Baines Baobabs

Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana

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Baines Baobabs is a famous group of ancient baobab trees located in Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana. Named after 19th-century explorer and artist Thomas Baines, the trees became well known after he painted them during his travels through the region. The cluster consists of several massive baobabs standing on the edge of Kudiakam Pan, a fossil lakebed that was once part of the ancient Makgadikgadi lake system. Some of the trees are believed to be over a thousand years old and have changed very little since they were painted in the 1860s. Set against the flat, open landscapes of the Kalahari, the baobabs are one of Botswana’s most iconic natural landmarks. Visitors are drawn by their striking appearance, rich history, and the opportunity to see wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, elephants, and predators that inhabit the surrounding national park.