When is the Best Time to Visit Nxai Pan National Park?
The Nxai Pan National Park is north of the road called Maun-Nata in the northeastern portion of Botswana. The actual pan is a 40 square kilometer lakebed of fossils. Acacia trees and other types of woodland covers the area, and when the rains move in, the area becomes covered with grass.
Cheetah In Nxai Pans National Park
The Nxai Pan area can be a great place for a safari for those who love seeing wildlife in its natural habitat, and there are even camp areas and lodging nearby for travelers to take advantage of.
The Chance to See Wildlife in Nxai Pan National Park
Nxai Pan is open to visitors year round. The road, however, can sometimes be difficult to navigate because of the heavy rains. One of the central points animal lovers will want to check out in Nxai Pan is the watering hole. It is in the middle of a large and grassy plain, surrounded by thorn trees. In this area, people will have the chance to view animals such as cheetah, lions, giraffes,, springbok, impalas, ostriches, jackals, bat eared foxes, and an assortment of other creatures up close and personal.
African Elephant At Dusk In Nxai Pans National Park
Some parks in the area are not considered to be the best places for wildlife viewing during the heavy rains, but Nxai Pan is at its peak during these times. After the rains begin, the chances to see wild game can go up and the bird viewing becomes great.
You’ll want to keep your binoculars or camera in arm’s reach, because bird viewing is excellent in Nxai Pan. You can see the large black Korhaan, along with a few different kinds of raptors like kestrels and goshawks.
What is the Best Time to Visit Nxai Pan National Park?
September and October offer good wildlife viewing with cheetah and lions a highlight of a visit. Nxai Pan is probably at its best during the rainier time of year. In this area, the wet season is typically in the months of November through April. Game will be easily viewable this time of year, but if the rains are heavy, caution should be exercised as the roads may be harder to navigate if heavy rain is present.
Lioness With Cub in Nxai Pans National Park
Safari Camps and Lodging in Nxai Pan
There used to be no camps or lodging for tourists in the Nxai Pan area, due to the policy of Botswana Parks. This has recently changed, however, and safari companies will now have places to offer their guests to stay. There are camp areas in Nxai Pan, and there are some lodge options due to open in a short time.
You may be interested in checking out the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. You may also like supporting Round River Conservation Studies who are helping preserve local habitat.
