In the heart of wild Botswana emerges a realm that defies the ordinary. Sunrises cast a golden glow, revealing a mesmerizing expanse of cracked earth that stretches as far as the eye can see and Gentle Giants roam freely against the backdrop of a seemingly infinite horizon.
WELCOME TO NXAI PANS NATIONAL PARK
In the previous episode, we explored the Third Bridge area in the Moremi Game Reserve.
We had a few of the biggest rainstorms that we ever experienced in this area.
We also crossed some notoriously dodgy bridges.
Moremi and the Khwai region gave us some of the best sightings that anyone could ever hope for
With heavy hearts, we had to leave, but knowing that Nxai Pans National Park was our next destination made it a bit easier.
We stocked up and once again stayed over at Sitatunga camp just outside of Maun.
Hitting the tarred road after being in our type of paradise for so long, felt unreal. Luckily there were a lot of elephants alongside the main road as well which made the transition a bit easier.
Traveling from Maun on the A3, you will go through the VET Fence border control. Due to foot and mouth disease outbreaks, you are unable to take raw meat from west to east towards Nxai Pans.
From Maun, the main gate from the tar road is just over 130km, but as most of it is through a national park area, making the speed limit 80km/h, it takes you just under 2 hours to get to the gate.
We most afternoons at the main waterhole. This is the gathering point for elephants, and we must have seen Ellies by the hundreds. It was almost like they understood each other, making way when another herd came drinking.
We also had one of the most memorable sunsets whilst chilling in just one spot.
This episode might be different due to us showing way more elephants than we normally do, but we truly had an amazing scene right in front of us and we wanted to absorb as much of it as possible.
While we were starting the fire this very dangerous scorpion came out of the boma. Luckily, we noticed it in time as it was right where we were sitting.
Nxai Pans South Camp is operated by the Xomae group, which also manages Third Bridge in the Moremi Game Reserve. At reception, there is a tuck shop that sells wood, as well as some necessities that you might need.
Here you can find most wildlife, but unfortunately, their roads are slow going, so be sure to speak to other visitors to know where what was seen last.
The ablution facilities are well-kept and cleaned regularly.
There are 10 Campsites. They are unfortunately not spaced well, and when it rains there is an accumulation of water pools right on the campsites, but most have proper shade throughout the day. Our Favourite sites are 8,9 and 10 but they do come at the cost of having no shade and being further from the ablutions, but they are way bit more private. We stayed at campsite 8 on this trip.
After spending most of the day in camp, we headed out to see if we could find the lazy lion from the morning and planned to experience another sunset at the main waterhole.
As the saying goes: Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. We came to experience that a few times sitting for hours at the waterholes at Nxai Pans. The elephant sightings were as good or even better than what we experienced in the Moremi and Khwai, it even compared to Chobe. This was our last evening at Nxai Pan. The next day we would do a short morning drive and then head out of the park via Baines Baobab and stay over at Elephant Sands.
Our next destination to be used as a one-night stopover is the well-known Elephant Sands
Even here, the wet season, was in full swing
The lodge has a restaurant, bar and a plunge pool. They also offer activities such as game drives, bush walks, mountain biking and being able to visit the Makgadikgadi pans from here puts it in the perfect location.
There is one large open campground which is unfenced and a shared ablution. Each campsite has its own braaistand.
Equipment used:
Nikon D500 - www.ormsdirect.co.za/nikon-d500-dslr-body
Nikkor 200-500 - www.ormsdirect.co.za/nikon-af-s-200-500mm-f5-6e-ed-vr-lens
Nikkor 14 - 24 - www.ormsdirect.co.za/nikon-af-s-nikkor-14-24mm-f-2-8g-ed-lens
Nikkor 18 - 140 - www.ormsdirect.co.za/nikon-af-s-18-140mm-f-3-5-5-6-g-ed-vr-dx-lens
Rode Videomic GO2 - www.ormsdirect.co.za/rode-videomic-go-ii
GoPro Hero 4
GoPro Hero 10 - www.outdoorphoto.co.za/gopro-hero10-black
Hero 10 Media Mod - www.ormsdirect.co.za/gopro-media-mod-for-hero9-black
Rode Lav 2 - www.outdoorphoto.co.za/rode-lavalier-ii-microphone
Rode Wireless Go 2 - www.outdoorphoto.co.za/rode-wireless-go-ii-microphone-system
Benro Travel Angel - www.outdoorphoto.co.za/benro-FTA28AB1-travel-angel-aluminium-tripod-kit
GimPro Mk2 - www.gimprogear.com/product/door-mount
Music from;
Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/
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