Chobe National park Travel Guide
A remarkable wilderness destination centred on one of Africa’s great rivers.
Chobe National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic national parks.
Sandwiched at the border of four countries – Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia – Chobe National Park is famous for boasting the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa, and offers an unforgettable safari experience both on land and water.
A safari in Chobe National Park can also be combined with a visit – for the day, or longer – to the World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls, little more than an hour’s drive from Kasane.
Motorized boat-based safaris on the Chobe River are the highlight of any visit to the Park, particularly in the dry season as wildlife flocks to this perennial watercourse to drink. Elephants throng the banks, hippo graze on lush grasslands, and the waters teem with crocodile. Birding is equally rewarding, with more than 450 species recorded in the region.
Unlike the Okavango Delta, a safari in Chobe National Park also offers the unique opportunity to spend a few nights afloat. A handful of luxury houseboats ply the wide, deep channels of the Chobe River, offering five-star accommodation and unique access to rarely visited corners of the national park.
Safari drives – particularly in the southern Savute region of the Park – explore the thick bushveld far from the river. This landscape is home to large herds of buffalo and herbivores, alongside healthy populations of predators; notably cheetah, wild dog, lion, leopard and hyena.
Want a break from the wildlife? Golfers can tee up for a round on the Mowana Golf Course in Kasane. This no-frills nine-hole course is located right on the banks of the Chobe River, so don’t be surprised if a few warthogs get in the way of your birdies.
While on safari in Chobe National Park you’ll enjoy nearly all of your meals in the comfort of your chosen lodge. You can look forward to a wonderful diversity of dining experiences, carefully planned to fit into your day’s safari activity. Dietary requirements and preferences can be catered for. Please advise on reservation.
If you’re staying close to the town of Kasane you also have the option of dining at the hotels and guesthouses in town, most of which overlook the Chobe River.
Layers: that’s the secret to being comfortable on an African safari. While mornings may start off cool, to stay comfortable as the day heats up you’ll soon want to swop a thermal fleece for light cotton clothing. On game drives neutral colours are best, and be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for impromptu bush walks.
Most lodges offer a safari boutique stocking personal basics (such as sun lotion and hygiene products), branded clothing and souvenirs, but don’t forget your camera, spare memory cards and charging cables. As most lodges are located in remote areas, ensure you have sufficient prescription medication before arrival at the lodge.
The dry months of mid-winter (May-August/September) are the best time to visit the Chobe National Park, as vast herds of thirsty animals congregate on the banks of the Chobe River. During this time expect warm cloudless days with cold nights, so pack accordingly.
Temperatures begin to climb in September and October, and by the time the summer rains arrive in November (until March) the region experiences extremely hot days, with afternoon thundershowers bringing heavy rain. While the wildlife disperses away from the river during the summer ‘green season’, this is the best time for birding due to the arrival of migrants.
Chobe National Park is a malaria area. Though the risk is lower during the dry winter months (June-September), anti-malarial prophylactics are recommended year-round. Consult your travel doctor at least three weeks before departure.
Need to get your bearings? Click here to find out where the Chobe National Park is situated…
Kasane International Airport is situated just a few minutes’ drive from Chobe National Park, with direct scheduled flights linking to international services at Johannesburg (1h45m flying time) and Gaborone (1h30m).
Private charter flights offer fast and convenient access to/from Maun, Livingstone (Zambia), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) as well as airstrips in the Okavango Delta.
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