Chobe National Park
The Chobe National Park park is a protected nature reserve covering 11,700 km². It is Botswana's first and most diverse park. The park is located in the northeastern corner of Botswana and is named after the Chobe River which flows through the park and forms its natural border with Namibia. The park can be divided into four distinct parts: the Chobe River, the central plains around Nogatsaa, the Linyanti wetlands and the sandy savuti. Because each area has a unique ecosystem, it's like visiting four different destinations at once. For the greatest concentration of game, trek to the Chobe Riverfront, for the best chances of seeing predators visit the Linyanti swamps, or feed your soul in the remote Savuti area. Whichever part of the park you visit, you will discover that Chobe National Park is a true natural paradise. The lush nature of the park houses one of the largest concentrations of game in all of Africa. The park is known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, which seek the permanent waters of the Chobe and Linyanti rivers during the dry season. Throughout the year, zebras, impalas, baboons, blue wildebeests, kudu, giraffes, lions, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, warthogs, vervet monkeys, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles and even the white rhino can be found in the park. It is not uncommon to see the big five in one day. The park is also known for its wide variety of birds, counting as many as 450 different species. Chobe National Park is a highlight of Botswana for good reason. The deep blue Chobe River, the lush landscapes, the herds of hundreds of elephants and the variety of animals and birds will amaze you.
Highlights of Chobe National Park
Chobe Riverfront.
The Chobe Riverfront is a 50-kilometer area along the Chobe River in the northeastern part of the park. This is the most accessible and visited part of the Chobe National Park, being close to the town of Kasane and the Victoria Falls. In addition to the river, the landscape consists of lush floodplains and dense forests. Because of the large number of animals, the Chobe River is irresistible during the dry season. Whether you follow the river by boat or car, you will quickly lose count of the number of animals you encounter. From May to October, you can see large herds of elephant and buffalo bathing in the river and hippos and large crocodiles lazing in the river. Lions, giraffes, zebra, kudu, impala, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs also regularly show themselves here. The area is also home to many waterfowl and unusual species such as puku antelope and litschi waterbuck.
Nogatsaa
Nogatsaa is located in the northern part of Chobe National Park, about 70 kilometers south of the Chobe River. The central plains around Nogatsaa are very reminiscent of the Serengeti in East Africa. The landscape consists of vast grasslands, Mopane forest and deciduous forests. The area is a cluster of natural clay soil pans. These pans fill with water in the rainy season and are replenished with borehole water in the dry season, attracting lots of wildlife. Nogatsaa is a great place to spot moose. In this remote area, you can enjoy the tranquility and wide variety of wildlife. There are no campsites in this least visited part of the park.
Linyanti Swamps.
In the northwest of Chobe National Park and along the Linyanti River are the Linyati Swamps. This area consists of grasslands, riverine forests and waterways. With picturesque channels, lagoons, reed beds and papyrus cane, the landscape rivals the Okavango Delta in beauty. Because of the permanent presence of water, this beautiful, remote corner offers an abundance of wildlife. Large concentrations of lions, leopards, African wild dogs, roan antelope, sable antelope, hippos and herds of elephants can be found. Rarer species such as red lechwe, swamp antelope, African wild dog and Nile crocodiles are also found. Bird diversity is also high in this area. Linyanti is one of the most popular safari destinations for visitors seeking tranquility and getting off the beaten track. There is a public campground in Linyanti, but tour options are limited as most areas are private concessions. We recommend inquiring about road conditions and water levels before visiting the Linyanti area.
Savuti
In the southwest of Chobe NP, sandwiched between the Linyanti swamps and the Okavango Delta, lies the dry and rocky Savuti. The area looks desert-like and consists of grasslands, savannah and granite hills in which rock drawings of the San Bushmen can be found. However, Savuti also has drinking pools and a water channel that is mostly dry but has recently been re-watered. The canal connects the Linyanti River to the Savuti wetlands, a mini delta in the dry Savuti area. The permanent water sources provide a wide variety of wildlife and waterfowl. Savuti is known for lions attacking large herds of drinking elephants, a fascinating life or death struggle to witness. The area is also known for the annual migration of zebras and predators. Large groups of hyenas, cheetahs reside in Savuti throughout the year, while zebras, wildebeest and leopards are often seen.