Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park, a sprawling wildlife sanctuary in northern Botswana, offers a premier safari experience distinguished by Africa’s largest elephant population and unparalleled river-based game viewing. The park is divided into four distinct ecosystems, with the Chobe Riverfront serving as the most accessible and populous area, where massive herds of elephant and buffalo gather, especially during the dry season from May to October. To the west, the legendary Savuti region is famed as a predator capital, where powerful lion prides clash with hyena clans and hunt large prey in a dramatic landscape of grasslands and skeletal trees. Further west, the Linyanti region’s riverine forests and marshes provide exclusive, crowd-free safari experiences with excellent birdwatching and wild dog sightings.

The quintessential Chobe safari combines two primary activities: traditional game drives and unique boat cruises. Game drives, conducted in open-sided 4×4 vehicles with knowledgeable guides, offer thrilling overland explorations where sightings of lion, leopard, and vast herds are common. For a different perspective, boat safaris along the Chobe River are considered some of the best in the world, allowing for eye-level photography of animals drinking and bathing along the banks. A variety of tour options are available, from short three-hour excursions to full-day and multi-day adventures, including private guided safaris and immersive camping trips. For a truly unique stay, several luxurious houseboats, like the Zambezi Queen, function as floating boutique hotels on the river.

Accommodation within Chobe ranges from rustic campsites to ultra-luxurious lodges, with key strategic considerations for location. Staying inside the national park, at lodges such as the eco-friendly Chobe Game Lodge, grants a significant advantage: early morning access to game drives before the park opens to the public. Many visitors, however, base themselves in the bustling gateway town of Kasane, just outside the park, which offers a wider range of hotels and easy access to the main gate. Notable luxury options include Savute Safari Lodge for its elephant sightings, Ngoma Safari Lodge for panoramic river views, and tented camps like Chobe Under Canvas for a comfortable “glamping” experience under the stars.

For trip planning, the peak dry season (July-October) delivers the most reliable and concentrated game viewing as animals congregate around permanent water sources, though this period is also the busiest. The rainy “green season” (November-April) offers lush scenery, spectacular birdwatching with over 450 species, and the chance to witness the zebra migration, often with fewer visitors and lower rates. Chobe is easily combined with other iconic Southern African destinations; it is roughly a 90-minute drive from Victoria Falls, and connects well via flight or guided tour to the Okavango Delta.