The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans lie in north-central Botswana, in southern Africa, and cover more than 12,000 square kilometres. They are the remnants of an ancient super-lake and form one of the largest salt flat complexes in the world.
What the landscape is like
In the dry season, the ground is a blindingly white crust of salt that runs flat to the horizon. The scale is hard to take in from the edge: there is little to break the view, and the sky often seems to meet the ground without a line between them. The effect is otherworldly, and many visitors find that the quiet is as striking as the sight.
The wet season changes the picture. Parts of the pans fill with water and become shallow lakes, and these are home to flamingos and other waterbirds. The same place can feel very different depending on when you arrive.
Is it worth a visit?
The pans suit travellers who want wide open spaces and a landscape unlike most others. Because the area is large and remote, it works best as a planned excursion rather than a quick stop. Plan your timing around the season you prefer: the bare white expanse of the dry months, or the birdlife and water of the wet months.
What to consider
- Season: dry-season and wet-season visits give quite different experiences.
- Birdlife: flamingos and other waterbirds appear where the pans flood.
- Surroundings: the pans are part of Botswana's wider wild landscapes, so a visit can be combined with other stops in the country.
For many visitors, the pans offer a memorable change of scene: a vast, quiet place where the land itself is the main attraction.