Makgadikgadi Pans Accommodation

 

Much of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park comprises nutritious grasslands attracting thousands of animals. It is however, an area of low rainfall and the Boteti River rarely flows to capacity, but often has perennial pools that attract waterbuck, bushbuck and resident hippos.

The area was once a superlake almost 100 feet (30 metres) deep, over an area of 30,888 sq. miles (80,000 square km). The climate changed and it 10,000 years ago Lake Makgadikgadi was well on the way to drying up. As the water evaporated, huge glistening salt-encrusted pans were left. These pans look as flat as a billiard table and stretch as far as the eye can see. Occasionally, this extraordinary landscape is dotted with rocky outcrops and large stranded sand dunes.
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park includes a portion of these enormous Makgadikgadi Pans, which are almost devoid of human habitation. However, villages on the periphery and in between the pans is evidence that the area has supported people as far back as the stone age. Today the area contains large numbers of animals who migrate to grasslands in the west of the park after the rains.Journeying into this magical land and across the desolate pans, you somehow feel its ancient mystique. The subtle hues at sunset transform Makgadikgadi into a surreal wonderland, which is unlike anywhere else. During the day the dusty pans, with whirlwinds skirting across a seemingly endless desert, offer the best way to come face to face with true isolation.The park contains four main vegetation types; riverine woodland, scrubland, pure grassland and salt pans. The pans support palm groves and peculiar looking Baobab trees whose branches look more like roots, giving rise to the name 'upside down tree. These are interspersed with short spiky yellow grass found on rises between the pans, known as 'prickly salt grass'. This is extremely saline resistant to the extent that salt crystals can sometimes be seen on the leaves. The interior of the reserve comprises scrub and grassland with a few 'islands' of Real Fan Palms and Camel thorn acacia.

Whatever kind of holiday you're looking for, our selection of Makgadikgadi accommodation will have something to suit your tastes. Please feel free to browse the below selection of lodges and send through your enquiries for a free no obligation quotation.

Jacks Camp

Jack's Camp is located deep in the Kalahari Desert on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The Camp is a classic desert safari camp accommodating 20 guests in ten large walk-in tents, each with en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. Accommodation is comfortable and in keeping with the character of the Makgadikgadi. Facilities include a mess tent for dining and a tea tent with Persian carpet cushions for socialising. After the rains (December to April), there can be enormous herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and Springbok - with the accompanying predators - on the open grasslands.

 

San Camp

 San Camp overlooks the endless white salt sea of the extinct Makgadikagadi and offers a unique chance to explore the Kalahari. San Camp is located on a grass covered bay that overlooks the endless white salt sea of the extinct Makgadikagadi superlake and directly adjoining the National Park. San Camp, along with Jack's Camps, are unique in that they are the only permanent camps to offer a chance to explore and understand the Kalahari. The concession adjoins the Makgadikgadi National Park with its endless vistas of rolling golden grasslands