Where can I see the Zebra Migration?
The wildebeest migration is famous, but it’s not the longest animal migration in Africa. That accolade goes to the zebra that travel some 350 miles across Botswana from parts of the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi grasslands in search of fresh grazing. Like the short grass plains in the Serengeti, the grass in the Pans is nutrient rich, unlike that in the Delta. This makes it ideal for producing milk for zebra foals. It’s also a place with better visibility of predators than in the Delta.
Wildlife drive on the Makgadikgadi salt pans, Botswana, Meno A Kwena
During the dry season, Nxai Pan and the Makgadikgadi Pans are chalky white and almost devoid of vegetation. It’s a spectacular, haunting, landscape and in complete contrast to the watery wonderland of the Delta; just mile upon mile of shimmering white stretching endlessly towards the horizon. It seems devoid of life during the dry season, a misleading impression that masks the importance of this moon-scape to Botswana’s abundant wildlife, which is related to the richness of the grazing this fertile land produces.
Zebra herds, Makgadikgadi, Botswana
When the first drops of rain fall, the zebra throng together and start to move south in their thousands across the scrub-lands. As the summer rains increase and fresh grass begins to coat the surface of the pans some 30,000 zebra will congregate to give birth and graze. It is extraordinary viewing and perhaps one of the more engrossing migrations to witness. As ever, with such a great gathering of herbivores, there are plenty of predators in attendance too so a great opportunity to see the reality of Africa’s wildlife in the raw.
Elephant and zebra on Nxai Pan
A brown Hyena on the Makgadikgadi Pans
With the onset of the dry season, the herds make their way back to the Chobe River where they can graze the lush riverbanks from April/May until November when they migrate south again.
Jack’s Camp – a wonderfully stylish camp with fabulous views over the pans
Among the places to stay to witness this extraordinary event are Jack’s Camp, a wonderfully stylish tented camp with fabulous views over the pans; Nxai Pan in the heart of the migration country; or Meno a Kwena on the banks of the Boteti River.
Zebras seen from Meno a Kwena
There’s a second large migration in this region which consists of 20,000 zebra and wildebeest living in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, which spend the dry season close to the Boteti River on the western edge of the park and travel east to the fringe of the massive pans when the rains come. It doesn’t travel as far as the Chobe migration but it’s still a spectacular sight.
Meno a Kwena on the edge of the Boteti River
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Goliath Safaris[/caption]
Chad Katavi[/caption]
Jack's Camp[/caption]
Fabulous post.
Would April be a very good time to visit the Naxi Pans, the Makgadikgadi Pans and the Boteti River?
Do you do mobile tours of this region as interested in seeing migrations / large herds of African herbivores?
Went to northern Botswana in May – blown away by the experience.
Roger
Dear Roger,
Your enquiry has been passed on to a Botswana sales expert who will be in touch to help plan your Botswana family safari. Best regards Renate