Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan National Park is a protected area in central Botswana that forms part of the greater Makgadikgadi salt pan region. It is characterised by broad salt pans and sparse acacia and baobab stands.

The park’s main attractions are its open salt pans and wildlife concentrations that follow seasonal rains. Short grasslands around the pans sustain herds of zebra and other grazers which, together with predators and numerous waders and waterbirds, are the primary draw for game drives and birdwatching.

The area is part of the wider Makgadikgadi ecosystem and has been managed for wildlife conservation and tourism by Botswana authorities. Traditional land use and the seasonal rhythms of the pans continue to shape how the landscape is used.

The park sits within Botswana’s Central District in the Makgadikgadi region and is accessed from regional gateways such as Maun and Nata. The terrain is dominated by flat pans, surrounding grassland and scattered baobab trees.

• Best time to visit: Seasonal rains transform the pans and attract large concentrations of grazing animals and waterbirds, while the dry season exposes the salt flats for walking and scenic drives.
• Photo point: The cluster of baobabs near the pan is a popular sunset photography spot and one of the park's most recognisable features.

What to See #

• Nxai Pan: The central salt pan that gives the park its name; a broad flat pan of seasonal salt crust and clay, exposed in the dry season and often covered by shallow water after rains.
• Baines' Baobabs: A small cluster of large baobab trees on the western edge of the pans that is a well known photographic landmark and local navigation point.