Nxai Pan Flora and Fauna

A safari package experience in the Nxai Pan region allows you to see a little more wildlife than other parts of the desert. Unlike the Makgadikgadi, the environment of Nxai Pan to the north has a slightly greater density of flora and fauna.

Nxai Pan Flora

The surface is usually covered by grasses which are the favourite for the herds that graze here during the summer months. The most common tree variety in the area is the Acacia tree which is usually found growing in a cluster.

Acacia such as the Umbrella thorn (Acacia tortilis) and the Candle-pod Acacia (Acacia hebeclada) are most prominent in the sandy soils. Vegetation found in the Nxai Pan also differs according to the region. Toward the north, the soil takes on a more clay like character and due to the presence of greater moisture; trees such as the Mopane predominantly cover this area.

The salt pan region in Botswana is famous for another tree - the Baobab. The most renowned of these are the Baines Baobabs which have been icons for over a century. The trees were named after the British painter and pioneer, Thomas Baines.

Nxai Pan Fauna

During the first quarter of the year, the area is teeming with both large and small herbivores as well as predators. Springbok, Gemsbok, Eland, Wildebeest and Burchell's Zebra come to graze on the lush, sweet grasses around the salt pans. Large herds of Giraffe are found sampling the leaves of the Acacia trees. Toward the northeast section, smaller herds of Elephant have also been spotted feeding on the Mopane trees.

Predators such as Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, Wild Dogs and Wildcat can be seen year-around in this area. Visitors are sure to have many memorable Cheetah encounters as they hunt their favourite prey - Springbok. These graceful gazelles occur in large herds on the plain. The Nxai Pan is the perfect location for Cheetah which rely on their tremendous speed to make their kills and dramatic sightings are quite frequent.

Scavengers in the region include both the Spotted and Brown Hyena, whose eerie laughter is heard during the night when predators are hunting. The region is also home to a variety of Foxes and Jackals. Smaller mammals which can be encountered any time of the year include Porcupines, Aardvarks, Bush babies and Spring Hares.

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