Makgadikgadi Salt Pans by Foot

What?
-----
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans traverse by foot. These pans are the biggest salt pan complex in the world. The route is 162km and I did it in 5 days.

When?
-----
Timing your walk well on this route is very important. The pans must be dry enough to walk on so you need to go a couple of months after the rains have stopped. In the months just before the rains will start (September and October) the heat will be unbearable as these are the hottest months and the temperature in the shade reaches over 35 degrees Celsius. The best time to go would be from mid July to mid August as these are cooler months when the pans are dry. You still need to stay out of the sun from 11am to 3pm.

Tips
----
* Cars can't go over the section of the salt pans on this route. It is too wet and will get stuck for sure even when the pans are driest.

* Take a groundsheet of something similar to make a shelter / shade cover when waiting out the mid day hours (11am to 3pm) when it is to hot to walk.

* Nights are cold so take something warm. And you want at least a sleeping bag rated for 0.

* If you plan to go completely unsupported and unassisted like I did you need to take at least 45-50 liters of water. To carry this amount of water I have used a human trailer you can see on some of the photos.

* The route ends on a major road and to hitchhike from here to a town with a campsite is easy. Getting to the start might not be that easy but lifts can be organized in big towns.

* If you don't want to carry your own water you might be able to find water on day 3 and 4 when you cross from the one south east pan (Sua pan) to the north west pan (Ntwetwe pan). Between the two pans there are people that farm cattle and they might be able to assist you with water. I spoke to some of the locals and they get borehole water which should be fine for consumption. Might be a good idea to take some purification tablets just in case. This is not a place where you want to get ill.

* For a full trip report visit: http://www.622208.com/expeditions/makgadikgadi-pan/diary-updates