Makgadikgadi Pans, Kalahari, Botswana
Formed when a lake the size of some European countries dried thousands of years ago, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans span thousands of square kilometres of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. But despite the vast expanses of nothingness, which is a must see in itself, there exists a surprising volume of desert adapted wildlife to spot, including of course the adorable meerkats.
We visited the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana Kalahari while on our recent African safari.
It’s a tough choice between the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Pans as the prime reason for visiting Botswana (in fact don’t even try, just make sure you visit both).
There are many reasons why the Makgadikgadi Pans are so popular, but the ability to see, and interact, with the local, human habituated, meerkat families really is an experience of a life time not to be missed.
If you are prepared to put in the time, the Meerkats may eventually become comfortable enough with you to pay a visit. Stay low (wear long pants, the grasses are surprisingly sharp and spikey), keep movement to a minimum and you may become a vantage point for predator lookout. Remember, they can touch you, but you can’t touch them. Oh, and big, broadbrim hats like D’s can be diffcult to ascend as this little guy discovered!
This post is a place holder at present, we are working on our photos and review and will update as soon as we can. Check back again soon :)
Having said that, if you are researching your next discerning African safari adventure, we can immediately answer the most pressing question…
Where to Stay in the Makgadikgadi Pans
For us it is hard to go past the famous Jack’s Camp.
It’s one of those iconic African safari lodges that most have heard of and any seasoned traveller to Africa would feel amiss if they must confess they have never been.
Read our review of Jack’s Camp.
