Nxai Pan National Park | Botswana
Game Reserves: A sister to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and located close
by is the 2,578 km² Nxai Pan National Park. An unobtrusive turnoff, 136 km out from Maun
on the Maun-Nata road, or 65 km from Gweta turnoff if travelling from the east, leads for
a further 37 km over a deep sandy track to the Nxai Pan entrance gate. The sandiness of
this track should not be underestimated and only 4x4 vehicles should attempt the journey,
engaging 4-wheel drive before negotiating the deep sand.
Originally state land, an area of 1676 km² was declared a game reserve in 1970 and then
in 1992 the boundaries were extended to include Baines Baobabs to give the present total
area of 2578 km² and National Park status was granted.
The focal point of Nxai Pan is the water hole, situated in the midst of a large grassy
plain which is dotted with a few clumps of short umbrella thorn trees. Here, and within
the mopane woodland, lion, giraffe, kudu, impala, ostrich, fascinating birdlife and large
numbers of springbok, together with a good population of jackal, bat-eared fox and
numerous smaller creatures, are permanent residents. Once the rains have started, gemsbok,
elephant and zebra migrate to the area. At that time, zebra are present in thousands and
drop their young at Nxai Pan, rivalling the spectacle of the multitude of young springbok,
to further enhance game-viewing opportunities. Whilst many parks are not considered to be
at their best during the rains, Nxai Pan becomes a veritable Garden of Eden during the
rainy season. |
