“It is wrong to assume the Makgadikgadi is the same as a typical Kalahari pan, which
will bake in the sun for years afterwards, showing the scars left by a vehicle. I, for one, do not drive on those smaller Kalahari pans. Makgadikgadi is so expansive that it can be seen from outer space. Of course people will drive on it – to explore. Most of us do this in the dry season, leaving no scars at all. However, sometimes, as on this occasion, you get caught out by the rain.
The Makgadikgadi is a very shallow ancient lake which fills up in most areas during the summer rains. If it were not for this seasonal weather, there would be zillions of car tracks all over the place. This is not the case. I don’t like seeing my own tracks imprinted on the pan, but when the rains come, I know they will disappear.