Chobe National Park: Introduction
Chobe National Park is Botswana's second largest national park and is one of Southern Africa's finest game sanctuaries. The Chobe River is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and unspoiled rivers of Africa and it is a hub of wildlife activity.
The park spreads over 10,566 sq km of grassland, mopane and acacia terrain in the far north. It is home to a breath-taking variety of animals and birds; a combination of resident and seasonal species. Elephants dominate the land, while a whole host of water-loving wildlife flock to the riverbanks to drink.
Due to its close proximity to Victoria Falls (90 min drive), a Victoria Falls and Chobe sfari is a popular combination with visitors doing a day trip to see the FAlls. A variety of activities in Chobe National Park offer excitement for all sorts of guests, whether 4x4 game drives, or sunset river cruises are your thing.
Pods of hippo, herds of buffalo and a range of antelope are almost as frequent as the famous elephants, while top predators like lion and leopard are never too far away.
Locate the Chobe National Park
How to get there & Best time to visit
How to get there
Chobe National Park has several areas that can be visited. The most popular and accessible area is the Chobe Riverfront, which is just outside the town of Kasane. Sedudu Gate is 6km/4mi west of Kasane and 80km/50mi west of Victoria Falls. The drive from Kasane takes 10 minutes and from Victoria Falls it’s just over 1 hour*. Visitors to this area usually fly into Kasane International Airport (BBK), and self-drive visitors can pick up their 4x4 vehicle there. Domestic flights to Kasane can be booked through Air Botswana.
Most self-drive visitors begin in the town of Kasane, which is easy to reach. You can also drive to the Savuti area by 4x4 vehicle from Maun: it’s a two-day journey via Moremi Game Reserve and/or the Khwai Concession. Although the Savuti area can be reached by 4x4 vehicle in the Dry season (April to October), most people fly in by chartered plane to their lodge. There is an airstrip at Savuti, with charter flights by both Wilderness Air and Mack Air.
Another popular point of entry to the country is Maun International Airport (MUB). From here you can fly on to Kasane or even to Savuti Airstrip on a charter flight. Driving is also possible. The distance is about 600km/370mi and it takes around 7 hours*. Charter flights between parks will usually be booked by the tour operator as part of your tour package.
Best time to visit
Chobe National Park can be visited year-round as wildlife migrates through the park with the seasons. The Savuti area, in particular, is excellent all year. The Chobe Riverfront is best visited in the Dry season (April to October), especially from August onward. Although it’s extremely hot then, this is when animals are drawn to the riverbank as waterholes dry out across the park. During the wet months, many animals, zebras specifically, migrate to the Savuti Marsh.
Chobe National Park has a warm to hot climate, with a Dry season (April to October) and a Wet season (November to March). The coolest months are from May to August, and most rain falls between December and March. It is advisable to bring warm clothing for boat trips and early morning game drives.