1-Day Nxai Pan National Park Safari with Baines' Baobabs

1 Day Round trip from Maun Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Early morning departure to maximize wildlife viewing in Nxai Pan
02 Game drives around the main pan and waterholes in search of lions, cheetahs, elephants, and more
03 See the unique overlapping herds of springbok and impala
04 Picnic stop at Baines’ Baobabs, a classic Botswana icon on Kudiakam Pan
05 Afternoon sightings of giraffes, bat-eared foxes, and raptors as you return north

Set out before sunrise from Maun for a full-day safari into Nxai Pan National Park, timed to catch the best morning wildlife activity. With your guide, explore open pans and permanent waterholes as you search for signature predators and plains game in a dramatic, wide-sky landscape.

Midday, enjoy a picnic at the legendary Baines’ Baobabs on Kudiakam Pan—seven ancient trees made famous by Thomas Baines’ 1862 paintings—before continuing your game drive back toward the park gate and returning to Maun by evening.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Maun, Nxai Pan National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Early Departure from Maun and Full-Day Nxai Pan Safari

05:00 AM - Departure: Leave Maun early via the A3 highway to maximize morning wildlife activity.
08:00 AM - Arrival & Breakfast: Reach the park gate, handle conservation fees, and enjoy a packed breakfast.
08:30 AM - Morning Game Drive: Explore the main Nxai Pan and permanent waterholes in search of lions, cheetahs, elephants, and the unique overlapping herds of springbok and impala.
12:30 PM - Picnic at Baines' Baobabs: Drive south to the Kudiakam Pan to see the seven ancient baobabs painted by Thomas Baines in 1862.
02:30 PM - Afternoon Game Drive: Head back north toward the gate, tracking bat-eared foxes, giraffes, and raptors.
05:00 PM - Exit & Return: Depart the park gate and arrive back in Maun by evening.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Maun 2 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Round-trip transport: Pick-up and drop-off directly from your hotel or lodge in Maun or Nata.
4x4 safari vehicle: Travel in an open-sided, custom-built 4x4 vehicle equipped for deep sand traction.
Professional staff: A licensed local nature guide, and often a tracker, to locate wildlife and explain park history.
Park fees: All official Botswana Wildlife Department conservation entrance and vehicle gate fees.
Meals & drinks: A packed breakfast, a field picnic lunch at Baines' Baobabs, snacks, water, juices, and soft drinks.

What's Not Included

Alcoholic drinks: Premium spirits, wine, and beer are typically excluded from day-trip packages, though you can usually bring your own to store in the vehicle's cooler.
Staff gratuities: Tips for your professional safari guide and tracker are not bundled into the tour price.
Travel and medical insurance: Evacuation insurance for remote areas, such as Okavango Air Rescue, and general medical coverage are never included.
Pre/post-tour lodging: Hotel stays in Maun or Nata the night before or the night after your day safari are billed separately.

What to bring

Clothing & Gear
Neutral-colored layers: pack lightweight, breathable clothing in khaki, brown, or olive green. Avoid blue and black, which attract biting tsetse flies, as well as bright whites.
Warm jacket: essential for early morning departures when temperatures drop significantly.
Binoculars & camera: a telephoto lens (300mm+) is highly recommended due to the vast, wide-open landscape.
Offline maps: pre-download maps on Tracks4Africa or Google Maps, as cellular signal drops to zero past the gate.

Know before you go

Wildlife & Environment Realities
Stay in your vehicle: the park is completely unfenced. Never exit your car unless you are at a designated safe zone, such as the Baines' Baobabs picnic site.
Aggressive elephants: elephants frequently break the public toilet pipes looking for fresh water. Check your surroundings carefully before using the facilities.
Malaria zone: Nxai Pan is a high-risk malaria area. Pack DEET-based repellent and speak to a doctor about prophylactics before your trip.

Logistics