Baines' Baobabs
Seven giant baobab trees on the edge of Kudiakam Pan in the southern part of Nxai Pan. Painted by the explorer-artist Baines in 1862, the trees have changed little in more than 150 years.
This group of baobabs, also known as the 'Sleeping Sisters', consists of seven trees growing close together on a small sand island beside the white salt pan. They are estimated to be over a thousand years old. In 1862, the British painter and explorer Thomas Baines passed this way and painted them. Today, comparing his painting with the scene, you can still recognize the outline of each tree. At sunrise and sunset, their shadows fall across the salt pan, making this one of the most photogenic views in the Makgadikgadi region. Three campsites near the trees must be booked in advance, and they have no facilities at all. The trees lie inside Nxai Pan National Park, so park admission applies. From the main road, turn south and drive about 1 hour along deep sand. In the rainy season, you must take a detour route. A four-wheel-drive vehicle and GPS are essential.
Opening hours
Daytime (follows park opening hours)
Nearby sights
- Nxai Pan National Park
- Nxai Pan Waterhole
- Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (Boteti River)
- Planet Baobab (Gweta)
- Green's Baobab
- Chapman's Baobab
- Ntwetwe Pan Meerkats
- Makgadikgadi Pans