Botswana salt pans
BOTSWANA
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
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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