Chobe National Park Tours
Chobe National Park Tours take you to the north of Bostwana with one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the African continent. While famous for it’s 50 000 elephants, Chobe remains a fantastic destination even for seasoned safari goers.
Chobe is Botswana’s first national park and as well as the most biologically diverse. The park was established in 1968, and covers over 11,700 square kilometers. Animals like lions, leopards, wild dogs, Roan and Sable antelopes, zebras, hyenas red lechwe, cheetahs and 450 species of birds inhabit the park. Chobe is also diverse in it’s landscape with four different areas composed of grass woodland, two marsh areas and the Chobe Riverfront. We suggest you combine a trip to Chobe National Park with a visit to Victoria Falls, only an hour’s drive from Kasane.
From the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the cracked salt pan of Makgadikgadi, Botswana is full of natural wonders.
Chobe National Park Tours by length
Chobe National Park Tours by style
Highlights on Chobe National Park Tours
In addition to land-based game drives, don’t miss the chance to see wildlife from a boat on the river. Best to go late afternoon for the ideal light and the chance to catch elephants bathing in the river. You can often get closer to wildlife when you’re in a boat as opposed to being on land, so you’re likely to have some fantastic sightings!
Some of the animals you might see during a trip down the river include hippo, crocodile and a wide variety of water birds.
Wildlife
The Chobe National Park wildlife are best viewed from May to October offering an incredible diversity in the dry season. Rich with birdlife, giraffe, sable, cape buffalo and tsetsebe. The floodplains are the only area where you can see puku antelope, including an array of birdlife such as ibis, stork, duck and waterfowl.
Chobe is probably best known for its Kalahari elephants. This species are the largest elephants known to mankind. Their ivory tusks are rather brittle and short which is due to the lack of calcium in the soil. Their majestic size is overwhelming and they are surprisingly not shy of humans. During the dry season you might have the chance to witness hundreds of elephants during an afternoon game drive. Watch as these magnificent creatures make their way to the Chobe riverfront to drink, bathe and play while often blocking roads on the way.
On the banks of the river spot other animal species, including waterbuck, lechwe, kudu, roan, impala, warthog, monkeys and baboons. Followed by predators such as lion, leopard, hyena and jackal pursue their prey.
Chobe National Park Tours will also allow you to witness large concentrations of lion. Spot prides of lions all over the reserve along with other big cats such as cheetah and leopard. The cheetahs tend to inhabit the open grasslands and floodplains. Whilst the thick scrub, rocky outcrops and riverine forests are home to the leopards.
Chobe National Park is also a bird paradise with more than 450 species of birds found in the park. Many of Chobe’s bird species are migratory, therefore the warm and wet months of December to March are ideal for bird watching. Spot pelicans, cranes, plovers, giant kingfishers and the iconic African fish eagle.
Activities in Chobe National Park
The park offers camping sites perfect for an authentic experience in the bush. Guided mobile safaris allow for insights into nature as your experienced guides provide interesting information on the wildlife of the region. Animals roam the park freely, so take caution and dont leave food out at night.
There are various day trips available from 1 to 3 hours to full day game drives. Relaxing boat cruises along the Chobe River allow you to spot wildlife from a safe distance! There are also full day photographic mobile safari trips where you can test and improve your photography skills and take home wonderful memories.
After a long day of wildlife viewing you can unwind and relax at one of Chobe’s private lodges or unique tented camps for a touch more luxury. They support eco tourism educate guests about how to ensure they keep the natural environment intact by saving water and being a responsible tourist. Excellent service is offered by the staff ensuring a comfortable stay while you unwind over sundowners.
Botswana Highlights
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s greatest wilderness regions. Covering a vast 18 000 square kilometers of waterways and small islands which make up the biggest inland delta in the world. The diverse landscapes range from forests to floodplains, water channels and lagoons. With abundant wildlife including elephants, leopard, lion, cheetah, giraffe, wild dog, buffalo and over 400 bird species. Explore the beauty of the delta with a mokoro down the river or by foot, alternatively take a birds-eye view from a plane or helicopter. Either way this amazing wilderness will be etched in your memory for a lifetime to come.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The second largest wildlife reserve in the world is so vast and untouched that you’ll feel like you couldn’t be further away from civilization. Visit just after the summer rains and you’ll see huge herds of springbok and gemsbok along with other wildlife such as wildebeest and giraffe. In addition the landscapes are phenomenal with grasslands and the occasional sand dune as well as salt pan and river valley. The reserve is underdeveloped in comparison to Botswana’s other more famous parks and offers uncrowded wildlife sightings without any other cars.
Makgadikgadi Pans
Covering 16 000 square kilometres, the Makgadikgadi Pan in the northern Kalahari Desert is the largest salt flat in the world. The landscape is eerie and feels like you’ve arrived on a different planet. In the dry season, the pans are arid and blindingly white yet extraordinarily beautiful. One of the highlights of the pan is Kubu Island which is an island of granite rocks and old baobabs. Considered to be a sacred site by the local people, a mystical atmosphere pervades the island. Camping overnight here under a blanket of stars is a true bucket list experience!
Tsodilo Hills
This UNESCO World Heritage site has one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world, earning it the nickname of “Louvre of the Desert”. The Tsodilo Hills have massive rock formations rising out of the sand dunes of the Kalahari Desert. The caves and rock faces are adorned with over 4500 paintings, some of which date back thousands of years.
Tips for Chobe Safaris on a budget
African safari travel can be rather pricey if choose all-inclusive safari lodges along with guided game drives. However you can travel on a budget to Chobe by hiring a car in nearby Kasane and driving yourself around Chobe National Park. It is advisable to rent a 4×4 (which is much more expensive than a sedan) and you will need some 4×4 driving experience to tackle the sandy roads in the park.
Botswana has pricey luxury lodges and while these are expensive, budget options are far and few between. The best budget choice for Chobe is the Ihaha Campsite, which is within the park and offers great location with river views. Although this campsite is not fenced so you will have animals entering the campsite. You will also need to have a 4×4 to reach Ihaha. Just outside the park gates is Chobe Safari Lodge, this campsite has wonderful views of the Chobe River. Further towards Kasane there are a few other budget accommodation options on offer.
However the easiest and most affordable option is to book one of our budget Botswana Safaris. Our tours allow you to explore Chobe National Park on an overland truck with meals, accommodation and park entrance fees all included. Offering you peace of mind and fuss free travel through Chobe!
Our budget Chobe National Park safaris mostly combine travel to Okavango Delta and other nearby destinations such as Moremi and Victoria Falls. You’ll have the chance to camp inside the park and spend your days doing game drives and river cruises on the Chobe River.
When is the best time to visit Chobe National Park
The rainy season spans the months of November to March and is the best time to visit the park if you want to spot birds and see baby animals. Finding the best time of year to travel depends on what you want to see. Feel free to chat to one of our experienced travel experts to find out what will suit your needs.
Botswana Tours and African Safari Packages
