Description
Nxai Pans Migration Camp
Nxai Pans National Park
Nxai Pan, like the Kalahari, is known for the Black Maned Lions. These distinctive animals can be heard nearly every evening as they roar their territorial dominance over the pans.The area is also home to herds of large bull Elephants and in the summertime Botswana’s Zebra Migration moves down from the Chobe National Park area.
Springbok, Giraffe, Black Faced Impala and many other antelope exist in this stark wilderness of little water and dry pans. Herds of Wildebeest, Oryx and Steenbok are also common sightings. The area is also a good are for seeing Cheetah, Jackal and the Spotted Hyena. If you are lucky you may see some of the rarer species in the area including Leopard, Wild Dog and the Brown Hyena.
There are over 200 bird species in Nxai Pan and bird watching opportunities are especially great from November to March. Once the pans fill up after the rains the area sees an influx of Flamingos. The migratory birds that appear over these months also include the Steppe Buzzard, Western Red-footed Kestrel and the Lesser-spotted Eagle.
Morning and afternoon games drives are of course the best times to look for the game in this semi-desert environment. For the annual migration, January and February are the best times to be in the park.
While access is by road or air we found the short helicopter flight from Maun to be combining two activities in one.
Read our Country Information for advice on travel to Botswana.
Is Africa and Botswana all about the Okavango for you? In our expert opinion Linyanti Ebony, Linyanti Expeditions and Linyanti Bush Camp are the best places to book.
Khwai Bush Camp is another stunning camp offering walks, night drives and incredible birding overlooking this sublime lagoon.
For more information on the conservation work being done in this area visit the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans Conservation Initiative.
