Where to stay in Nxai Pan National Park
2 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Nxai Pan National Park guide
Overview
Nxai Pan National Park lies on the northern edge of the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north-eastern Botswana. It was declared a national park in 1970 and was later expanded to include Baines’ Baobabs. It borders the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to the south.
The park is made up of fossil lake beds covered in short grass, with islands of acacia and mopane. Its most famous landmark is Baines’ Baobabs, a group of ancient trees on the edge of Kudiakam Pan that the artist Thomas Baines painted in 1862.
During the rains, the grassland turns green and attracts zebra, wildebeest and springbok, together with the predators that follow them. In the dry season, wildlife gathers at the waterhole near the main camp, which is one of the best places in Botswana to see elephants up close.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Green season
Large herds of zebra and wildebeest arrive with the rains, along with springbok, gemsbok, giraffe and eland. Lion, cheetah and black-backed jackal follow them.
Dry season
Elephants, especially bulls, gather at the waterhole near the main camp.
Birds
Kori bustards, ostriches, secretary birds and many raptors live on the plains.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: December to April, in the green season, when the herds and predators gather.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Apr | Green season | The best game viewing. Hot, with storms. |
| May – Aug | Cool, dry season | Clear days, cold nights. Elephants at the waterholes. |
| Sep – Nov | Hot, dry season | Very hot. Wildlife stays close to water. |
The sand tracks can become very deep. Travel in a 4x4 and carry recovery gear.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maun (MUB) | Most fly-in safaris | About 2.5 hours by road. |
By road
The turn-off is on the A3 between Nata and Maun, about 140 km east of Maun. From there, a 35 km sandy track leads to the park gate. You need a 4×4.
Entrance & Fees
Botswana's Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) charges a park entry fee per person per day, plus a daily vehicle fee. Nxai Pan is in the lower fee band, which covers every DWNP park except Chobe and Moremi.
| Visitor | Adult per day |
|---|---|
| Non-resident (booking privately) | P190 |
| SADC national / resident | P145 |
| Botswana citizen | P20 |
| Foreign-registered vehicle (under 3,500 kg) | P75 |
Children under 8 enter free, and older children pay about half. These rates come from the 2022 fee schedule, which is still in force: a rise planned for April 2026 was postponed. Lower rates apply on trips run by licensed Botswana tour operators. Campsites are booked and paid separately.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Botswana Tourism Organisation and DWNP fee schedule.
