Chobe National Park

Chobe was Botswana’s first national park. It is in this national sanctuary that the country’s widest variety of wildlife exists.  It is the second largest park in the country, and it is well-known for its game, one of the largest concentrations in Africa! The geography of the park is divided up into four separate areas, each with its own distinctive eco-system: Serondela Area (Chobe riverfront), Savuti Marsh Area, Linyati marsh area and a dry hinterland.

History on the Park

The park was originally inhabited by the San Bushmen people. They were known in Botswana as the Basarwa (nomadic hunter-gatherers).   Their rock paintings can be viewed in the rocky hills of the park.  In 1967, the reserve was declared a national park, and by 1975 the entire area was free from human activity.

Accommodation available in the park

Camping

There are three main camps in Chobe, all of which require booking in advance:
Ihaha:  A new camping site built to replace the closed one at Serondela.  It is more remote than the other two.
Savuti:  Overlooks the Savuti Channel, which is currently dry.  Great for viewing wildlife, Savuti boasts one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the African continent.

Linyati:  The camping site built here is smaller and quieter than the others.  This camp overlooks the Linyati River, where hippos are often found wallowing.  This campsite is in the farthest corner of Chobe and the wildlife and birdlife is plentiful.   Only four by four cars should attempt to journey to this campsite.

All campsites are equipped with shower and toilet facilities.  As the roads are fairly primitive, a four-wheel drive car is essential.  As this is essentially a wilderness area, with no services between Kasane and Maun, tourists are advised to carry items such as water, food, fuel, torches, wheels, tools, jacks and pumps.  The road near the Chobe River is best.  There are no fuel suppliers within the park.  All drinking water should be boiled and visitors must take malaria tablets, as mosquitoes are rife throughout the park.

Chobe Under Canvas is another luxury tented camp.  This one boasts walk in tents with en-suite bathrooms and private butlers!  Game drives and guided nature walks are also available.

Elephant Valley Lodge is a luxurious tented camp near the Chobe River.  Game drives and boat cruises available.

Alternative accommodation

Chobe Game Lodge:  The only permanent lodge in the park is the

There is also luxury tourist accommodation in Savute, whose services include:
Swimming pool, private outdoor dining area, private outdoor leisure area, internet access, satellite TV, satellite phones on request, high powered telescopes, laundry service, and curio shops

Wildlife in the park

There is a diverse range of wildlife in the park, and a high concentration of game.  It has the highest elephant concentration in Africa, at a population of around 120 000.  Other major species in the park include giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, and eland. Predators include lion, hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox, cheetah and wild dogs.

The best time to visit the park

Dry season runs from May to October.  This is the best time to go, as the temperatures are warm and the roads are dry and firm.  The dry vegetation makes game viewing optimal.  The rainy season from November is hot (up to 30 degrees Celsius and higher) and many parts of the park can be inaccessible in heavy rainfall (usually January and February).  It is best to avoid the Chobe River during this time.

How to get to the park

All flights to Chobe land at the international airport at the town Kasane, situated at Botswana’s North-East border, by Zimbabwe.  From here it is a short drive to the park.