New scenery for Makgadikgadi Epic
Spira Tlhankane | Friday August 4, 2017 13:27
Exploring a big area like Makgadikgadi can never be attained fully by foot or even by an off-road vehicle. With Makgadikgadi Epic to be held from August 9-12, 2017, discovering the uniqueness of the pan is even better from above as the skydivers will be roaming the sky.
Formerly held at the Nata Bird Sanctuary, the sky diving fun event has now moved to Sowa Town in the Makgadikgadi area because of the past heavy rains. The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) in partnership with Parachute Association of Botswana and BOTASH brings the event, and it will be held in same area where the Race For Rhinos was held recently.
Most of the area now is covered in water but skydivers will land on the hard and salty surface of the pans next to the BOTASH Game Park. The abundant water shows what a gigantic, prehistoric lake Makgadikgadi once was. Even to make things better, the game park provides game viewing and animals like wildebeests, warthogs and zebras can be found there.
Recently, elands and rhinos were transferred into the park and the place is now a high security area. To make a beautiful contrast, the water lapping on the shores has a thin layer of blue-green algae while on the other side of the pan near the BOTASH mine the salt has a pinky feature on it.
Because of the abundant rainwater the place has also become an important habitat for migratory birds such as ducks and greater flamingos. Accommodation in Sowa town and Makgadikgadi area ranges from luxury tented camps and lodges.
Besides sky diving, the event will provide many things to do in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park such as Safari rides, boat cruise, game drives, bird watching and tour of the Gweta, Bush Walks.
The main entrance to the Park is between Sowa Town and the Botash Mine. The activities will include tandem skydive which costs P2,000, helicopter flips at P500, fun quad ride at P150, go-kart at P75, horse riding P100 for adults, P50 for children and bicycle rides at P50.