Chobe National Park

Chobe - It changes with the seasons

I've been to Chobe National Park in many different months including May, June, July, August and September. It always amazes me how the vibe of the park and the wildlife seen changes with the months. In May and June, the waters of the river are high and winter has not set in. This sets the stage for great sightings of bee eaters, black egrets, and many other birds, but also creates a surreal world of elephants grazing shoulder deep on flooded islands. By late July/August, the migratory birds have gone, but many species such as fish eagles and yellow billed storks are plentiful. The lack of rain and lower river levels increase mammal density greatly. At any given time, you are likely to see giraffe, buffalo, impala, warthogs as well as hundreds of elephants. On the eastern Ngoma gate area, huge herds of zebra are seen in August. For a first time safari traveler or a photographer wanting clean backgrounds, Chobe is one of the best in the world.

Elephants, so many elephants!

Imagine your favorite animal: An animal that you've only seen on television or zoos until today. An animal that maybe was one of the reasons for you to go on Safari. An animal that you can't see enough of. And now imagine seeing it everyday from just a few meters away, so close you can almost touch it. That's Chobe.

I love elephants and I've seen so many of them in Chobe that - truth be told - at the end I was kind of sick of them. It was glorious.

Magical Chobe

We visited Chobe in the offseason (February) and I would recommend this time to travel for everyone! The weather was outstanding, perfectly warm with little humidity and clear blue sky! While the vegetation is high and makes animal viewing a bit more challenging, it is just that much more rewarding when you do spot something awesome or out of the "ordinary". We truly felt this gave us the ultimate safari experience and did not feel like an animal park or zoo. With that said, we're talking about the cats mainly, because there are big animals EVERYWHERE! Elephants, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, antelope of all sorts, hippos, crocs, Pumba and birds surround you as you enter the park from the Kasane side. We were able to do both an all day safari where we got about 60 miles into the park and the expansiveness and solitude become more apparent and a river cruise to give different perspective. There is nothing quite like seeing elephants play in water. Visiting during the off season also meant that we had very little traffic in the park and had nearly private game drives from our lodge. It was also baby time! Lots of young animals- especially baby elephants which may be the cutest! The park seems to be well managed and guides are respectful of the land and animals- we had such a wonderful, wonderful time in Chobe.

Chobe River Charisma

Boating cruise on Chobe River an exciting journey... the variety of wildlife a photographer's paradise !!! Scenery beautiful and weather wonderful; this was a 2nd visit and was as terrific as last year. Hope to return !

Check the weather before you go

Unlike guides in other parks (that I will not mention), the ones at Chobe National Park were professional, punctual and knowledgeable. Check the weather before you go. If it is raining, the safari will be cancelled so book a few days not just one day to be safe. Take a wind proof jacket on the safari, it is very cold even in the summer. Safaris are either during sunrise or sunset when animals are more visible.

Never seen so much elephants together!

We went to Chobe in December of 2014, and it was wonderful! We did a lot of other Safaris in Africa, including Kruger and Etosha, but in Chobe we could see much more Elephants. When I say "a lot", I mean dozen of them together, crossing in front of the car, or in the back, elephants so close to us that we could even touch them (of course we didn't!!). Other than Elephants, we saw a lot of Hippos, Buffalos, Giraffes and Impalas. I am not a bird expert, but there was a bunch of them too, including the Lilac Breasted Roller, national bird of Botswana.
The landscape is amazing, and watching the sunset in a boat cruise in Chobe River is a great experience! Bring some beers and Savana Dry with you, and stay there enjoying the beauty of that place, watching some crocodiles and hippos in the water, and elephants bathing theirselves.

River safaris are something unique you can enjoy here and in Okavango Delta. Approaches to wild animals could be very close and dawn in Chobe river provide amazing colors.

The Wildlife here is absolutely amazing! The narula beauty, especially by the Chobe River is excellent. Birding is just as great here. It is a popular destination though, and many tourists visit this park, but you will still experience a great bush vibe here.

Great accommodations, tons of wildlife, and managed very well. There is a reason that it is a popular destination, as all of these things are done well.

Wildlife, specially elephants are present in huge numbers. Also many species of birds can be seen. Excellent destination.