Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is renowned for its large elephant population and diverse wildlife. Situated near the Chobe River, it offers both land and boat safaris.
The mighty Chobe River is the lifeblood of this remarkable wilderness and will undoubtedly become one of the highlights of your stay. Famous for hosting some of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephants and buffalo, the riverbanks come alive throughout the day as hundreds of animals gather to drink, bathe, play and socialise. Watching entire herds of elephants cross the river or young calves splashing in the shallows is an unforgettable safari experience.
To fully appreciate the abundance of wildlife, a boat safari is essential. The Chobe River offers a unique perspective that cannot be replicated on land, allowing you to approach animals closely while enjoying uninterrupted views. Early morning cruises are ideal for bird enthusiasts, with Chobe renowned as one of Southern Africa’s premier birding destinations. African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, storks and countless waterbirds are frequently spotted along the riverbanks.
Sunset cruises provide a completely different atmosphere. As the golden light bathes the landscape and the day cools, wildlife activity increases. Hippos emerge from the water, crocodiles bask along the shoreline, and predators begin to stir. Enjoying a refreshing drink while watching the sun dip below the horizon is one of Chobe’s most memorable experiences. Keen photographers will appreciate specialised photographic boats, often equipped with swivel seats and low-level positioning, providing exceptional opportunities to capture dramatic wildlife and landscape images.
Beyond the river lies a diverse landscape of mopane woodland, open floodplains and the sandy soils of the Kalahari. This varied habitat supports an impressive array of wildlife, and game viewing is rewarding throughout the year. Regular morning and afternoon game drives offer opportunities to encounter lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena, as well as giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala and numerous other antelope species.
While big cats are often easier to locate on game drives, Chobe offers the rare opportunity to observe predators from the water. Lions are frequently seen resting along the riverbanks or patiently waiting near wildlife crossing points, creating exciting possibilities for boat-based sightings. During the dry season, when animals congregate around the river, wildlife viewing can be particularly spectacular, with large herds and dramatic predator-prey interactions unfolding against the backdrop of one of Africa’s most iconic waterways.
Combining exceptional land-based game viewing with world-class river safaris, Chobe National Park delivers a safari experience unlike any other, where every day offers new encounters and unforgettable moments in the African wilderness.
Quite aside from the more “traditional” wildlife, few people realise that Chobe is part of the longest mammal migration in Africa: the Chobe-Nxai Pan zebra migration. Every year around 20,000 zebras make a round trip of nearly 1,000km, spending the dry months around the Chobe River from June until early November, before massing and returning south to Nxai Pan. Chobe is also a fantastic place to view some of the more unusual antelope like sable, roan, tsessebe, puku, oribi and lechwe.
The dry season from June until October is the busiest time in the park. For good reason – the dwindling drinking water concentrates the wildlife around the river and remaining water points, and the sightings are extraordinary. However, the green season offers its advantages, including the arrival of migratory bird species, a baby boom, and lower accommodation rates. During the height of the rainy season, many of the roads become waterlogged and difficult to navigate, so self-drive travellers would be well advised to plan their routes well and ensure some level of 4WD driving proficiency.
