2-Day Nxai Pan Safari from Maun with Baines' Baobabs

2 Days Round trip from Maun Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit and picnic beneath the iconic Baines' Baobabs at Kudiakam Pan
02 Sunset game drive along the pan edges with chances to spot cheetahs on the open plains
03 Dawn wildlife viewing at the South Camp waterhole, a key gathering point for elephants and giraffes
04 Campfire dinner and some of Africa's best stargazing thanks to minimal light pollution
05 Travel the thrilling deep-sand track into Nxai Pan from Maun

Escape Maun for a compact, adventure-filled safari into Nxai Pan, where vast open grasslands meet shimmering salt pans and some of Botswana's most evocative wilderness scenery. Travel the sandy track into the park to visit the legendary Baines' Baobabs, ancient giants made famous by artist Thomas Baines, then settle into camp before a sunset game drive as the light turns golden over the pan. With sunset and dawn game drives, you'll maximize your chances of seeing predators and plains game at their most active, from cheetahs on the hunt to lions and hyenas on the move. End the day with a campfire dinner and exceptional stargazing, then return to Maun after a final slow scan of the pans and waterholes.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Maun, Nxai Pan National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Maun to Baines' Baobabs and Sunset Game Viewing

07:00 AM - Departure: Leave Maun early to beat the midday heat and travel east on the A3 highway.
09:30 AM - The Sand Tracks: Arrive at the Nxai Pan turn-off, deflate your tires, and navigate the challenging 37 km deep-sand track to the park gate.
11:00 AM - Baines' Baobabs: Head south to Kudiakam Pan to marvel at the cluster of millennium-old baobab trees immortalized by Thomas Baines. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch in the shade of these giants.
02:30 PM - Check-In: Continue to your chosen accommodation, South Camp or Nxai Pan Camp, to check in and rest during the hottest part of the day.
04:00 PM - Sunset Game Drive: Drive along the edge of the main pan. Keep an eye out for cheetahs using the open plains to hunt, as well as the unique cohabitation of springbok and impala.
07:30 PM - Stargazing & Dinner: Enjoy a campfire dinner. The lack of light pollution here provides some of the best stargazing in Africa.

Day 02

Dawn Waterhole Wildlife Viewing and Return to Maun

06:00 AM - Dawn Game Drive: Wake up early when predators like lions and hyenas are still active. Head straight to the South Camp waterhole, which is a magnet for elephants and giraffes.
09:30 AM - Breakfast: Return to camp, pack up, and prepare to track back out.
11:00 AM - Final Pan Scan: Take a slow drive back toward the main gate, checking for bat-eared foxes and raptors scanning the grasslands.
01:00 PM - Highway Cruise: Reach the A3 tarmac road, reinflate your tires, and drive back to Maun.
03:30 PM - Arrival: Return to Maun in time for evening flights or your next destination.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Maun 2 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport: Round-trip travel from Maun in an open-sided, 4x4 safari vehicle.
Expert Guide: A professional driver and licensed tracker who handles the deep sand and spots the wildlife.
Meals & Drinks: Three full meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast), campfire snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, and local beer or wine.
Accommodation: Large canvas dome tents equipped with bed rolls, mattresses, pillows, and sleeping bags.
Activities: A guided afternoon game drive, a morning game drive, and a dedicated detour to visit Baines' Baobabs.
Park Logistics: All official Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) entry fees and vehicle permits are taken care of by the operator.

What's Not Included

Accommodation: An eco-luxury thatched suite on a raised deck with private pan views and indoor/outdoor showers.
Food & Beverage: Gourmet dining, afternoon high tea, and all premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Activities: Guided drives in open 4x4 vehicles, tracking walks with local San Bushmen, stargazing sessions, and day excursions to the Baobabs.
Lodge Perks: Daily laundry service and emergency medical evacuation insurance.

What to bring

Pack clothing in neutral colours such as khaki, olive, or beige.
Avoid bright white, dark blue, and black clothing during the safari.
Bring a warm fleece jacket, beanie, and scarf for cold early morning game drives.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap for sun protection.
Pack polarised sunglasses to reduce glare from the salt pans.
Carry SPF 50+ sunscreen and a UV-protection lip balm.
Bring mosquito repellent containing DEET or Picaridin.
Pack a lightweight bandana or buff to protect yourself from dust on the tracks.

Know before you go

International adult visitors pay BWP 500 per day to enter Nxai Pan, plus the applicable daily vehicle entry fee.
Pre-book your campsite if you are self-driving, as entry without a confirmed reservation is not permitted.
Pay park fees in advance or carry Botswana Pula cash, as card machines at the park gate may not work.
Be aware that Nxai Pan is a malaria-risk area.
Pack warm thermal clothing, a fleece, and a windbreaker for freezing nights between May and August.
Carry sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and polarised sunglasses to protect yourself from the intense heat and glare between September and November.

Logistics