Nxai Pan

Nxai Pan is the only permanent camp in the Nxai Pan National Park and is located on the western edge of the fossil pan from which it takes name, facing open grasslands. The biggest draw to the park are the zebras that migrate by the thousands to the area to drop their young – the second largest land animal migration in Southern Africa, during the summer after the rains have fallen.

The pan is also known for its huge springbok population, wildebeest, elephants and large groups of giraffe. Activities include a day trip to Baines’ Baobabs, which have changed little in the 150 years since Thomas Baines immortalized them in his paintings. Another favourite is the bushman walk where guests learn how the San used to hunt, gather food and collect water.

The camp’s nine tents face the waterhole, with the main area being the central best place for game viewing from the water hole. Frequent visitors to the water hole include elephants, cheetah, as well as the migratory herds of zebra (usually) from late December to early April, however this is entirely dependent on the summer rainfall in Botswana which affects the migratory cycle.

About the Nxai Pan National Park

Nxai Pan National Park was originally state land. This area of 1676 square kilometres was declared a game reserve in 1970 and then in 1992 the boundaries were extended to include Baines Baobabs to give the total area of 2578 square kilometres and National Park status was granted.

The Nxai Pan National Park is basically a salt pan. After a good rainfall water flows into the pan and on the grass country. The way into the pan should be travelled only by a all-wheel-driven vehicle. In the park there are two Campsites.
In Nxai Pan National Park there are two small public camping grounds with ablution facilities; one in the south on the edge of the plain, less than 2 kilometres from the entrance gate, and the other in the north, 8 kilometres from the gate, within mopane woodland. In addition to this, informal camping is permitted at Baines Baobabs, although no facilities are available and the nearest water supply is at the Game Scout Camp situated near the entrance gate.