) for safari-goers.

Nxai Pan National Park is located 162km/100 mi east of Maun and the drive takes roughly 3 hours*. The park can be reached on a self-drive safari, an organized mobile safari, or a fly-in safari. There are several campsites in the park and one lodge.

Flying by chartered plane from Maun or Kasane, or from any safari camp to the airstrip of the only lodge in the park, is the easiest way to get here.

Tour operators usually book charter flights between parks as part of the tour package. There are no scheduled flights to Nxai Pan.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Maun Airport (MUB) or Kasane Airport (BBK), and what tickets would cost.