The Chobe National Park is located in northern Botswana, well known for its large herds of elephant and cape buffalo gathering along the Chobe river during the dry months. This national park along with the Okavango Delta holds the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. Chobe National Park is the second largest park in Botswana, being one of the most accessible makes it an area frequented by tourists and locals alike.
The small town of Kasane near the borders of Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia is seen as a good starting point for tourists looking to explore this area, as most transfers throughout the park can be done from here. There is a large variety of accommodation to suit the need of any traveler, these include anything from wild camping in unfenced areas and houseboats to eco-lodges and luxury lodges. Game drivers and boat cruises along the river are very popular, if your camp or lodge does not offer these excursions they should be able to assist you in arranging or point you in the right direction.
The many waterways throughout makes for lush forests, woodlands, grass plains, swamps and marsh lands. This attracts a large amount of animals and birds making this one of the best wildlife parks in Botswana.
The park is divided into four geographical areas;
The Chobe Riverfront
Here you will find large herds of elephants and cape buffalo during the dry months along the riverfront. River cruises and houseboats scattered along the river is a great way to see and explore this area of the park, great for game viewing as most animals in the area makes use of this water source.
Linyanti Marsh
Located between the Okavango Delta to the south and Chobe National Park to the east, the Linyanti Concession offers fantastic landscapes and game viewing. Woodlands and bush along the Linyati river attract many antelope, lions and hippos.
Savute Marsh
When David Livingstone traveled through the region in 1851 he mentioned this area in his journal, where he referred to it as a dismal swamp. Floodable grasslands which attract many bird species and migrating zebras. The area has a history of drying up completely only to flood again years later, leaving the wooden skeletons of old trees making for some fantastic landscapes and a photographer’s dream.
Ngwenzumba Pans
These woodlands and grassland plains attract many elephants, usually forming part of the migrating route once the elephants have spend the dry season along the Chobe and Linyati rivers.