2,100 sq. km. Located in northeastern Botswana. Nxai Pan was once part of a great lake that included the Makgadikgadi. Now it is a grass pan with small islands of trees. It is most attractive during the rainy season (late February to April), when large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gemsbok can be seen on the open pan. By May the herds migrate southwards to Makgadikgadi until the start of the rains in November when they move north again. Nxai Pan is best known for its giraffe which at times number up to fifty in a herd. Cheetah are frequently seen. Other game include eland, springbok, impala, hyena, and kudu. Elephant and buffalo are occasional visitors during the rains. The pan is also excellent for bird viewing. Access is by road (4WDs). Accommodation is at a public camp site belonging to the Wildlife and National Parks Department. One must travel entirely self-contained.

3,900 sq. km. Established 1965 when Chief Letsholathebe Moremi and the Batawana became so convinced of the need to conserve wildlife that they set aside 3,000km2 of their ancestral lands for this purpose. Lies on the northeast side of the Okavango Delta. With habitats ranging from dry savanna woodland, through semi-desert-like knobthorn and Mopani forests, riparian woodland, floodplain and reedbeds to permanent papyrus swamp, it is reputed as one of Africa’s most beautiful protected areas, with a diversity of ecologies. The main attractions are the enormous range of birds and game. Some of the finest sights are the heronries on tiny islands which consist of little more than gomoti figtrees which grow from termite mounds with their roots below the water. Clustered at night in the tops of these thickets at Cakanaca, Gcobega and Gcodikwe are large colonies of night herons, ibis and egrets, marabou and other storks. The moremi flood plains are home to buffalo, lechwe, zebra, waterbuck, loin, cheetah, wilddog and hyena. Crowned and wattled cranes are also common. The use of boats for game-viewing and fishing is permitted. Access to the reserve is from Maun. Roads are not good and it is advisable to use 4-WDs. The South Gate is at Maqwe, just over 100 km north of Maun; the North Gate is on the Khwai River about 170 km from Maun. At times the reserve closes during the rains. There are several tour operators serving the Reserve, and accommodation is at camps and lodges.

2,500 sq. km. Once a great lake, probably as large as Lake Victoria, the Makgadikgadi is now dry save for ephemeral pools after rain. Its floor stretching for miles and miles over the horizon, is bare salt. These salt pans are the largest in the world and are clearly visible on most TV weather satellite photographs – appearing like clouds to the uninitiated. Travelling over the surface of the salt pan can be an extremely trying experience when one’s vehicle gets stuck. Several hours of digging may be required to free such a vehicle. The main attractions are the solitude one experiences out on the pans, and the congregations of birds, including flamingoes which come to breed, during the rains (summer months). Concentrations of game are to be found to the west of Ntwetwe. Accommodation available at designated campsites in the park.

3,900 sq. km. that includes some really remarkable country. In Sengaloga language the word ‘Mabuasehube’ means “red earth”. The focal point of the whole Reserve is the three large salt pans and several smaller ones, all separated by small sand dunes except for those at the southwest of each pan which are high and magnificent. The pans are starkly beautiful and reflect extraordinary colour changes as the day wears on. Large herds of animals especially eland and gemsbok come to lick salt from the pans. Predators too are frequent visitors.

The Reserve shares a boundary with the Gamesbok National Park. During winter and spring it is home to some of the herds which migrate from the west. Of the 170 recorded species of birds are large birds such as Kori bastard, secretary bird, eagle, vulture and buzzard. Water fowl visit the area after heavy rains.

The best time to visit is from July to September, although the park is open throughout the year.

The Reserve lies on the main road from Tshabong in the south to Hukuntsi. The road is navigable only by 4-WDs. Accommodation is at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks camp at Mabuasehube pan. One must bring all provisions and make arrangements with the Department in Gaborone or Tshabong (no phone) as the camp is not always occupied.