A Botswana desert safari conjures up mystique and attraction from a bygone area. Early settlers to the Kalahari & Makgadigadi Pans leave rich folklore, and stories abound of the people who have perished here during the driest time of year. Today, safari to the Makgadigadi Pans offer incredible desert safari experiences, and can be easily combined with other Botswana safari attractions.
Camps and lodges offer an abundance of options, from luxurious authentic retreats at Jacks Camp, to family friendly safaris at Camp Kalahari, or a mobile desert safari or desert quad bike adventure.
The Makgadigadi Pans is a large salt pan in the middle of the dry savannah of north-eastern Botswana. Here the pans only fill with water during the November rains and, because of their hard surface, retain the water into April. The thirst land is then transformed into huge sheets of shallow water filled with birdlife and ga…
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A Botswana desert safari conjures up mystique and attraction from a bygone area. Early settlers to the Kalahari & Makgadigadi Pans leave rich folklore, and stories abound of the people who have perished here during the driest time of year. Today, safari to the Makgadigadi Pans offer incredible desert safari experiences, and can be easily combined with other Botswana safari attractions.
Camps and lodges offer an abundance of options, from luxurious authentic retreats at Jacks Camp, to family friendly safaris at Camp Kalahari, or a mobile desert safari or desert quad bike adventure.
The Makgadigadi Pans is a large salt pan in the middle of the dry savannah of north-eastern Botswana. Here the pans only fill with water during the November rains and, because of their hard surface, retain the water into April. The thirst land is then transformed into huge sheets of shallow water filled with birdlife and game, making this the best time of year to embark on a safari in the Botswana desert.
Although this area is called a desert, The Kalahari is actually covered with stunted thorn trees, low scrub and grass. It’s a vast, flat sandy landscape with only a few, gently sloping valleys. Salt pans glisten in the heat haze and blur the image of the magnificent gemsbok, or oryx, which can withstand the harsh climate thanks to a clever, genetic cooling system.
On a Kalahari safari you will spot the brown hyena, a shy nocturnal scavenger, porcupine are plentiful here too, as are aardvark. It is also the ancient home of the San, or Bushmen, who still live in the Central Kalahari, living in a traditional way and passing on their incredible knowledge about the plants and animals that live in these harsh surroundings. The San’s ability to live here and almost supernatural affinity with their environment is legendary.
when to travel on a botswana desert safari
Summer: November to March: Very high temperatures, even though this is the rainy season, which cools things down for short periods. Temp: 22 to 45 deg C
Winter: April to October: Winter nights can drop to below freezing, but the days are warm and dry. Best for game viewing, especially around waterholes. Temp: 0 – 27 deg C
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