Chobe National Park

The Chobe River is the life support of thousands of animals, as well as the surrounding villages, especially during the dry winter months. As the Chobe River attracts animals from huge distances which migrate to the area during the dry months, at some times of year the concentration of wildlife is bewildering, with extensive herds of buffalo, big prides of lion, and any number of other species, including the rare and exquisite Sable antelope. The river joins with the mighty Zambezi few kilometres downstream from Kasane, at Kazangula, where 4 countries' borders meet. The water then flows about 60 km's until it drops down over Victoria Falls.

No trip to Botswana is complete without a boat cruise on the Chobe River, which glides you past pods of hippos, enormous crocodiles, water monitors, beautiful water birds and fish eagles and often swimming herds of elephants. While taking a cruise in the morning will allow you to explore the river without many other boats, the evening cruises offer you one of the best sunsets in Africa, and are great for getting you up close to the drinking or swimming elephants. You will have chances to view animals coming down to drink, and drift right next to stunning birdlife and relaxing reptiles.

Admittedly, game drives in Chobe National Park can be relatively busy due to the limited road network, and the fact that the majority of the action occurs along the river front, so most drivers take advantage of that. However, if you understand and are prepared for it, you will soon realise why Chobe is such a popular park. On entering the park you will soon be surrounded by elephant and buffalo herds, alongside towers of giraffe, and often right next to beautiful prides of lion. Being able to view wildlife from both the shores and the water offers a unique combination of game drives and river boat cruises.

Many of the lodges in the area of Chobe National Park offer private boat cruises and fishing excursions. Try your hand at catching tiger fish, or the more common (and easier to catch!) bream, while still enjoying great game viewing from your boat.

With Victoria Falls being only a 1 hour drive away, it is very easy to combine a visit to Chobe National Park with a day trip to the Falls. Or vice versa. Most of the lodges offer day trips which will take you into Zimbabwe or Zambia, give you time for a guided tour of the Falls and an activity, before bringing you back into Botswana in the afternoon.

If the thrill of cruising the Chobe River leaves you wanting more; it is possible to spend your entire stay on the river. A number of houseboats operate on the water, allowing you to have an extended boat cruise, while also including game drives and other land based excursions.