Nxai Pan National Park is the Okavango-Chobe region of Botswana. The park protects Nxai Pan, which is one of the Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats.

Understand

History

The area around Nxai Pan was declared a game reserve in 1970. In 1992, the reserve's area was increased at it was given national park status. The park is contiguous with Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Landscape

Baines' Baobabs

The park is also home to the cluster of millennia-old baobab trees, Baines' Baobabs, which owe their name to artist and adventurer Thomas Baines, who painted the baobabs in 1862.

Flora and fauna

The park is home to elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah, kudu, springbok, impala, ostrich, Cape wild dog, jackal, hyena, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, and honey badger. The best time to see wildlife in the park is during the rainy season that runs from December to March.

Climate

The rainy season which is from November to April is the hot wet summer season and the time when the park is at its best. Game is abundant from December to April but if the rains have been heavy the roads may be difficult to negotiate. Road conditions can become difficult during times of heavy rains. The more accessible time to be in the park is in the dry season, which is from May to September.

Sleep

Nxai Pan National Park is administered by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), so camping is only allowed at designated camp sites, which must be booked in advance at the DWNP office in Gaborone or Maun. You will not be permitted into either park without a camp-site reservation, unless you're on an organised tour.