Botswana salt pans

BOTSWANA

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On the eastern fringes of the Kalahari lies a collection of huge fossilised salt pans – desolate flat landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Surrounding the pans are expanses of grass and thorn trees, with the odd island of tall palm trees. It’s a picturesque landscape, very photogenic and seductive.

The most popular salt pans are the Makgadikgadi Pans (including Sua Pan – and its rocky Kubu Island, bedecked in massive baobab trees) and Nxai Pan (where you will find the famous and starkly stunning Baines’ Baobabs).

‘Beyond the Big 5’ - including the 2nd-largest zebra migration in the world - and plenty of fun activities for families

Overview

Length: 4 days / 3 nights
Group Size: Flexible – you tell us how many in your party
Location: Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans, Botswana
Departure Dates: To suit you

from US$ 945 per person sharing (4 days)

Wildlife viewing is seasonal and dependent on water – with some of the pans flooding after early summer rains, with peak water in January to March each year (rain-dependent), resulting in a flush of grass, flowers and flocks of greater flamingos arriving to breed. This is also when the unpredictable zebra migration arrives to take advantage of the food and water. During dry times the wildlife that moves around the area in search of sustenance includes lion, cheetah, brown and spotted hyenas, springbok, hartebeest, ostrich, elephant and smaller species like black-backed jackal, African wildcat and bat-eared fox.

You could spend your time on the Pans enjoying a number of activities, including morning and evening game drives, visits to cultural sites, horseback riding, quad biking, bird-watching and spending time with traditional bushman learning their culture and ways. And then of course, arguably the most popular activity, is interacting with mobs of wild but habituated meerkats. These adorable creatures emerge from their burrows with the sun to sunbathe, forage for insects and generally carry on with daily life – with you in toe (discreetly) and your guide providing a running commentary on meerkat social habits and survival strategies.

Prices and dates

Lodge visited: Planet Baobab

Green season

10Jan to Mar2023

Per person sharing

US$ 945

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 1,495

Shoulder season

Apr to May &

Nov to 19Dec2023

Per person sharing

US$ 990

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 1,705

High season

Jun, Sep to Oct & 20Dec 2023 to 09Jan 2024

Per person sharing

US$ 1,040

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 1,770

Peak season

Jul to Aug 2023

Per person sharing

US$ 1, 065

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 1,810

Includes:

  • Meet and greet on arrival at Maun Airport

  • Road transfer from Maun Airport to Planet Baobab

  • 3 nights at Planet Baobab including breakfast and dinner 

  • Activities include Baobab bushwalk with sunset drinks, Ntwetwe pan expedition and Meerkat visit (without quads)

  • Conservation, community and reserve fee

  • Road transfer from Planet Baobab to Maun 

  • 24/7 Office support

Excludes:

  • International flights, airport departure tax (if required), excess weight charges and visas or entry permits

  • COVID tests

  • Optional Cattle Post Visit and Village Tour with traditional lunch included or full-day Zebra Migration Game drive with lunch included (inquire for rates)

  • Lunch and beverages

  • Laundry

  • Travel, cancellation and medical insurance (essential on all safaris)

  • Optional safari extension and any activities not specified in the itinerary

  • All charges of a personal nature and any other charges not indicated in the inclusions

  • Tips and gratuities

Lodge visited: Meno A Kwena

Green season

10Jan to Mar2023

Per person sharing

US$ 2,185

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 2,210

Shoulder season

Apr to May &

Nov to 19Dec2023

Per person sharing

US$ 2,765

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 3,690

High season

Jun, Sep to Oct & 20Dec 2023 to 09Jan 2024

Per person sharing

US$ 3,365

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 4,530

Peak season

Jul to Aug 2023

Per person sharing

US$ 3,815

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 5,160

Includes:

  • Meet and greet on arrival at Maun Airport

  • Return road transfer from Maun Airport to Meno a Kwena

  • 3 nights at Meno A Kwena 

  • All meals

  • Local drinks

  • Daily activities

  • Park fees & VAT

  • Laundry

  • Expert guiding

  • Activities include full-day and half-day game drives into Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, cultural walks with Kalahari Bushmen,  game viewing hide, fat bikes (12 yrs and up - max 4 guests, weather & fitness dependent), visits to the local communities (on request), day trips to Nxai Pan (10 Jan - 31 Mar), boating on the Boteti (Aug - Dec - water level dependent), zebra migration (Jun-Nov - weather dependent), Pans sleep outs (01 Mar to 30 Sept - weather permitting)

  • 24/7 office support

Excludes:

  • International flights (unless specified)

  • Excess weight charges

  • Visas or entry permits

  • Telephone calls

  • Travel, cancellation and medical insurance (essential on all safaris)

  • Optional safari extension and any activities not specified in the itinerary

  • All charges of a personal nature and any other charges not indicated in the inclusions

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Premium drinks

Lodge visited: Jack's Camp

Green season

10Jan to Mar2023

Per person sharing

US$ 6,255

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 6,280

Shoulder season

Apr to May &

Nov to 19Dec2023

Per person sharing

US$ 7,905

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 10,630

High season

Jun, Sep to Oct & 20Dec 2023 to 09Jan 2024

Per person sharing

US$ 9,105

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 12,310

Peak season

Jul to Aug 2023

Per person sharing

US$ 10,005

Per SOLO traveller

US$ 13,570

Includes:

  • Meet and greet on arrival at Maun Airport

  • Return flight transfers from/to Maun Airport to Jack's Camp

  • 3 nights at Jack's Camp

  • All  meals

  • Local drinks

  • Daily activities

  • Airstrip transfer

  • Park fees & VAT,

  • Laundry

  • Expert guiding

  • 24/7 office support

Excludes:

  • International flights (unless specified), airport departure tax (if required)

  • Excess weight charges

  • Visas or entry permits

  • Telephone calls

  • Travel, cancellation and medical insurance (essential on all safaris)

  • Optional safari extension and any activities not specified in the itinerary

  • All charges of a personal nature and any other charges not indicated in the inclusions

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Premium drinks

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Why us

Why us

We live here, in Africa, and have been doing this since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?

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