Searing Thirstlands and Shimmering Mirages
A place of unparalleled serenity and peace, a place where man is dwarfed by the sheer size and silence of vast open spaces, a remote and wild corner of Africa. This is Makgadigadi and Nxai - a vista of shimmering mirages across a bleached landscape in Botswana's central region.
The remnant of a great lake which once covered most of Botswana, the Makgadigadi are the largest of their kind in the world, providing the traveler with a unique experience in a land of glaring, saline, sandy expanses.
Here, dust devils dance across the pan, while mirages play havoc with the imagination, as animals stand out in stark contrast to the white salt, their legs strangely elongated through the heatwaves and glare.
Contributing to this unique atmosphere is the complete silence, while in late afternoon, the harsh surface of the pans is transformed into magical rosy pink hues and tones as the sun sets on another day in Africa. In March and April, after the summer rains, waters from the Okavango flow into these pans, providing rich feeding for vast flocks of pelicans, flamingoes and other aquatic Botswana birds.
With them come vast herds of game - 5 000 head have been counted here - wildebeest, zebra, springbok, gemsbok, buffalo, elephant, lion, cheetah and hyena trek through these amazing wastelands.
Safari Lodges in these desolate and dramatic plains is in tented camps, with a cook and camphand to handle the chores, providing the traveler with relative comfort and ample time for reflection, meditation and musing.
Makgadigadi and Nxai are reached by vehicle or air charter from Maun, and are well worth incorporating with a visit to the lush wetlands of the Okavango Delta.
