Quick Guide to Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana

A Quick Travel Guide for Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan Safari Travel Advice Links:
What is Special About a Nxai Pan Safari? | When To Go | What To Pack for a Nxai Safari | Nxai Pan Safari Activities | Nxai Pan FAQs |

What is Special About a Nxai Pan Safari?

• A Wild Landscape with an Ancient Story: Nxai Pan is the fossilised lake bed of Lake Makgadikgadi - a super-lake that once dominated this area of the Kalahari. Alongside Makgadikgadi, Nxai Pan differs from the vast, flat salt pans of its neighbouring park - covered with grassed plains anddotted with acacias and mopane.


• Baines' Baobabs: Sitting on the edge of a salt pan, these ancient and iconic trees were immortalised by the British artist and explorer Thomas Baines. These towering trees are an exquisite landmark and have remained unchanged since Baines painted his famous artwork in 1862.


• Wonderful Wildlife and the Zebra Migration: While game-viewing in Nxai Pan National Park is quite seasonal, this park plays host to Botswana's zebra migration, which sees tens of thousands of these animals in the area from December to March. With large, open areas, this is a wonderful place to spot game - while the Nxai Pan waterhole is a focal point from which to observe wildlife and to watch elephants encrusted in spatters of white-grey soil.


• A Pan for All Seasons: Nxai Pan National Park has distinct dry and wet seasons and there are pros and cons to travel across both. As above, the summer rains trigger the move of wildlife en-masse for fresh water and green grass. The wet season is also a great time for birding, with migratory species in the area.

When is the Best Time to Visit Nxai Pan National Park?

• Dry Season in Nxai Pan National Park: The dry season runs from April to October, with dry conditions intensifying until the rains arrive around November and into December. The road network in the park is more accessible during these times and weather conditions are more moderate. It is said that game-viewing is more sporadic during this time as game is more dispersed, but we have seen lions, antelope, and lots of elephants around the Nxai waterhole during dry season trips. As with any safari, there is always an element of luck to game-viewing.


• Wet Season in Nxai Pan National Park: The wet season runs from November to March and this is when zebra migrate to the new grass and fresh water that come with the rains, together with predators and other species. As the wet season hits its zenith, expect high heat and intermittent big storms, with boggy driving conditions.

What To Do in Nxai Pan

• Game Drives: For most visitors to Nxai Pan, game drives will be the main activity. On the back of an open game viewer with an experienced guide at the helm, you just need to sit back and relax while you search for game and learn more about the area and its wildlife.


• Visit Baines' Baobabs: This grove of ancient baobabs is a must for any visitor to Nxai Pan - the perfect place to take in the history, the stories, and the stillness.


• San Guided Walks: Some operators offer interpretive walks with San trackers at Nxai Pan. This adds an enriching other dimension to this wild landscape, giving you an understanding of the enduring traditions, knowledge, and survival of these nomadic people.


• Birdwatching: While the migrant species of the wet season hold enormous appeal for serious twitchers, have your binos at the ready for Botswana birding all year round at Nxai Pan.


• Helicopter Safari: An aerial perspective provides a unique view of Botswana's wild landscapes. These flying adventures can be arranged by local operators and some lodges.

Nxai Pan Safari FAQs

• Where is Nxai Pan National Park? Nxai Pan National Park adjoins Makgadikgadi National Park on its northern border - lying just north of the Maun-Nata road in north-eastern Botswana.


• Is there a Malaria Risk in Nxai Pan? Nxai Pan falls within a high-risk malaria zone in Botswana. This comes with an increased risk during the wet season. Get advice on malaria precautions from your medical practitioner before you travel. Make sure you pack BUGTech™ anti-insect safari clothing, cover up especially at night, and use a reliable insect repellent.


• What is the Weather Like in Nxai Pan National Park? Nxai Pan has a hot, desert-like climate. The dry season from April to October usually experiences more moderate and very dry conditions, with the heat reaching its peak in October, when daytime temperatures can be very uncomfortable. The rains typically start in November and December, when you can expect hot temperatures and scattered rain. January and February are the wettest months of the year, with thunderstorms and heat.

Botswana Links:
Chobe National Park | Chobe Riverfront | Savuti | One Night In Linyanti | What To Pack For Chobe, Savuti, and Linyanti | Quick Travel Tips for Chobe National Park | The Magic of Nowhere: Destination Inspiration from Mabuasahube in Botswana | Moremi Game Reserve | Khwai Concession | What To Pack For The Okavango Delta | Okavango Delta | Quick Travel Tips for the Okavango Delta | The Okavango Panhandle | Steve's Off The Beaten Track Safaris: Okavango Delta | Mokoro on the Okavango Delta | Great White Space: Makgadikgadi Pans | What To Pack for Makgadikgadi Pans | Quick Travel Guide to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park