Here are five reasons why Chobe National Park should be on your travel itinerary.
Chobe National Park is an unspoilt safari playground, known for its incredibly diverse concentration of wildlife. It is precisely why it is at the very top of safari destinations in Africa. In fact, it has the highest density of elephants in the world! What makes Chobe even more spectacular is the chance to safari on a boat ride, inviting you to spot your favorite wildlife in a different way. I believe these 5 reasons to visit Chobe National Park will convince you to explore this Botswana wildlife haven.
Big 5 Safari, Nature & Wildlife, Waterways & Wetlands, Wilderness Walks, Cultural Immersion, Migration Safaris
Nature & Wildlife, Waterways & Wetlands, Cultural Immersion, Big 5 Safari, Dramatic Vistas
Nature & Wildlife, Big 5 Safari
Nature & Wildlife, Waterways & Wetlands, Wilderness Walks, Big 5 Safari
1.Explore Africa’s Biggest Concentrations of Game
One of the best reasons to visit Chobe National Park is for its abundant and diverse wildlife. It is Botswana’s most biologically diverse park. Up-close encounters with huge herds of buffalo and elephants make this safari experience completely different to others.
Chobe features different habitats which include bush, floodplain, grasslands, savannah, river wetlands and woodlands. Each habitat caters and supports an array of different animals and vegetation (and even that is a sight to behold!) Spotting the Big Five is on every African safari bucket list, and at Chobe you will get to see four of the Big Five: elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, and lion. There are no rhinos in the national park. There are plenty of other animals to look out for, like:
Large Wildlife & Predators
- Giraffes & Zebras
- Spotted Hyenas & Cheetahs
- Hippos & Nile Crocodiles
- Warthogs
Antelope Species
- Kudus, Elands, and Bushbuck
- Sable & Roan Antelopes
- Impalas & Waterbuck
- Red Lechwes & Pukus
2.View the largest concentration of Elephants on the planet
I’m not exaggerating when I say it is the best place in the world to see these gentle giants. From the comfort of your vehicle, watch an elephant family slowly wander across the road, planning to take a bath in the Chobe river. As you gaze at this breathtaking sight, you can hear the sound of heavy feet in the sand, the breathing and whiffing, and occasional trumpeting. Estimates vary as to how many elephants are in the park, but there are figures ranging from 50,000 to 120,000! The exact number doesn’t matter, what does matter is that you will have the greatest elephant sightings when you visit the national park.
The best months to see these majestic creatures are between August to October when the landscape is dry. During these months, elephants move between the river and the woodlands daily, congregating around the Chobe River in herds. Elephant herds usually range from 20 individuals to 300 individuals, and during these months it can go up to 500 individuals! It is magical watching these sociable creatures drink at the river, spurting water to cool off, and playing around in the mud.
3.Trade a safari game drive for a safari boat ride
A traditional safari game drive in Chobe is just as exciting and thrilling as any safari game drive in Africa. But sailing on a boat, along the Chobe River, is more magical than words can describe. There is a fantastical allure to floating on the water and spotting animals around you, like hippos and waterbuck. A boat safari offers a refreshing perspective of the park, bringing you much closer to certain animals than a vehicle would. One species you are guaranteed to spot is the African Jacanas, also known as lily hoppers for the way these water birds skip across the surface of the water on lily pads.
You will also spot:
- Nile crocodiles
- Elephants
- Buffaloes
- Sable antelopes
- Giraffes
4.Immerse yourself in bird paradise
If birdwatching is your forte, then look no further than Chobe National Park, which is renowned for being the home to more than 450 species of birds! In truth, whether you are an avid bird watcher or not, the beauty and distinct features of each species will make you excited when they cross your path (I am always in awe when I spot an ostrich up close!) Many of these bird species are migratory, so the best time for you to see them is from December to early March.
Be ready to spot:
Rare & Near-Endemics
- Bradfield’s Hornbills & Arnot’s Chats
- Southern Pied & Hartlaub’s Babblers
- Kurrichane Thrushes
Large Birds & Raptors
- Ostriches & Kori Bustards
- Martial & African Fish Eagles
- White-backed Vultures
- Saddle-billed & Marabou Storks
- Goliath & Squacco Herons
Colorful Small Species
- Malachite Kingfishers
- Lilac-breasted Rollers
- Carmine Bee-eaters
5.Easy to combine with a visit to Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls needs no introduction, being a must see for many as it stands as Africa’s most famous and biggest waterfall. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Vic Falls never fails to drop jaws at its magnificence. The local Tonga people call the waterfall “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, meaning “the smoke that thunders”. This refers to the roar of the water and the towering mist created by the falls as it flows down to the Zambezi River. Between February to May, the mist can rise over 400 meters (1300 ft) and is visible from over 30 kilometers (20 miles) away. To view the curtain clearly when the mist is lighter, visit Vic Falls in June or early July. The water level is still high, but the view is much clearer.
Combining Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls is one of the most seamless safari travel pairings, offering you the chance to tick off two bucket list destinations. Victoria Falls is close to Chobe National Park, about 80 km – 90 km away (roughly between 1.5-to-2 hour drive). Both destinations are connected by the Kazungula border crossing, making Vic Falls ideal for a quick day trip or a multi-day safari extension from Chobe National Park. Visiting both places offers you a balance between the thrilling, adrenaline filled activities of Vic Falls and the tranquil, dense game viewing of Chobe. With Vic Falls being home to all of the Big Five, you’d be experiencing a world wonder and a Big Five safari in one trip!
Your Chobe Safari Can Be Easily Combined With:
- Central Kalahari: watch as thousands of zebras pass through Makgadikgadi on Africa’s longest mammal migration, and immerse yourself in unique desert wildlife.
- Cape Town: nothing beats driving through the Garden Route to the spectacular Table Mountain.
- Kruger National Park: for a promise of the Big Five, Kruger is the place to be.
- Mozambique: experience the best of both worlds with an African safari and beach unwind.
- Okavango Delta: witness a rare inland oasis in Botswana that empties into the Kalahari Desert instead of an ocean.
There is so much to do and see in Chobe National Park. A Chobe safari, combined with a trip to Victoria Falls is the ultimate safari trip for local and international travellers. An overlanding tour is the best choice for an economical and sustainable way to explore the country’s highlights, including Chobe National Park.
N.B: This post was originally written by Sarah Duff on May 15, 2024. It’s been rewritten by Faatima Suliman on September 3, 2026.
