The great Pans region occupies the central-eastern part of Botswana. This vast desert territory is dotted with salt-bleached basins, sandy plains and rocky islands, forming the largest network of salt pans on the planet.

In stark contrast to the lush, green landscapes of the Okavango Delta, the Makgadikgadi Pans are home to two national parks, a sanctuary and various sites to visit:

The Makgadikgadi and Nxai National Parks are not the most visited reserves in Botswana, which makes them particularly interesting. They are a destination for enthusiasts: enthusiasts of birds and the migratory movements of mammals, enthusiasts of baobab trees, of which the region is home to some magnificent specimens, enthusiasts of timeless places who will make the journey of discovery to Kubu Island.

Size: 12,000 km² for the entire region, 3,900 km² for Makgadikgadi National Park and 2,100 km² for Nxai Pan National Park

When to visit: While the heart of the pans is inaccessible during the rainy season, the national parks can be visited all year round. During the dry season, zebras cause a sensation along the Boteti River, while sightings are more random in Nxai. However, the spectacle of the dry, cracked pans alone is worth the trip. Kubu is the ideal place for stargazing and photography.

Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards and giraffes are abundant along the Boteti River and in Nxai Pan, which is also home to animals adapted to desert conditions such as springbok, oryx, bat-eared foxes and meerkats.

Things to do: Self-drive safari, game drives, sleepout under the stars on the Ntwetwe Pan, meerkats encounters