Nestled in the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana is a land of extremes.

From the shimmering salt pans that stretch endlessly to the horizon, to the unique wildlife that calls this harsh environment home, the Makgadikgadi Pans are a truly unique destination.

One of the most enchanting and sought-after experiences in this remote wilderness is encountering the lively and charismatic meerkats.

As you approach the pans the landscape transforms into a surreal mirage. Vast salt pans, remnants of an ancient superlake, sprawl beneath the intense African sun. The sheer emptiness of the surroundings only heightens the anticipation for the unique wildlife encounters that await.

In addition to the surprising volume and diversity of wildlife that inhabits the region, the pans are home to a number of habituated meerkat colonies, allowing guests a rare opportunity to observe these captivating creatures up close in their natural habitat. The meerkats have adapted to the challenging conditions of the Kalahari, where the temperature can swing from scorching hot during the day to near freezing at night.

Upon reaching the designated meerkat meeting spot, guests are greeted by the sight of small, curious heads popping out of burrows. Meerkats are social animals that live in tight-knit groups called mobs or clans. The habituated groups in the park have become accustomed to human presence, providing a unique chance to witness their natural behaviours without causing disturbance.

As you sit quietly on the desert floor, the meerkats cautiously approach, their inquisitive eyes surveying the surroundings for potential threats. Soon, their innate curiosity takes over, and they scamper around, foraging for insects and small reptiles. Some may climb onto your shoulder or use your head as a vantage point to keep a lookout for predators

What makes the meerkat experience in Makgadikgadi Pans truly magical is the opportunity to witness their sentinel behaviour. One meerkat from the group assumes the role of a sentinel, standing on its hind legs to get a better view of the surroundings. This sentinel is responsible for alerting the group to potential dangers such as birds of prey or approaching predators. 

The meerkat experience is available throughout the year, but the dry season (May to October) is considered optimal for wildlife viewing. During this period, water sources become scarce, concentrating the animals around the remaining waterholes, increasing the chances of spotting not only meerkats but also other desert-adapted species such as oryx, springbok, and even the elusive brown hyena.

A number of other superb activities are also offered in the pans. From quad biking over the salt flats, sleeping out under the stars, traditional game drives, interactions with the bushmen, walking safaris, helicopter flights, and horseback safaris.

A meerkat experience in the Makgadikgadi Pans offers a glimpse into the resilience and adaptability of wildlife in one of the world's most extreme environments. It's an experience that we would highly recommend if you are lucky enough to plan a visit to this awe inspiring corner of Botswana.

Where to stay: A number of camps and lodges in this region offer meerkat interactions as part of your stay, though not all. Families of habituated meerkats can be found in the main Makgadikgadi Pans, and also Nxai Pan next-door, however several camps aren't close enough to comfortably offer the experience. Our favourite places to stay are Jack's Camp, San Camp and Camp Kalahari. Planet Baobab, Nxai Pan Camp are two other great properties that we are well acquainted with too. 

Please do get in touch if you'd like to find out more about this experience, or would like to plan a trip to Botswana to see the meerkats for yourself.