11 Incredible Salt Flats with Otherworldly Landscapes

Badwater Basin
Photo by Kevin Schmid (Pixabay)

Salt flats offer some of the most stunning and surreal landscapes on Earth. From the mirror-like surfaces of Salar de Uyuni to the expansive beauty of Bonneville, these salt flats provide unique photographic opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Read on to discover 11 incredible salt flats that will leave you in awe.

1. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Reflections at Salar de Uyuni
Photo by Laurent Davoust (Depositphotos)

Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over 10,000 square kilometers in southwest Bolivia. This vast, white expanse creates a mirror effect during the rainy season, reflecting the sky so perfectly that it seems otherworldly. It’s a paradise for photographers seeking surreal landscapes, especially during sunrise and sunset when the sky and reflections feature beautiful colors.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Plan your visit for the wet season, from December to April, when the mirror effect is at its peak.

2. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA

Bonneville Salt Flats
Photo by Lindsay Snow (123RF)

The Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah are famous for their role in land speed racing, but they’re also a breathtaking destination for photographers. Covering about 30,000 acres, this salt flat offers a pristine, white surface that contrasts strikingly with the surrounding mountains. The flatness and vastness of Bonneville create endless photographic possibilities.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

To capture the best reflections and textures, visit Bonneville Salt Flats from late fall to early spring, specifically from October to March.

3. Atacama Salt Flats, Chile

Atacama Salt Flats
Photo by Jose Luis Figueroa Stephens (Depositphotos)

Situated in one of the driest places on Earth, the Atacama Salt Flats in Chile offer a stark, mesmerizing beauty. Spanning 3,000 square kilometers, it’s surrounded by dramatic mountain ranges and volcanoes. The surface is dotted with crusty, white salt formations and shallow lagoons teeming with flamingos, offering breathtaking scenes for photographs.

Photographers will find the Atacama Salt Flats especially amazing during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. The changing light paints the landscape in hues of pink, orange, and purple, providing a spectacular backdrop. Additionally, the clear desert skies offer unparalleled opportunities for night photography, with the Milky Way often visible.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

For the best conditions, visit the Atacama Salt Flats between March and November, when the weather is clear and the light is perfect.

4. Chott el Djerid, Tunisia

Chott el Djerid
Photo by Filip Fuxa (123RF)

Chott el Djerid is the largest salt pan in the Sahara Desert, covering more than 5,000 square kilometers. This expansive salt flat is known for its varying hues of white, green, and purple, caused by the presence of different minerals.

The surrounding sand dunes and palm trees provide additional elements to frame your shots, especially during the low light of early morning and late afternoon.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to photograph Chott el Djerid is from November to February, when temperatures are cooler and the light is optimal.

5. Etosha Pan, Namibia

Zebra at Etosha Salt Pan
Photo by nickdale (123RF)

Etosha Pan in Namibia is a vast, shallow depression covering around 4,800 square kilometers. During the dry season, it transforms into a shimmering, white salt flat, surrounded by the diverse wildlife of Etosha National Park.

The reflective surface of Etosha Pan provides stunning backdrops for wildlife photography, especially during sunrise and sunset. Herds of animals, including elephants, zebras, and flamingos, can often be seen crossing the salt flat.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

Visit Etosha Pan between May and September for the best wildlife and landscape photography opportunities.

6. Makgadikgadi Pan, Botswana

Kubu Island in the Makgadikgadi Pan
Photo by Ben McRae (Depositphotos)

Makgadikgadi Pan is one of the largest salt flats in the world, covering an area of about 16,000 square kilometers in northeastern Botswana. This ancient lake bed offers an otherworldly landscape of glistening salt crusts along with islands of hard ground and scattered vegetation.

During the rainy season, the pans fill with water, attracting flocks of flamingos and other bird species. This seasonal transformation provides unique photographic opportunities, from the stark, dry expanse to vibrant, water-filled scenes. The vastness of Makgadikgadi Pan, combined with its changing conditions, offers endless creative possibilities.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

For varied photography subjects, visit Makgadikgadi Pan from November to March during the rainy season.

7. Badwater Basin, California, USA

Badwater Basin
Photo by Kevin Schmid (Pixabay)

Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in North America, sitting 282 feet below sea level. This salt flat spans about 200 square miles and features a dramatic landscape of hexagonal salt formations against a backdrop of rugged mountains. The stark contrast between the white salt and the dark mountains creates striking photos.

The reflective surface of the salt flat adds depth and dimension to your shots, while the surrounding peaks provide a stunning backdrop. Badwater Basin’s unique geology and extreme conditions make it a must-visit destination for landscape photographers.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

For the best light and comfortable temperatures, visit Badwater Basin between November and March.

8. Great Rann of Kutch, India

Camel on the Great Rann of Kutch
Photo by Sanchita Chaudhary (Depositphotos)

The Great Rann of Kutch in India is one of the largest salt deserts in the world, covering about 7,500 square kilometers. The vast, open space provides endless opportunities for creative compositions, from wide-angle shots to close-ups of intricate details and patterns.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Great Rann of Kutch is from November to February when cultural events are held on the flats during the Rann Utsav festival.

9. Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, Australia

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, Australia
Photo by Vince Valitutti (Depositphotos)

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in South Australia is the country’s largest salt lake, covering an area of about 9,500 square kilometers. This ephemeral lake transforms into a massive salt flat during dry periods, creating a mesmerizing landscape of white salt crusts and endless horizons.

When the flat fills with water, it attracts a variety of birds, which is a great opportunity for photography. The contrast between the white salt and the vibrant colors of the surrounding desert provides stunning photographic opportunities, especially during the golden hours.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

For the best chance to see Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre filled with water, visit between April and October.

10. Salinas Grandes, Argentina

Salinas Grandes, Argentina
Photo by Kseniya Ragozina (Depositphotos)

Salinas Grandes is a vast salt flat located in the high plateau region of Argentina, covering an area of about 3,200 square kilometers. This dazzling white landscape is framed by the Andes Mountains, creating a breathtaking backdrop for photographs.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

For the best reflections and clear skies, visit Salinas Grandes between December and March.

11. Salar de Arizaro, Argentina

Salar de Arizaro, Argentina
Photo by Kylie Nicholson (123RF)

Salar de Arizaro is one of the largest salt flats in Argentina, located in the Puna region. This remote and lesser-known salt flat offers a pristine landscape of white salt crusts, surrounded by volcanic peaks and colorful mountains.

📆 The Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Salar de Arizaro is between May and September when the weather is dry and clear.

Final Thoughts

Salt flats offer some of the most unique and stunning landscapes on Earth, providing endless opportunities for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. From the mirror-like reflections of Salar de Uyuni to the expansive beauty of Bonneville, these incredible destinations are sure to inspire and captivate you.