The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

The Makgadikgadi National Park is a harsh and dry environment created in the mid 1980’s when the flood waters of the Okavango Delta started to decline as the region entered a cycle of low rainfall in the catchment area and the Boteti River, receiving less water, began to dry back progressively and drying up completely by the mid 1990’s.  The drought left only a few waterholes in the riverbed which are fed by underground seeps.  The zebra and wildebeest herds still continue to use the rich grass plains, migrating to the river at the end of the winter to gain access to the water in the seeps.  After the start of the rainy season, this desert area teems with wildlife as herds of zebra and wildebeest graze on the wide open green grassland plains of Makgadikgadi.  The area is great for birding and in the wet season there is an influx of migratory bird species while resident desert species welcome their visitors.