|
NXAI
PAN NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds & wildlife
habitats of the African safari region
of Nxai Pan in Botswana.
To request a private safari tour of the Nxai Pan in Botswana, click here >>> |
|
 |
|
 |
Nxai
Pan National Park lies just north of
the Maun-Nata main road and adjoins the Makgadikgadi
Pans National Park on its northern border. The
pan itself is another fossil lakebed about 15
sq. miles (40sq. km) in size. The landscape
is dotted with clusters of umbrella acacia trees
and mopane woodland in the north. During the
rains from November to April, the pans become
covered in grass - a landscape typical of the
Kalahari.
Livingstone
passed this way during the middle of the 19th
century and as traders and explorers followed,
it became an important trade route. Kgama Kgama
pan, in the centre of the park, held water at
that time and many travellers rested here and
replenished their water supply before continuing
across the Kalahari towards the Linyanti.
|
| The
famous artist Thomas Baines arrived in 1861, and
painted an unusual group of Baobab trees, which
became known as 'Baines Baobabs'. It is rare to
see these trees so close together and as one was
growing on its side, Baines named his painting
'The Sleeping Five'. The Green brothers passed
this way too and to this day their inscription
into the bark, 'Green's Expedition 1858-1859,
can clearly be seen. The Baobabs are not far from
the main road and are worth a visit, but be wary
of venturing there when the ground is wet.
|
ANIMALS
& BIRDS
Nxai
Pan is well known for a huge springbok population,
as the short-cropped grasses can testify, and
extraordinarily large herds of giraffe with up
to 30 in a group. Also to be seen are blue wildebeest,
gemsbok, eland, greater kudu and red hartebeest.
The more commonly seen predators are spotted hyena,
cheetah, leopard and jackal with the elusive brown
hyena a rare treat. During the rains buffalo and
elephants may also be seen. Once the rains start,
game viewing can be good and the birdlife is excellent.
The noisy black Korhaan who rises with a squeak
when flushed out by a vehicle, is a hallmark of
Nxai Pan and small raptors such as kestrel and
goshawks abound.
|
 |
| SEASONS
Rainy Season: November to April
is the hot wet summer season and the time when
Nxai Pan 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.
Dry Season: May to September
are more accessible times to be in Nxai Pan.
NXAI PAN SPECIALITIES
· Baines' Baobabs
· Springbok and giraffes
in large numbers
· Good birdlife in the
rainy season
· Wide variety of raptors
(birds of prey)
FACTS
Nxai Pan National Park covers
an area of 810 sq. miles (2,100 sq. km)
Other than at Baine's Baobabs, the park is not
frequented by many tourists
This is a malarial area
|
|
Follow the links below to Botswana's premier wildlife regions and game reserves
PRIVATE SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE NXAI PAN REGION |
|
Home | Game Reserve Index | Wildlife Checklist | Bird Checklist
|
