Home to the largest elephant population in Africa, and the easiest of Botswana's parks to reach.
Enquire About Chobe National ParkChobe National Park protects the north-eastern corner of Botswana and holds the largest elephant population on the continent, estimated in the tens of thousands across the wider region. In the dry season the herds pour down to the Chobe River to drink, and the riverfront becomes one of the great wildlife spectacles in Africa.
What makes Chobe distinctive is the water. Game viewing here happens as much by boat as by vehicle, cruising the Chobe River as elephants swim between islands, buffalo graze the floodplain and hippo and crocodile line the banks. A photographic boat at eye level with drinking elephants is hard to beat.
The park has several sectors with different characters. The Chobe Riverfront near the town of Kasane is the busy, accessible heart; Savuti and Linyanti to the west are wilder and quieter, covered separately. The Riverfront's ease of access is both its strength and, in peak season, its drawback.
Chobe's position makes it the natural partner for Victoria Falls, just over an hour away across the border, so many trips pair a couple of nights on the river with the Falls.
Elephant define Chobe, in numbers that are genuinely hard to take in along the dry-season river. Large buffalo herds, lion that follow them, leopard in the riverine bush and abundant hippo and crocodile complete the riverfront cast.
The floodplains hold big concentrations of plains game, including the localised puku antelope at the edge of its range. Predator-prey drama plays out along the water as the dry season tightens its grip.
Birding is outstanding, lifted by the river and its sandbars. African skimmer, carmine bee-eater colonies and a long list of water birds make Chobe a favourite for birders as well as big-game travellers.
May to October, the dry season, is the time to come. As inland water dries up the elephant and buffalo herds gather on the Chobe River in enormous numbers, and the boat safaris are at their best.
The green season from November to April brings the rains, dispersed game and lush scenery, with excellent birding and lower rates. The riverfront spectacle is muted, but the park is quieter and greener.
The only lodge inside the national park itself, on the riverfront, with direct access to the best of the Chobe game-viewing.
Mobile-style tented camps that move with the game and place you away from the busier riverfront crowds.
Floating lodges on the Chobe and Zambezi offer a different angle, drifting with the elephants and watching the riverbank from the water.
A range of comfortable lodges in and around Kasane offer affordable bases for day trips into the park by vehicle and boat.
Camping safaris combine Chobe with Moremi and the Delta on a longer, more affordable overland route.
Chobe is one of the best places in Africa for elephant photography, especially from a low boat at the water's edge in golden afternoon light. Purpose-built photographic boats let you work at eye level with drinking and swimming herds.
Chobe suits every budget, from value lodges in Kasane to luxury camps and houseboats. Its easy access and short stays make it the ideal add-on to the Okavango Delta or to Victoria Falls rather than a standalone trip.
Chobe sits in the far north-east of Botswana, served by Kasane airport. It is around an hour and a half by road from Victoria Falls, which makes the two easy to combine.
We arrange every detail, from the right camp to flights and transfers. Tell us your dates and we will do the rest.
Plan My Safari WhatsApp UsNorthern Botswana holds the largest elephant population in Africa, and in the dry season the herds concentrate on the Chobe River, creating one of the continent's great wildlife spectacles.
Game viewing from a boat on the Chobe River, drifting past drinking and swimming elephants, buffalo and hippo. It offers low, close angles that a vehicle cannot.
Yes. Chobe is about an hour and a half from the Falls, so day trips and short stays combine the two easily. It is one of the most popular pairings in the region.
May to October, the dry season, when the elephant herds gather on the river. The green season is quieter and better for birding.
Two to three nights is usually enough to enjoy the riverfront by boat and vehicle, often as part of a longer trip including the Delta and the Falls.
No. Chobe is a malaria area, with most risk in the wet summer. Take prophylaxis and consult your doctor before you travel.
Tell us roughly when you would like to travel and what you most want to see. Every enquiry is answered personally by Jarryd, a former Sabi Sands guide and Head Ranger at andBeyond Phinda, usually within 24 hours. No set packages, no booking fees.
