2027 – Pans and Plains #1
There are places in Africa where the land seems to stretch forever.
Where the horizon disappears into shimmering heat, where ancient baobabs stand alone on endless salt pans, and where the silence of the Kalahari is broken only by wind, wildlife, and the distant calls of birds.
Pans & Plains – The Makgadikgadi Expedition takes you deep into one of Botswana’s most remarkable and mysterious landscapes.
This Waypoint Adventures expedition explores the vast wilderness surrounding the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt pan systems on earth. These ancient lakebeds, formed thousands of years ago, create an otherworldly landscape of endless white horizons, remote wildlife areas, and some of the most spectacular sunsets in Africa.
Our journey begins in Maun, Botswana’s famous safari gateway. After gathering the convoy and completing vehicle checks, we head east toward the incredible landscapes of Nxai Pan National Park.
Nxai Pan is one of Botswana’s hidden gems. Vast grasslands stretch in every direction, attracting large herds of springbok, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe, while predators such as lion, cheetah, and brown hyena roam these plains. The park is also home to the legendary Baines Baobabs, one of Botswana’s most iconic and photographed natural landmarks.
If seasonal rains arrive as they often do during this time of year, we may also witness one of Africa’s lesser-known but spectacular wildlife events — the Makgadikgadi zebra migration. Each year thousands of zebra move between the Boteti River region and Nxai Pan, following the rains across the grasslands. This migration is the second-largest zebra migration in Africa, and when conditions are right it transforms the plains into a sea of black-and-white stripes stretching across the horizon.
From Nxai Pan we continue south toward the great Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where we explore the beautiful riverine forests and wildlife areas around Khumaga and Njuca. This region offers excellent wildlife viewing as animals move between the Boteti River and the surrounding grasslands.
The expedition then moves deeper into the pans, where we spend time at the breathtaking Lekhubu Island. This dramatic granite outcrop rises from the endless salt flats and is dotted with ancient baobabs that have stood watch over the pans for centuries. Few places in Africa feel as vast, surreal, and timeless as Lekhubu.
Our journey continues to Nata Bird Sanctuary, a seasonal wetland that attracts large numbers of flamingos, pelicans, and migratory birds when conditions are right. The contrast between the dry
WAYPOINT ADVENTURES (PTY) LTD Reg Nr: 2020/222005/07 www.waypoint-adventures.co.za Cell: 082 7852 433 Email: info@waypoint-adventures.co.za salt pans and these vibrant wetlands makes this area one of Botswana’s most fascinating ecosystems.
Throughout this expedition we travel remote sand tracks and gravel roads, exploring vast open landscapes and camping in some of the most remarkable wilderness locations in Botswana.
If the rains arrive and the migration begins, we may find ourselves driving through one of Africa’s great wildlife spectacles — thousands of zebra moving across the Makgadikgadi grasslands beneath enormous Kalahari skies.
Pans & Plains – The Makgadikgadi Expedition is a journey through ancient landscapes, big skies, wildlife migrations, and remote wilderness — a place where Africa still feels wild, raw, and wonderfully untouched.
EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS • Explore the vast landscapes of Nxai Pan National Park, home to large herds of plains game and powerful predators.
• Visit the legendary Baines Baobabs, one of Botswana’s most iconic wilderness landmarks.
• Experience the dramatic landscapes of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
• Camp beside the incredible Lekhubu Island, surrounded by ancient baobabs and endless salt flats.
• Experience the possibility of witnessing the Makgadikgadi zebra migration. • Visit Nata Bird Sanctuary, a seasonal haven for flamingos and pelicans.
• Travel remote sand tracks across one of the largest salt pan systems on Earth. • Experience the adventure of travelling with a small expedition convoy.
Country: Botswana
Dates: 2027-02-06 – 2027-02-20
From: R20 950 per person
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