ABOUT THE BIRDING

The Makgadikgadi Pans is a vast area of great seasonal change. During rainy season from November through March or April, it is typically flooded and largely inaccessible by vehicle. During this time the pans attract spectacular numbers of flamingos. It also features the greatest migration of Zebra and Wildebeest outside the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem. During dry season the pans become bone dry. Strong winds blow from August through October. The rains don't always appear during rainy season, and then the pans remain dry all year.

While much of the area consists of salt pans, rolling grassland plains and riverine vegetation are found along the Boteti River. This area attracts numerous animals during dry season due to the presence of permanent water. Numerous shorebirds are present, especially during palearctic winter. Among other interesting birds present are species typical of arid grassland such as Common Ostrich, Wattle Crane, Black Bustard, Burchell's Sandgrouse, Rufous-naped Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Eastern Clapper Lark, Sabota Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark, Desert Cisticola, Southern Anteater-Chat. Pools of permanent water are home to various wetland birds such as Red-billed Duck, Hottentot Teal, African Spoonbill. There is also an interesting variety of mammals such as Meerkat, Bushbuck, Springbok, Steenbok, and some predators.

LOCATION OF SITE

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is located midway between Maun and Nata on the Francistown Road in north-cental Botswana east of the Central Kalahari area.

OTHER LOCALES

• Bokaa Dam
• Central Kalahari Game Reserve
• Chobe National Park
• Gabarone Area
• Kgalakgadi Transfrontier Park
• Lake Ngami
• Linyanti Swamp
• Manyelanong Game Reserve
• Okavango Delta
• Phakalane Sewage Lagoons
• SE Botswana IBA
• Tswapong Hills