The first national park of Botswana, Chobe National Park is the ultimate travel destination if you want an authentic African safari experience. Covering an area over 4,500 square miles, the park has a diverse abundance of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, and some 450 species of birds. The park can be divided into three main areas, each with their own unique ecosystems and wildlife viewing.
Chobe Riverfront
Also known as the Serondela area of Chobe National Park, the riverfront and surrounding floodplain is the most visited area of the park. Located in the northeast territory of the park, the Serondela area is where you will find abundant wildlife drinking and bathing in the Chobe River especially during the dry season, as well as floodplains and dense woodlands.
Wildlife: elephants, giraffes, sable and buffalo can be seen watering along the riverfront. Puku antelope, spoonbills, ibis, storks, ducks and other varieties of water birds can be spotted in the floodplains.
Savuti Marsh
The next main area of the park is the Savuti marsh, situated in the western territory of Chobe National Park. The Savuti marsh is characterized by expansive savannahs and grasslands which are home to a diverse lineup of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. This area is famous for its annual migration of zebras and predators.
Wildlife: lions, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs, rhinoceros, warthog, kudu antelope, impala, wildebeest and elephants.
Linyanti Marsh
Located in the northwest area of the park, Linyanti marsh is home to woodlands, lagoons and floodplains, making it especially rich with bird diversity such as the lesser moorhen and the seasonal Carmine bee-eater.
Wildlife: leopards, lions, wild dogs, roan antelope, sable antelope, eland antelope, hyenas, cheetahs, hippopotamus, elephants, Nile crocodiles, and the rarer red lechwe and sitatunga antelopes can also be seen.
Best Time to Visit
In general, the best time to visit Chobe National Park is during the dry season, which is from April to October. The dry season is when wildlife viewing along the riverbank is at its peak, when herds of wildlife flock to the river to cool off. High season is from July to October, and the park can get extremely crowded, particularly near the river.
Getting Around the Park
Depending on your interests, you can explore Chobe National Park by boat safari, game drive, or self-driving tour. 4×4 vehicles are required to travel in the park and hours are restricted for self-drive tours. For spotting predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs, a game drive on the interior of the park is the way to go. However, one of the best ways to explore Chobe National Park is by boat, where you can often see an abundance of diverse wildlife cooling off along the shores of the river.
Click for river cruises to Botswana on the Chobe River. Browse Botswana Tours 2019 and 2020
