Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Wildlife Reserve

Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Wildlife Reserve

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are a large salt pan in southern Africa, located southeast of the Okavango Delta in northeastern Botswana, covering a total area of 12,000 square kilometers with a maximum depth of 30 meters. They are one of the largest salt flats in the world.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are part of the Kalahari Basin, where the vast, boundless land fuels endless imagination—vast uninhabited areas stretch barren and flat toward a milky-blue horizon. The ancient remnants of a “super lake” that once covered much of northern Botswana are still visible, leaving behind extensive dry land dotted with salt crusts. Mostly made up of dried-out pans now covered with lush green grass, these areas serve as a crucial food source for herbivores such as impala, zebras, oryx, and springbok. Numerous bird species are also drawn to the pans’ waters, including pelicans, flamingos, herons, and storks. Especially during the rainy season, thousands of bright pink flamingos create a stunning spectacle across the sweeping landscape.

During the rainy season, many roads become impassable. Regardless of the season, it is recommended to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle, as the roads within the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Wildlife Reserve are rough and sandy.

Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve

Must-visit reason: One of the largest salt pans in the world

Continent: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region: Botswana

Province/State: North-East District