image Credit: Linda Anne Brown
Nxai Pan National Park is one of Botswana’s peaceful and beautiful tourist destinations. It is located north of the Makgadikgadi Pans and forms part of the larger salt pan system that was once a great inland lake. The park is known for its wide, flat grasslands, scattered acacia trees, and open skies that stretch endlessly across the horizon.
During the rainy season, between November and April, the pans fill with water and the dry land turns green. This change attracts many animals such as zebras, wildebeests, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. Predators like lions and cheetahs can also be seen hunting on the plains. Birdlife becomes very active too, with flamingos, pelicans, and other migratory species arriving in large numbers.
One of the most popular attractions in Nxai Pan is Baines’ Baobabs. These are seven ancient baobab trees named after the explorer and artist Thomas Baines, who painted them in 1862. They still stand today beside Kudiakam Pan and are one of the most photographed landmarks in Botswana.
Nxai Pan is about 160 kilometers north of Maun and is accessible mainly by 4×4 vehicles. Tourists often include it as part of a safari that also covers the Makgadikgadi Pans or Moremi Game Reserve.
The best time to visit is during the wet season for green scenery and migrating wildlife, or during the dry months from May to October when animals gather around waterholes.
What makes Nxai Pan National Park special is its calm and quiet environment. It is less crowded than other safari parks in Botswana, offering travelers a chance to enjoy nature in its pure and peaceful form. The sunsets are beautiful, the stars are bright at night, and the experience feels natural and unspoiled.