Read 1 traveller review of Nxai Pan Camp

In February 2009 the Nxai Pan National Park's first permanent camp will open. The new camp will be called Nxai Pan Camp, and we are told that this will be a uniquely styled camp, overlooking a waterhole on the edge of the Nxai Pan. Before now, proper exploration of the Nxai Pans has only been possible on a mobile safari.

We will visit Nxai Pan Camp once it opens, but meantime here is some information on the area, and on the camp (provided by the camp's owners):

History of Nxai Pan area

Nxai Pan National Park lies just north of the Maun-Nata road and adjoins
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on its northern border. Nxai Pan was originally state land and an area of 1,676km² 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 2,578km² and National Park Status was granted.

The Nxai Pans were once part of the great lake that covered central Botswana – which included The Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi and Lake Ngami to name a few.
Livingstone passed this way during the middle 19th Century; traders and explorers soon followed and it became an important trade route. Kgama Kgama Pan, in the centre of the park, held water at that time and many travellers came here to rest and replenish their water supply.

In 1861 – the famous painter, Thomas Baines, passed through here, and painted an unusual group of baobab trees – one of which lies on its side. Since then this beautiful group of trees has became known as “Baines Baobabs”, and they remain almost exactly as Baines painted them almost 150 years ago. Other painters including Prince Charles have been captivated by these amazing trees and have also painted them. These are located on the southern side of the park.

Nxai Pan itself is another fossil lake-bed about 40km² in size. The landscape is largely covered by grassland and dotted with clusters of Acacia trees, with some mopane woodland in the north. During the rains (from November to April), Nxai's pans become covered in grass, and often covered in antelope attracted by the lush green shoots.

Nxai Pan achieved recent fame from the IMAX movie “Roar” – where Tim Liversedge and National Geographic filmed a battle between an aging lion and a young challenger, who wants the older lion's territory and pride.

Animals and Birds of Nxai Pan

Nxai pan is well known for its huge springbok population and once the rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebras migrate to the region. At this time zebra's come in their thousands to drop their young at Nxai Pan. Extraordinarily large herds of giraffe's can be seen with up to 30 in a group. These large herds of zebras, springbok, and wildebeest attract many predators – lion, cheetah, jackal and both spotted and the elusive brown hyena, as well as the endangered wild dog and the secretive leopard. There are large numbers of bat-eared fox and raptors that prey on the rodents and reptiles. At times, Rhino's have also been sighted. Also to be seen
are the eland, greater kudu and red hartebeest. Once the rains have started – the bird life is excellent.

Nxai Pan Camp

Our team haven't yet visited this new camp, but we're promised that it will be situated in the tree line – and have eight purpose-built desert rooms. The main area consists of a dining room, lounge area and a viewing deck. They will also have a swimming pool, library and curio shop here.

Activities:
Game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles are the mainstay, although there will also be historical tours to Baines' Baobabs and walking along the Pandamatenga Cattle Trail.

We will be updating this page once we have visited the new Nxai Pan Camp, but please call us for more up to date information.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 8 desert-built rooms (7 x twin, 1 x family room)

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: Two or three nights here would usually be ideal, and many trips will combine this with Kwara Camp or Little Kwara in the Okavango, and/or Lagoon Camp or Lebala Camp beside the Kwando River – all of which are sister-camps of Nxai Pans.

Geographics

Location: Kalahari's Salt Pans, Botswana

Directions: The camp can be accessed by 4x4 vehicles or you can fly. The airstrip will be approximately 5km from the camp and the flight time from Maun is approximately 25 minutes.

Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Kwando Safaris

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Children

Attitude towards children: Children under 8 years are welcome if exclusive use of the camp is booked. Families with children between 8 – 12 years must book a private vehicle for the duration of their stay.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Extras

Laundry facilities: 0

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