The immense desert covers almost half of Botswana and crosses both the Namibian and South African borders. Most tourists cross it little by little, stopping at bush camps along the way.

Africa

South Africa's discreet northern neighbour, Botswana is undoubtedly the pearl of southern Africa . This quiet, sparsely populated country has avoided civil wars, post-colonial racial tensions and conflicts endured by most of its neighbours. What's more, since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, Botswana has held democratic elections - a rarity on the Africa continent. The result is a peaceful country, where life is generally good and provides a pervading optimism that rubs off on its visitors. From a geographical point of view, it's a land of contrasts where heavy rainfall and drought co-exist. Thanks to&nbsp;the great rivers of North Linyanti and Chobe&nbsp;and the Okavango Delta in the north, the country has an extremely varied plant and animal life, whereas the south houses the arid Kalahari Desert, which stretches as far as the capital, Gaborone. A country with as many contrasts as there are wonders. So, are you ready to discover Botswana ?

Botswana

Kalahari

Makgadikgadi Pans is a salt pan, meaning a fossilised salt lake that's only flooded during the rainy season.  Its border is on the southern part of the road linking Nata to Maun, as opposed to its sister park, the Nxai Pans National Park , which is to the north of the road.

Magkadikgadi

Moremi Game Reserve is a protected zone in the western Okavango Delta,which includes, among other things, the major island of the delta, Chief's Island and the Moremi language. It spans close to 5000km², of which only 30% is dry land.

Moremi

 Maun is mainly a transit town  for safaris.

Maun

Nxai Pan National Park is a salt pan - a fossilised salt lake  that's only flooded during the rainy season.  Its border's on the north side of the road linking Nata to Maun, as opposed to its sister park, the Makgadikgadi Pan, which is to the south of the road.

Nxai Pan

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I loved the wildness of the Nxai Pan National Park. The highlight was Baine's Baobab, an island that's home to seven ancient baobabs. 
The park surrounds a water hole, which is where this fossilised lake's water is at its deepest (it's a muddy basin). It remains a water source during the dry season and therefore attracts plenty of wildlife. It's why you'll catch sight of predators hunting National Geographic style - something which is less common in other well-known safari parks. It's also the season when migratory birds are in residence: pink flamingoes, storks...
For my part, I went during the dry season. Less interesting, perhaps, than the rainy season (fewer animals, arid landscape), but it meant that the roads were in better condition. This would, no doubt, explain why I found the scenery to be less impressive than the nearby Okavango Delta.  
Even so, a great option is to spend one or two days in the public camp, from where you can admire the landscape surrounding the Okavango Delta road. You'll have some unexpected visitors (elephants, buffalo...), as the parks in Botswana are not fenced off.

Nxai Pan National Park is a salt pan - a fossilised salt lake that's only flooded during the rainy season. Its border's on the north side of the road linking Nata to <a href="/botswana/">Maun</a>, as opposed to its sister park, the <a href="/botswana/">Makgadikgadi Pan</a>, which is to the south of the road.

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Nxai Pan Holidays

Nxai Pan: How to get there?

Nxai Pan: See when to go?

Nxai Pan: For how long?

Nxai Pan: What to see nearby?