A traveller’s guide to the Chobe National Park

The ‘Land Of The Giants’ is home to Africa’s largest elephant population – comprising more than 10,000 kilometres square. The park has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, making it an ideal location for a safari and it is the third largest park in Botswana – after the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The park is located in the northern Botswana and its life-source is the Chobe River – which affor unique water based game viewing opportunities – such as the unforgettable sight of elephant herds swimming across the river, trunks raised.

The gateway to Chobe is Kasane. A small town sandwiched between Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibian borders as well as the Chobe National park. However, the park can be divided up into four sections – making it a true rarity and an explorer’s paradise. It can be divided up into the Serondela area, Savuti Marsh area, the Linyanti Marsh and the dry hinterland.

However, the vest elephant population has a significant impact on the park – thinning out the dense riverine thickets on the banks of the Chobe River. The huge bulk of these majestic animals requires almost 150 kilogrammes of fodder each day – with grass, leaves or even three branches making up their diet. Elephant herds rely upon their matriarch to lead them to the best feeding and water sites, with individuals seldom straying from each other. What is interesting is they are always ready to come to the aid of a family member who is in trouble.

When to go

Most visitors go to Chobe National Park for its famous dry-season game viewing. Rainy December to March summer months are the best time to visit Chobe for bird watching, the impala birthing season (great for predators) and to see the Savute zebra migration.

Where to stay

Bridgetown Resort

Bridgetown Resort offers 10 luxury suites – each with one bedroom en-suite facilities. However, each Bridgetown suite offers a lounge and kitchenette, a private patio and guest bathroom facilities. Visit this website to read more about the resort.

Camp Chobe

A view from the pool ��#campchobe #namibia #pool #view #travelgoals #instatravel #travelgram #adventure #explore #africa #elephants #wildlife #nature #chilling #chobenationalpark #ecolodge #poolgoals #camp

A photo posted by Campchobe (@campchobe) on Aug 19, 2016 at 11:50pm PDT

Camp Chobe is located only four kilometres from the Ngoma Border post between Botswana and Namibia. Since the camp is close to the park – you will be able to see a large variety of elephants passing by. However, visit this website.

Camp Kuzuma

The Five Luxury Canvas suites are connected to the main guest areas by elevated wooden walkways that protect and preserve the natural plant life around the camp. The main lodge area is home to an open plan bar, lounge and dining area. The main area extends onto a large wooden deck with a sparkling swimming pool that overlooks a floodlit waterhole that is frequently visited by an abundance of wildlife including elephant and lion. Visit this website.

What to see

Baby elephant sends you kisses) #Africa#africanamazing#nathalieafrica#nathalieanimals#chobenationalpark#botswana

A photo posted by Natalia (@nathalie_fleur) on Jan 16, 2017 at 8:29am PST

Chobe is surely the best place in Africa to see elephants, particularly in the water. There are 120,000 elephants in total in the park – equally large herds of buffalo to be found, In fact, both can often be seen outside the park boundaries wandering around the outskirts of Kesana itself, unperturbed by traffic or people. However, the park offers great lion and leopard sightings, while the river has an unbelievable abundance of hippo and crocodile as well as inconceivable wealth of birdlife – including a number of particularly rare species. Expect to sight approximately more than 75 mammal species and 450 bird types – including rare red-billed pratincole, guinea fowl and francolin dart. You may also encounter zebra, impala, waterbuck as well as predators – such as lion, leopards, cheetah and wild dogs.

What to do

One of the things that makes Chobe so special is the opportunity to experience and enjoy these magnificent part of Africa from a number of different perspectives through the range of activities that are available.

Game drives – is generally the best way to see the Chobe’s predators as well as the undulating and striking landscapes, ecosystem that stretch away from the river. Boat cruises, gives you the chance to see large herds of elephants crossing the river as well as the river’s sizeable hippo and crocodile population. You will also get the opportunity to enjoy fishing, photographic safaris package and guided bush walks that will get you up close with the wildlife as well as village tours.