Located in northern Botswana and established in 1967, Chobe National Park offers a stunning array of wildlife. At 10,566 km² (4080 mi²), Chobe is Africa’s 13th largest national park and the third largest in Botswana after Central Kalahari and Gemsbok. The park is named after the Chobe River, which runs through the park and is a lure for the large concentrations of herbivores that come to drink, especially elephants.

Chobe wildlife

Chobe is home to several large animals and one can find four of the five big five here, with the rhino being the only one that has rarely been seen in this area. One of the greatest concentrations of elephants in all of Africa can be found in Chobe, and a safari here is guaranteed to have several elephant viewing opportunities. It is also possible to see lions, leopards and cheetahs in Chobe along with countless species of birds.

Botswana has a very well-developed safari infrastructure and offers a high-standard of safari accommodation. Because it is a national park, its gates are closed before sunrise and after sunset. This means game drives before dawn or after sunset are not allowed, which has resulted in most lodges being located outside the park. It is highly recommended for beginner and expert safari goers alike. Its proximity to other major tourist destinations, including: Okavango Delta, Central Kalahari and/or Victoria Falls, make it a highly desirable travel destination.

Of notable mention is the Linyanti Game Reserve or Concession. This small area of land is in the north western corner of the Chobe National Park, northeast of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Eponymously named by the river that runs through it, Linyanti is best known for the large numbers of elephant that roam the reserve. It has recently become one of the best places to see theAfrican wild dog, driven virtually to the edge of extinction—roughly 6600 exist in the wild today. Safaris here promise the true Botswana experience.

Savute Channel | Savuti Canal

The Savuti Marsh is located in the western portion of Chobe and is fed by the Savuti Canal, also referred to as the Savute Channel. The flow of water in this canal feeds the marsh. The flow is erratic and the channel can remain dry for years. Savute is known for its spotted hyenas and lions. It also has excellent birdlife and a wide variety of herbivores. To the west of Savuti is the private Kwando Concession, which is listed under Okavango Delta on YAS.

When to visit Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park has two distinct seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season starts around mid-October and runs through mid-March. As many of the safaris in Chobe are in a boat along the Chobe River, the increased precipitation often has no impact on ease of accessibility. The wet season does mean the concentration of animals is lower as water supplies become more abundant. The dry season, which runs from November through March means lower water levels and higher concentrations of wildlife.