National park · Botswana
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Enter Makgadikgadi Pans with a pre‑booked campsite (cost ~BWP 150–250 per night) and walk the Kumaga‑Sowa trail early in the dry season (Dec–Mar) for wildlife and salt‑pan views.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,200 km² (2,394 sq mi)2,394 sq mi (6,200 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Botswana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Botswana government sources before booking; most Western passports are visa-exempt, others use the Botswana e-visa.
- Botswana ↗Light-aircraft transfers limit luggage by weight and require soft bags; confirm the limit with your camp or operator before packing.
- Botswana ↗Self-driving in Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari needs a properly equipped 4x4, booked campsites and experience in sand driving.
- Okavango-Chobe ↗Camp-to-camp transfers are usually by light aircraft from Maun or Kasane; baggage is limited to about 20 kg in soft bags.
- Okavango-Chobe ↗Government park and reserve fees are paid per person per day on top of camp rates; check current amounts before you budget.
- Okavango-Chobe ↗Self-drive works on the Chobe riverfront and into Moremi with a 4x4 and park permits; deep sand and water crossings need experience.
At a glance
- Country
- Botswana
- Area
- 6,200 km² (2,394 sq mi)2,394 sq mi (6,200 km²)
- Approximately 6,200 km² covering the salt pans and surrounding desert (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Maun
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park protects one of the world’s largest salt flats, offering stark desert landscapes, seasonal wetlands, and the continent’s biggest zebra migration.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
6,200 km² (2,394 sq mi)2,394 sq mi (6,200 km²) · national park since 1992
Approximately 6,200 km² covering the salt pans and surrounding desert (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Maun.
Why go
- Experience one of the world’s largest salt pans and its stark desert scenery.
- Watch the zebra migration and flamingo breeding on the seasonal lakes.
- Spot desert‑adapted wildlife such as springbok, oryx and occasional predators.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear skies, wildlife active.
- FebPeak of zebra migration.
- MarStill dry, good for walking.
- AprStart of rains, some tracks muddy.
- MayRain may close some roads.
- JunEarly rains, fewer animals.
- JulRainy, many tracks impassable.
- AugWet season, limited access.
- SepWet, wildlife moves to Nxai.
- OctDrying out, wildlife returns.
- NovEnd of wet season, good birding.
- DecDry, ideal for hikes.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebra migrationDec–Mar · Largest in Africa outside Tanzania. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Springbok, oryx, impalaJun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Lions, cheetahs, hyenas (rare)Jun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Flamingos on seasonal lakesOct–Jan | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Maun
4WD drive (≈250 km (155 mi)) via the A1 highway, then turn onto the Makgadikgadi access road.4WD drive (≈155 mi (250 km)) via the A1 highway, then turn onto the Makgadikgadi access road.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Kasane
Fly to Maun (light aircraft) then follow road route; or drive 350 km (217 mi) via the A33 and A1.Fly to Maun (light aircraft) then follow road route; or drive 217 mi (350 km) via the A33 and A1.
≈6 h by road, 1 h flight
Open the page →
From Okavango‑Chobe region
Join an organised tour that includes transport from Gaborone or Maun.
Varies
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kumaga Camp area | Designated campsite with basic facilities; gateway to southern pans. | Reservation required. |
| Njuca Hills Campsite | Remote campsite near the northern edge of the pans. | Reservation required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on DWNP site and park maps; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsite reservation (per night) | BWP 150–250 | person | Must be booked in advance; includes park entry. |
| Day visitor entry (no camping) | BWP 100–120 | person | Check – day‑only tickets are limited. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Campsite permit permit or guide
Guided trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BWP 150–250
- BWP 100–120
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on DWNP – Makgadikgadi Pans before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only at designated campsites with a reservation; no wild camping.
- Guides
- Required for any off‑site trek or wildlife walk.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; pack out.
- Vehicle access
- 4WD only on park roads; stay on marked tracks.
Where to stay
In the park
Kumaga Camp
Basic bush camp with shared facilities, 2‑night minimum.
In the park
Njuca Hills Campsite
Remote campsite, similar amenities.
Near the park
Maun town
Range of lodges and guesthouses, 5‑hour drive to park.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on remote tracks high
Sudden rain making pans slippery medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Kumaga Camp area has flat ground and short walks suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer desert treks are rough and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Book camps through DWNP to support park management.
- Use refillable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Makgadikgadi Pans National Park?
Entry is tied to a campsite reservation (BWP 150–250 per night). Day‑only tickets are limited and cost about BWP 100–120; check current rates before travel.
What are the best hikes in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park?
The Kumaga‑Sowa flat walk (3–5 h) offers salt‑pan scenery and wildlife; guided night walks to see nocturnal animals are also popular.
When is the best time to visit Makgadikgadi Pans National Park?
The dry season from December to March provides clear skies, comfortable temperatures and the peak of the zebra migration.
Do I need a guide for a day visit?
Yes, any off‑site walking or wildlife spotting outside the campsite area requires a licensed guide.
Can I camp outside the designated sites?
No. Camping is only allowed at Kumaga or Njuca Hills campsites with a prior reservation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
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