Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
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Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
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| location | Botswana |
| surface | 4877 km² |
| WDPA ID | 1224 |
| Geographical location | 20 ° 36 ′ S , 24 ° 47 ′ E |
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| Setup date | 1972/1992 |
| administration | Department of Wildlife and National Parks |
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (English: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park ) is located south of the Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana . Makgadikgadi means "vast lifeless land".
location
The national park is located in the North West District of Botswana 160 kilometers from Maun in the direction of Nata south of the Nxai-Pan National Park and forms a unit with it, only separated by the asphalt road Maun-Nata. In the southwest its border runs through the Ntwetwe Pan, in the west the Boteti forms the border.
history
The area of the national park has never been populated due to the lack of water. Surrounding settlements received permission from the state to graze their cattle in the peripheral areas. In 1970 part of today's national park was declared a game reserve and in 1992 the game reserve was enlarged to the north to the asphalt road to 4877 square kilometers and made a national park.
In 1992 work began on damming water for the Orapa diamond mine , the largest diamond mine in the world , on the Boteti River . This leads to less and less water in the salt pans. In 2006, the Kalahari Conservation Society started a project together with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to expand the four existing water points for animals along the Boteti by a further nine water points.
landscape
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is part of the 16,000 square kilometer system of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans , which also include the Kudiakam Pan, Kgama Pan, Nxai Pan in Nxai Pan National Park , the Ntwetwe Pan and the Sowa Pan, which with Distance largest, belong. The salt pans are the remains of a large inland lake. In years with heavy rainfall, the salt pans can temporarily refill with water.
The national park is located on the northeastern edge of the Kalahari at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level.
In the southwest of the Sowa Pan, outside the national park, lies Kubu Island , a granite elevation with historical settlement remains. Kubu Island has been declared a national monument and is co-administered by the national park.
vegetation
Outside the salt pans, the national park is characterized by grasslands of a typical dry savannah and isolated bushland as well as unique palm forests (along the Boteti). In between there are isolated baobabs and camel thorns .
Wildlife
Along the Boteti there are elephants , zebras and in some watering holes with sufficient water near the river there are also hippos . The majority of the national park only has a significant number of animals in the rainy season, when the salt pans are filled with water, and is then known for its diverse bird life. During the rainy season, many animals migrate from the Okavango Delta via the Nxai-Pan National Park to the area of the national park.
climate
In summer (December to March) it is hot and the humidity is relatively high due to the rainy season. In winter there is a dry, mild climate. Temperatures often drop below freezing on winter nights.
Infrastructure / tourism
As in most of Botswana's national parks, the infrastructure for tourism in the national park is poorly developed. Those who are not self-catering with a tent or camper can only visit the national park with organized tours. The park is open all year round.
Park entrance
The driveway to the park entrance branches off after 160 kilometers from Maun and 45 kilometers before Gweta from the Maun – Nata road to the south. After eight kilometers of gravel road you reach the park entrance.
Streets
There are no paved roads in the park. Some slopes are sandy and only suitable for 4x4 vehicles . After heavy rains, large parts of the national park are not passable.
accommodation
There are no paved accommodations in the entire national park and only two unfenced campsites, as in all national parks in Botswana: one at Njuca Hills, 26 kilometers south of the park entrance, and the Kumaga Camp at Boteti, 48 kilometers southwest of the park entrance. Camping is also possible on Kubu Island .
care
There are no restaurants or supply options in the national park, nor are there any petrol stations. The next gas station is in Gweta, 45 kilometers away from the junction of the asphalt road.
Web links
- Description at botswanatourism.co.bw (English)