National park · Botswana
Nxai Pan National Park
Enter Nxai Pan National Park: pay BWP 120 entry, drive from Maun (≈2 h) or Kasane (≈3 h), visit Baines' Baobabs early morning in dry season; avoid rainy months Dec–Mar for roads.
- 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
4,800 km² (1,853 sq mi)1,853 sq mi (4,800 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
- 4,800 km² (1,853 sq mi)1,853 sq mi (4,800 km²)
- Approximate total area of 4,800 km² covering pans and surrounding savanna (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Maun
Nxai Pan National Park protects a vast salt‑pan landscape with iconic baobab groves, abundant wildlife and few visitors, offering remote game viewing and scenic walks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected area within the Okavango‑Chobe region.
Size and age
4,800 km² (1,853 sq mi)1,853 sq mi (4,800 km²) · national park since 1992
Approximate total area of 4,800 km² covering pans and surrounding savanna (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Maun.
Why go
- See the iconic Baines' Baobabs on a short walk among vast pans.
- Spot large herds of elephant, zebra and springbok on the open salt flats.
- Experience a remote park with few visitors, especially in the dry season.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, good roads, wildlife active.
- FebDry, excellent game viewing.
- MarDry, clear skies.
- AprStart of rains, roads may soften.
- MayDry, but hotter; roads fine.
- JunDry, warm; good for baobabs.
- JulDry, cooler nights.
- AugDry, pleasant.
- SepDry, wildlife still visible.
- OctRain may begin, roads get muddy.
- NovRainy season starts, difficult roads.
- DecRain brings abundant wildlife; plan for slower travel.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, zebra, springbok, wildebeestAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lion, leopard, cheetah, hyenaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cape wild dog (rare)Dec–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Birds (ostrich, jackal, bat‑eared fox)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park headquarters (gate) | Entry gate, visitor information, vehicle check. | Open with entry permit. |
| Baines' Baobabs | Cluster of ancient baobab trees on a short walking loop. | Open; short walk from gate. |
| Designated campsites | Basic campsites with borehole water and pit latrines. | 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 are approximate centre of the park and key features; use GPS for exact locations.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, day) | BWP 120 | person | 2026 estimate; check at gate. |
| Designated campsite fee | BWP 250–350 | person | Must be booked in advance at DWNP office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Campsite reservation permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BWP 120
- BWP 250–350
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 Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Botswana) before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites with reservation.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Vehicle access
- Off‑road driving off the main track requires a guide and permit.
- Wildlife interaction
- Keep a safe distance; no feeding or approaching animals.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Designated campsites within Nxai Pan
Basic sites with water, pit latrines; self‑catering.
Near the park
Lodges in Maun
Range from budget hostels to luxury lodges; 2 h drive to park.
Safety
Road conditions in rainy season high
Wild animal encounters medium
Heat and dehydration 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
- Main gate and Baobab loop are reachable by standard 4WD; no wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Book campsites through DWNP to support park management.
- Do not disturb baobab roots; stay on marked paths.
- Use refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nxai Pan National Park?
Entry is BWP 120 per adult for a day; campsite fees are extra and must be booked in advance.
What are the best hikes in Nxai Pan National Park?
The short Baines' Baobabs loop (1–2 h, easy) and the longer wildlife drive along the main track (half‑day, easy) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Nxai Pan National Park?
Dry months May–September give good roads and clear skies; the rainy season Dec–Mar brings abundant wildlife but can make tracks difficult.
Do I need a reservation to enter the park?
Yes – a park entry permit is required at the gate, and any camping must be reserved through the DWNP office.
Can I drive my own vehicle into Nxai Pan?
A 4WD is recommended; off‑road travel beyond the main track needs a guide and a permit.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nxai Pan National Park
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