Kwando Nxai Pan Camp - where to stay for pilots in Botswana

We sit in the sharp, cold early morning wind of the Botswana winter and enjoy a hot cup of tea.

Together with our guide Rogers and our tracker “Shoes” we will leave shortly for the morning game drive. In the open Toyota it is even chillier and we warmly welcome the rising sun.

“Shoes” is San. Long before black African tribes migrated here much of the region had been populated by nomadic hunters/gatherers, the San. The more popular name for the San is Bushmen.

Rogers and "Shoes" want to find the lion we heard roaring last night. We do not really believe that “Shoes” and Rogers will be successful ---------

There he is, relaxing on the grass, a majestic male lion.

In the area you also find large numbers of Springbok.  During rainy season Oryx, Elephant and Zebra migrate to the region. Giraffe are also often seen in the area in large herds with up to 30 in a group.

The sundowners on the pan are an unforgettable experience.

You can also do nature walks led by Bushmen or a day tour to the Baines’ Baobabs. The Baobabs are named after Thomas Bains who painted them in the 19th century.
We visited them twice by air. End of April 2013 they were completely dry and beginning of May 2018 they were flooded.

The Lodge is located in the north-west of Nxai Pan National Park. Nxai Pan is one of the greater Makgadikgadi Pan salt flats. A less visited destination, not as busy as the better known northern parks and reserves in the Okavango Delta or at the Chobe River.

Nxai Pan is a solar operated camp, no permanent power, no mobile phone coverage and no internet. This is an attraction for those wanting pure wilderness. Arrival and pickup arrangements are made by radio through the main office in Maun.

The airfield is well maintained.

The Nxai Pan Camp is still accessible by air during rainy season when the roads turn treacherous and may not be manageable.

We want to especially thank the highly engaged, very friendly und always happy staff.