Makgadikgadi
Pans, Botswana Safaris
Map
of Makgadikgadi Pans
The
Makgadikgadi Pans African Safari
The Makgadikgadi
Pans are the residue of a great lake that once
covered much of northern Botswana, fed by rivers
carrying salts leached from the lake's catchment
area. Ancient lakeshore terraces reveal that
the water depth fluctuated by as much as 33
metres and, at its greatest extent, the lake
covered an area of 60,000 sq km. Because the
basin had no outlet, the salts were concentrated
in low lying areas. Less than 10,000 years
ago, climactic changes caused the lake to evaporate,
leaving only salt deposits.
The Boteti River,
the historical source of the pans was once a
broad strong-flowing waterway fed
by waters
drained
from the Okavango Delta during the months of
June and July annually. The Boteti later dwindled
to a chain
of
pools and last ceased flowing in September 1992.
The last few deep permanent pools that remain
are competed for by humans, livestock and wildlife,
causing considerable conflict.
Even today, Makgadikgadi
is not always dry. The pans, which are situated
in the
south, east and
northeastern areas of the park, fill with water
during the rains from mid-November and mostly retain
their water into April or May. The "thirstlands" are
then transformed into great sheets of water, which
attract a spectacular array of waterbirds and trigger
dramatic migrations of wildebeest and zebra. It
is unfortunate that this huge water spectacle becomes
practically inaccessible by road at this time,
but anyone fortunate enough to fly over the area
during the wet season sees a water wonderland of
incredible scenic beauty.
Makgadikgadi was initially state land. People
have never been resident in its waterless interior,
but in times of drought, surrounding villagers
were permitted to graze their livestock within
the area, withdrawing them to their homes when
conditions improved. The area was declared a game
reserve in 1970 and in December 1992, the boundaries
were extended and National Park status was attained.
The present park covers some 4,900 square kilometres.
Makgadikgadi, the
name of which implies a vast open lifeless land,
has plenty of folklore. There are stories of
people setting out from Gweta to explore the
land that lay between them and the Boteti River
to seek a favourable environment in which to
settle. They entered these great thirstlands
at the driest time of year, drawn by what they
perceived as large lakes of sparkling water on
the horizon. Suffering badly from thirst, the
lakes kept drawing them hurriedly on in their
attempts to reach the life-giving water that
always remained just ahead of them. Gradually,
one by one, they fell and died.
Both dry season
and wet season visits to this park are recommended
in order to witness the dramatic
appearance of the pans at their driest and to experience
the transformation to a water wonderland, and see
the wildebeest and zebra migrations, in the wet
season. Linking a few days in Makgadikgadi with
a similar period of time in its nearby sister park,
Nxai Pan, will give visitors a distinctly different
experience.
 Return
to Map of Botswana
 Water
/ Land Activity Table for Botswana camps: Water/Land
Botswana
Flying
Times between Botswana camps: Fly
Times Botswana
For
further information about Botswana, click More
Botswana
For
further information about the Makgadikgadi Pans, click More
Makgadikgadi
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