More than 30 000 elephants – the largest concentration in any national park in the world- roam the vast open spaces of Chobe National park, a wild country of floodplain, baobab, mopane and acacia woodland, stretching across the endless face of Africa.
In this land of lumbering giants on the edge of the mighty Chobe River, visitors find rich rewards in the ever-changing panorama of animals. The park is huge, covering 11 700 sq km in northeastern Botswana. Flowing along its northern boundaries are the Linyanti and Chobe rivers, while in the south the Savuti Channel brings its precious cargo of water into the Mababe Depression.
Spurred northwards by the aching dryness of the Kalahari, massive herds congregate along the sumptuous and cooling floodplains of these rivers. In the north, legions of elephants wallow in the marshlands of the Chobe, joining squadrons of multicoloured birds that hover around the islands. Streams of buffaloes, pods of hippos and rarer species such as suni, puku and red lechwe, occupy the river banks.
In the southern part of the park, blue wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes and a variety of antelope form massive chains of animals on the endless plains of the Savuti and the Mababe Depression. Among the plains animals are the lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs.
Northeast of Savuti are the Ngwezumba Pans which, filled with water during the rainy season, become a major meeting point for thirsty animals, including the oribi antelope and a retinue of other species.
These wonderful natural spectacles are within the reach of tourists in Chobe National Park with a selection of superior accommodation, ranging from basic safari-tented camps to luxury lodges. All the game lodges and upmarket camps offer morning and evening game drives. There are a number of options to choose from; The Chobe Game Lodge with 45 luxury en suite rooms and four private suites; Chobe Chilwero; can accommodate 16 guests in tidy A-frame thatched bungalows; Chobe Safari Lodge has 22 thatched rondavels and a camping site; Linyanti Camp has 8 twin-bedded luxury safari tents; Allan’s Camp; has eight A-framed chalets; South Camp; has eight two-bedded safari tents in addition there are five public campsites, Serondela, Tjinga, Nogatsaa, Linyanti and Savuti;within Linyanti Private Game Reserve is King’s Pool Camp and Savuti Trails Camp. Walking through the park is not allowed, but the five-day Fish Eagle Trail includes a two day stopover in the park.
Fly-in safaris to the Okavango Delta, river cruises, tigerfishing on the Chobe River are all available. Get your camera ready to capture spectacular bush sunsets. The safari lodges are equipped with restaurants, bars, swimming pools, curio shops and river boats.
It is suggested that you pack light safari wear in summer, warm jackets in winter, sturdy walking boots, camera, binoculars and field guides.
To reach Chobe you will need to fly via South Africa to Maun, or Air Zimbabwe will fly you to Victoria Falls. From these most safari companies offer charter flights to Kasane. Game viewing is at its best during the dry season, when the majority of natural pans have dried up, and it is wise to avoid the Chobe River front during the heavy rains from January to March. It is also wise to note that no fuel supplies are available within the park and visitors travelling between Kasane and Maun should ensure that they are self-contained for the entire journey. All drinking water should be boiled or chemically treated. |
