Nxai Pan National Park is a delightful park, 36 km north of Francistown – Maun road, on the northern fringe of the Magkgadikgadi Basin, is centered on the Nxai Pan.During the rainy season, December – April, large herds of game , wildebeest, zebra, gemsbok, springbok and eland, converge on the area, and game watching can be exceptionally rewarding. Giraffe are also found here, as well as an occasional elephant, venturing down from further north. Birds include kori bustards, korhaans and rednecked falcons. The park ahs been extended to include the Kudiakam Pan and Baine’s Baobabs.

Between the Delta and the Central Kalahari lie several vast salt pans – great shallow depressions that were once, several millions ago, lakes filled by the Okavango, Zambezi and Chobe river, before geological shifts altered the rivers’ courses and drained the lakes. Even today, during the rains, the pans do fill a little – partly from rainwater and partly from the seasonal flow of the Boteti River, an outflow of the Okavango Delta. When this happens thousands of flamingoes descend on the pans, as do great herds of zebra, bringing predators and other game with them.

Nxai Pan National Park, originally part of the same lake system and lying about 50km northwest of Makgadikgadi, covers around 2000 sq km and has a more permanent game population, including elephant, giraffe and the big predators. Nxai is known as a good place to photograph leopard.The sense of isolation and space out on the pans is indescribable. Several ‘islands’ dot the pans, usually grown over with tall palms similar to those in the Okavango, despite the general lack of water, or baobab trees. One island, just south of Nxai Pan, known as Baine’s Baobabs, is a particularly startling sight amid the surrounding barrens, and has become one of the most photographed landmarks in southern Africa.

Three camping areas have been designated for visitors to Nxai Pan National Park: South Camp, which is set in a well treed area near the entrance gate, has four campsites with ablution block containing showers and flush toilets. There is water on tap plus a braai area for each campsite. Twp elevated viewing platforms have been set up at South Camp. North Camp offers three campsites with ablution block, showers, hand basins and flush toilets.

The area around Baines’ Baobabs has three informal, undeveloped campsites, each of which can accommodate a maximum of 12 people and three vehicles. A 4X4 vehicle is essential for travelling within the Nxai Pan National Park.The summer days are scorchingly hot, abd the nights coll to cold. Rain falls between January and April. The winters are cool to very cold at night.. The best time to visit the Nxai Pan National park is between December and April.

When travelling to the Nxai pan National park you will need to take your basic provisions; compass, extra fuel; repair and tool kit; full first-aid kit; bedding, firewood, water, torches, gas lamps, eating utensils and binoculars. One can get to the Nxai Pan National park from Maun in the west, or from Francistown in the east, via Nata and Gweta. There is a good tarred road between Gaberone and Nata. 4 X 4 Vehicles are available for hire from the various car rental companies in Botswana.

It is advisable to take care and not deviate from the designated tracks. Take plenty of precautions against sunburn and warm clothing for the cold nights under the stars.