Chobe Region

Chobe National Park encompasses most of Botswana north of the Okavango Delta and is the third largest park in the country. Named after the Chobe River and covering 10,566 km² of prime wilderness the park is divided into four distinctly different eco systems all with their own special attraction: Serondela (the Chobe Riverfront) with its lush flood plains and dense forests in the extreme north-east, the desert like landscape of the Savute Marsh in the west, the almost tropical habitat of the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west and, Nogatsaa and Tchinga, a hot dry hinterland.

Chobe National Park is home to Africa's, if not the world's, highest concentration of elephant as well as large herds of buffalo and Burchell's zebra. There are high densities of predators such as lion, leopard, spotted hyena and cheetah. The park also hosts the more unusual and shy antelope species like roan, sable, tsessebe, eland, red lechwe and the rare Chobe bushbuck and puku antelope. Other more popular species such as giraffe, kudu, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest and impala abound in the park. Because of the different vegetation types birdlife is absolutely fabulous with over 450 bird species recorded. The best time for bird watching is from September to March when many migrants come to southern Africa to breed.

One of Africa's most sought after safari destinations the Chobe Riverfront is where elephants reign supreme. Watch these magnificent animals in awe as huge herds of up to 300 make their way down to the perennial waters of the mighty Chobe River to quench their thirst, bathe and just have fun rolling around in the mud. Watching the antics of the babies as they climb on top of each other and swing their trunks around in sheer enjoyment is so entertaining and provides great photographic opportunities. During the dry season months of May to October the floodplains of the Chobe River supports large herds of Cape buffalo with ever present lion following in their wake.

Experience the beauty of the Chobe River and its many inhabitants from another vantage point as you drift along the waterways by boat. Being on the river allows you to get amazingly close to massive Nile crocodiles as they stretch out on the sandbanks, sunning themselves. Hippos are numerous so don't be surprised should the peace of the moment be shattered by the snort of a territorial hippo warning the boat of his presence. Sit back and make the most of that special moment as an elephant swims across the river using its trunk as a snorkel and be entertained by the riverside antics of large troops of baboon. At the end of a thrilling day the exquisite beauty of a Chobe sunset will leave a lasting impression and make you want to plan your return trip there and then!