Also known as ‘The Land of Giants’ due to its large elephant population, Chobe National Park occupies 12 000 square kilometres in the north of Botswana. Its northeastern corner meets with Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia and animals move freely between the countries, making the area ideal for an authentic Botswana safari.
Wildlife to spot on safari to Chobe National Park
The Chobe River is the life source for the wildlife in Chobe National Park and therefore a visual feast for safari seekers in Botswana. Chobe is divided into four ecosystems, each ensuring a distinct Botswana safari experience. In the extreme northeast, the Serondela area features lush floodplains and dense woodland. Between May and October, the Chobe River provides for excellent game viewing and observation of large breeding herds of elephants, as well as giraffe, sable and buffalo. The floodplains is the only place in Botswana where puku can be seen. Birders will delight with spectacular sightings of carmine bee-eaters, spoonbills, ibis and various species of storks. The Savuti Marsh area in the west of Chobe is fed by the Savuti Channel with extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands making for excellent wildlife viewing. The annual migration of zebras and following predators are a highlight of your Botswana safari in this region.
The riverine woodlands, open woodlands, lagoons and floodplains are characteristic of the Linyanti Marsh in the northwest corner of Chobe. You can expect to observe large concentrations of lions, leopards, wild dogs, roan and sable antelope as well as elephants and hippos on your holiday to Botswana. The little-known section between the Linyanti and Savuti Marshes is hot and dry. It is nonetheless a great place for spotting eland while on safari in Botswana.
Activities and experiences on a safari to Chobe National Park
Thousands of elephants, hundreds of buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, lion, and even leopard can be expected to be seen on a game drive through Chobe National Park. The buffalos and elephants are also known to swim to nearby islands, lush with vegetation, and safe from predators on the mainland. The wildlife can be experienced both by classic safari vehicle and boat cruise, each offering encounters of the up-close-and-personal kind while on a vacation to Botswana. The game in Chobe is very relaxed, allowing intimate viewings from both land and water. Kasane is the main gateway to Chobe, as well as being on the border of Zimbabwe. The border is a mere 70 kilometres from the famous Victoria Falls which you can explore on day trips and on activities like bungee jumping, white-water rafting or helicopter rides.
Chobe National Park Safaris with JENMAN
Discover an array of wildlife with our 9-day Botswana Sensations Safari with game drives and guided Botswana safari walks in diverse regions like Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans and Moremi Game Reserve as well as mokoro excursions in the waters of the Okavango Delta. The 15-day Intimate Botswana and Zimbabwe Encounter includes stops in the wildlife wonderlands of Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve. On your Botswana safari, you will also get to explore Hwange National Park, Matobo National Park and Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe.
