Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan National Park is adjacent to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and is approximately 2,578 km² in size. Visitors are able to self-drive into the park, however only 4x4 vehicles should attempt the journey.

The Nxai Pan is one of Makgadikgadi's salt flats, located on the northern border of the park. In 1992 it was declared a National Park, with the outstanding and unique feature of a waterhole, situated in the centre of the park in a large grassy plain.

Approximately 20km south-east of Nxai Pan, is the beautiful Kudiakam Pan complex. Apart from the abundance of wildlife, Kudiakam Pan is significant as the site of 'Baines' Baobabs', a clump of seven Baobab trees, known as the 'seven sisters' or the 'sleeping sisters' commemorated on canvas by painter and explorer Thomas Baines on 22 May 1862. It is commonly believed that if Thomas Baines were to repaint these Baobabs today, 140 years later, there would be no visible difference.

Nxai Pan National Park is renowned for its magnificent scenery unique, as well as incredible game viewing. Once the rains start, wildebeest, gemsbok, elephant and zebra migrate to the region and zebra give birth to calves. Massive herds of giraffe can be seen with up to 30 in a group.

These large herds of zebras, springbok, and wildebeest attract many predators like lion, cheetah, jackal, both spotted and the elusive brown hyena, as well as the endangered wild dog and the secretive leopard.

There are large numbers of bat-eared fox and raptors that prey on the rodents and reptiles. At times, rhino has been sighted. Also to be seen are the eland, greater kudu and red hartebeest. The birdlife is incredible, once the rains have started.

The famous Baines' Baobabs stand tall as an oasis of life in the middle of the white salt pan in the dry season, which is well worth a visit.