Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE PANS IN A NUTSHELL
The Sowa (Sua), Nxai and Ntwetwe Pans together make up the 12,000-sq-km Makgadikgadi Pans. While Salar de
Unyuni in Bolivia is the biggest single pan in the world, the Makgadikgadi network of parched, white dry lakes is
larger. Ancient lakeshore terraces reveal that the pans were once part of a 'superlake' of over 60,000 sq km that
reached the Okavango and Chobe Rivers to the far north. However, less than 10,000 years ago, climatic changes
caused the huge lake to evaporate, leaving only salt behind.
Northgate Lodge $$
Offline map
( 621 1156;
www.northgate.co.bw
; s/d/f P555/ 636/945; )
In the heart of town
next to the petrol stations, Northgate Lodge is more about breaking up the journey than
finding a remote base for a few days. The rooms are pleasant enough and excellent value.
Depending on your perspective, the location is either too busy or convenient, standing as
it does at crossroads that lead to all corners of the country. We lean towards the former un-
less you're travelling by public transport, but make up your own mind.
LODGE
Nata Bird Sanctuary Campsite $
Offline map
( 7154 4342; campsite per person/vehicle P35/15;)
Nata Bird Sanctuary offers several
serene and isolated campsites with clean pit toilets,
braai
pits and cold showers. All of the
five campsites are accessible by 2WD if it hasn't been raining heavily. From the camp-
sites, it's possible to access the pan on foot (7km), though you should bring a compass
with you, even if you're only walking a few hundred metres into the pan.
CAMPGROUND
Getting There & Away
Regular combis travelling en route to Kasane (P88, five hours), Francistown (P41, two
hours) and Maun (P76, five hours) pass by the Northgate Lodge.
GWETA
POP 7000
Gweta is an obligatory fuel stop if you're heading to either Kasane or Maun, although be
warned - its petrol station was closed for repairs when we passed through, so check be-
fore leaving Nata or Maun. The village itself is a dusty and laid-back crossroads on the
edge of the pans, framed by bushveld and big skies. The name of the village is derived
