Photo: Stefan Huchler, stefan.huchler@gmx.net, Genehmigung liegt vor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Vast salt pans covering 12,000 sq km in the Kalahari basin, remnants of an ancient super-lake. The blindingly white flats and seasonal flamingo-filled waters are striking from altitude over Botswana.
8Flight Routes
21 miClosest Pass
🤍 DesertType
Routes that pass it8
MPM → ORD
Right
ORD → MPM
Left
LGA → MPM
Left
MPM → LGA
Right
CPT → VFA
Right
VFA → CPT
Left
CPT → LVI
Right
LVI → CPT
Left
Tip: Visibility depends on cloud cover, time of day, and how close the flight path comes. Sit on the listed side for the best chance of a view. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Makgadikgadi Pans from a plane?
Yes — 8 flight routes pass within 37 miles of Makgadikgadi Pans. The closest routes include Maputo to Chicago, Chicago to Maputo, New York to Maputo. Sit on the Right side, with the landmark passing about 21 miles away.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Makgadikgadi Pans?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Makgadikgadi Pans: on a Maputo to Chicago flight, sit on the Right side; on a Chicago to Maputo flight, sit on the Left side; on a New York to Maputo flight, sit on the Left side.