
Makgadikgadi National Park
If one was to travel back in times tens of thousands of years, the area of northern Botswana known as the Makgadkgad Pans would appear totally different from how it looks today. It was once a vast lake, larger than Switzerland . This immense body of water was surrounded by a region of Swamps and wetlands that provided an ideal habitat for early human beings with an abundance of food and water. For visitors to visit the area now and instead of the giant lake, you will find spectacular a number of dry pan salt pans that were once the lake bed . However, the pans appear arid and unbearable, but enough water still reaches them, through Boteti River and Nata, also from the seasonal rains that they support large areas of summer savannah grassland, animals and birds which have adapted to this life challenging environment. The famous pans are Nxai Pan, Sowa Pan, and Ntwetwe Pan. Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is roughly 3 900sq Km. Visitors need a 4×4 vehicle to explore this beautiful area. On a journey through the remote parts of Botswana, travelers are advised to carry extra fuel and to inform someone where they are traveling and the expected time to arrive. The highlights of this beautiful park are Zebra and Wildebeest migration, this migration is believed to be the second largest migration. In summer, these animals will be seen in large numbers in the Makgadikgadi / Nxai Pan National Park, in the winter months they will be heading north to Savuti, Linyanti Swamps, and Shaile.