6 days extension Botswana: salt pans, San, meerkats by plane

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6 days extension Botswana: salt pans, San, meerkats by plane

Extend your Botswana adventure by adding six days in the wondrous Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. This surreal part of the world, with both the massive dry salt pans and the winding Boteti River, offers rich, diverse wildlife that you can see on exhilarating game drives. In the neighboring and stunning Nxai Pans National Park, you can marvel at the gigantic Baines baobabs and the sheer endlessness of the plains.

Sandy way leading down to the water of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Sunset over Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana

Zebra walking in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

During a visit at the salt pans of Makgadikgadi, you can learn more about the unique flora and fauna of the pans when going on walks with the San, the oldest continuous people of the world. The stars of the pans, however? Quirky meerkats who have made the desert their playground. Get wrapped up in the unparalleled silence, see the earth’s curvature at the end of the horizon, and go back home with a big smile. What a magical addition to your holiday in Botswana!

Upon arrival in each lodge, you can pick two activities to do in this destination (included in your package). They are carried out by the lodge, and you will be joined by other guests, unless you book a private excursion. The links in the daily outlines below give you an idea of what’s possible.

: Yes, Botswana is a safe travel destination. In fact, it’s widely regarded as one of Africa’s safest countries, with a solid tourism infrastructure, low levels of corruption and a strong democratic tradition. As in any country in the world, there are some areas to better avoid, especially in big cities like Gaborone, Maun or Francistown.

Best talk to your guide or travel consultant if you plan to go to any of these areas. Apart from that, simply stick to the safety rules you’d follow anywhere else in the world, and you’ll have an unforgettable time in Botswana.
: A safari in Botswana is truly unique: it’s more remote, more immersive and holds both small and big adventures. With floodplains, deserts and everything in between it’s home to an unparalleled ecosystem. And the rich wildlife knows exactly how to thrive in it. While enormous elephant herds, predators and all the stars of a typical safari roam the north of the country (Big Five included), the dunes of the south are home to those who have adapted to the harsh conditions like the gemsbok, meerkats or hyenas.

In general, Botswana is all about authenticity. It’s renowned for low-impact experiences, protecting its pristine wilderness, and its traditional values with indigenous communities like the Kwhai or the San.
: At Africa Safari Trips, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your African adventures with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalised experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular African tours and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.
: If you’re looking for a safari that feels like two different planets on one map, Botswana is your spot. Up north, at the Okavango Delta and in Chobe, watch out for lazy or angry hippos (one never knows), thousands of elephants, and of course the Big Five. Other highlights are the African wild dog, the sitatunga, hundreds of different birds, and of course the who’s who of African wildlife.

In the south, around the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi Pans, wildlife is just as unique as the landscapes themselves. They set the scene for the massive Zebra Migration, black-maned lion and the striking gemsbok. The actual stars are much smaller though: it’s the hyper-alert meerkats. Watch these little fellas hunt, play and dig. And dig. And dig some more.

6 days extension Botswana: salt pans, San, quirky meerkats

Low season (March, April, May and 1st of November - 19th of December)

2 persons

$6,267.06 USD*

4 persons

$6,266.94 USD*

6 persons

$6,266.90 USD*

Mid Season (the rest of the year)

2 persons

$5,253.81 USD*

4 persons

$5,253.69 USD*

6 persons

$5,253.65 USD*

High season (January, July, August, September and 20th to 31st of December)

2 persons

$8,808.68 USD*

4 persons

$8,808.55 USD*

6 persons

$8,808.50 USD*

* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets

Here’s how your price comes together.

Included

Local guide
6 days
24/7 service
All accommodations
Drinking water in our safari jeeps
Full board
Mentioned internal flights
Park Fees
Pickup and transfer airport
Reservation costs
Fully accredited under SGR

Excluded

Visas
Travel insurance
International flights (can be booked for you on request)

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Itinerary

Day 1: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Day 2: Nxai Pan National Park
Day 3: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Day 4: The salt pans of Makgadikgadi
Day 5: The salt pans of Makgadikgadi
Day 6: Flight home from Maun International Airport

Day 1

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Characterised by open salt pans in the east and the life-giving Boteti River in the west, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park covers part of an immense salt pan system, stretching over more than 16,000 kilometers. The national park itself is almost 4,000 square kilometers, and during a game drive you can see wildlife congregating along the greens of the Boteti River, while the vast shimmering salt pans in the east give off an otherworldly vibe, dotted with nothing but quirky baobab trees. At night, the endless stars and distant lion calls make these pans feel both immense and alive—a truly unforgettable slice of ancient nature. And to top it off, you can dive into culture with a traditional village visit, just outside of the national park.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 2

Nxai Pans or sleeping under the stars?

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Choose between a day trip to Nxai Pans National Park and seeing the mesmerising Baines baobabs, or a drive to the salt pans of Makgadikgadi for a night of camping under endless stars. The choice depends on your hotel, as only the Moela Safari Lodge offers the Makgadikgadi sleeping trip.

Activities:

: Salt pans, golden grasslands and ancient baobabs; Nxai Pan National Park proves that simplicity can be spectacular. North of the Makgadikgadi salt pans, this vast landscape is known for its fossil pans, open plains and the iconic Baines’ Baobabs, standing proudly for over 1,000 years. During the green season, zebra and wildebeest migrations sweep across the park, followed closely by predators, while the dry months bring excellent wildlife viewing around waterholes. Add dramatic skies and superb birdlife, and you’ve got one of Botswana’s most photogenic wilderness areas.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 3

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Characterised by open salt pans in the east and the life-giving Boteti River in the west, the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park covers part of an immense salt pan system, stretching over more than 16,000 kilometers. The national park itself is almost 4,000 square kilometers, and during a game drive you can see wildlife congregating along the greens of the Boteti River, while the vast shimmering salt pans in the east give off an otherworldly vibe, dotted with nothing but quirky baobab trees. At night, the endless stars and distant lion calls make these pans feel both immense and alive—a truly unforgettable slice of ancient nature. And to top it off, you can dive into culture with a traditional village visit, just outside of the national park.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 4 - 5

The salt pans of Makgadikgadi

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

The Makgadikgadi can be a little confusing at first. The 3,900 square kilometres wildlife-rich Makgadikgadi Pans National Park forms part of the greater Makgadikgadi ecosystem, which spans more than 16,000 square kilometres. To reach the famous salt pans themselves, you'll need to travel further east, beyond the boundaries of the national park. Out on the pans, the scenery steals the show. Endless white horizons, absolute silence and a sense of space that's hard to put into words create an almost lunar atmosphere. This is the Makgadikgadi of unforgettable meerkat encounters, fascinating walks with the San Bushmen and game drives across the pans in search of desert-adapted wildlife. It's a completely different side of Botswana - so vast it makes you feel wonderfully small.

Accommodations:

Gold Camp Kalahari
Platinum San Camp
Diamond Luxury Jack's Camp

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 6

Flight home from Maun International Airport

As you board your flight home from Maun, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey through Botswana's most spectacular wild places. The memories of thundering elephant herds, sweeping salt pans, and golden delta sunsets will stay with you long after you land!

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now