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Chobe National Park offers an awesome safari in Africa, within close proximity of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia. Thompsons Africa can assist you with all your arrangements in Chobe, from your accommodation, transfers, safaris & tours, to your onward Okavango Delta safari, just speak to one of our consultants.
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| Chobe Chilwero |
Price on request |
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| Chobe Marina Lodge |
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| Chobe Safari Lodge |
Price on request |
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| Chobe Savanna Lodge |
Price on request |
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Chobe is one of the largest National Parks in Africa, with enormous concentrations of elephant, along with an astonishing variety of other wild species including Africa's large predators. As with most game reserves in Africa, particularly the larger parks game viewing is subject to the seasons/annual rains.
With the RAINY SEASON, November to March (with a peak during January and February) the pans and waterholes throughout the Chobe National Park fill up and the game tends to wander off into the remote central areas of the park. The Savute area within the Chobe National Park at this time is an important summer grazing area for impressive numbers of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope species. During this time the Savute comes alive with enormous grazing herds of antelope and the predator activity at this time is dynamic. However, clients visiting the Chobe and Linyanti areas during the rainy season will not be disappointed, as the game viewing remains good all year round - also, an added attraction during the rainy season is the excellent birding, as migrant birds flock to the Chobe River to join the resident bird population. The wild flowers during this time are a double treat and much of the wildlife gives birth during this period of abundant grazing.
During the DRY SEASON, May to October, the life supporting pans and waterholes dry up and the animals migrate to the permanent water sources of the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers, congregating in their thousands. The game viewing along the Chobe River from June to October is awesome. October is however the hottest month and with the expectant rains, the humidity can be oppressive. |
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Chobe is served by Kasane Airport, which is a short distance from the majority of the hotels and lodges that are perched at the edge of the Chobe River, just outside of, and 'down stream' from the Chobe National Park. Kasane Airport is an important gateway into the game-rich Okavango Delta. Six kilometers east of the town of Kasane is the tiny border post of Kazangula, which serves as the border entry/exit point between Botswana and Zimbabwe/Zambia. Victoria Falls is literally under a two hour road transfer from the Kazangula border post from both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of The Falls. Interestingly enough, should you be entering or leaving Botswana via Zambia, you will need to cross the Chobe River by ferry at the Kazangula border post - a very 'African' experience all on its own. Kasane also offers access to Namibia's Caprivi Strip. There are a range of beautiful lodges that are situated, on islands within Namibia's Caprivi territory, however they too offer the typical Chobe experience. This entire area is unique as it is the meeting point of four countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. |
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- The opportunity to view the rare and endangered wild dog.
- Spectacular viewing of elephant as they jostle at the water's edge, kicking up dust and trumpeting - one can sit for hours watching these sensitive mammals.
- Huge concentrations of hippo, crocodile and buffalo easily viewed whilst on a safari boat on the Chobe River.
- Phenomenal bird life (440 species including the rare Narina Trogon and exquisitely colourful bee-eaters)!
- Awesome sunsets as you sip your G&T!
- Dynamic predator sightings, sometimes uncomfortably close, yet utterly thrilling.
- A range of accommodation options to choose from to suit all budgets, with spectacular setting along the banks of the Chobe River.
- Close proximity to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe/Zambia.
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The Chobe River game viewing experience is probably one of the most affordable of Botswana's safari options, and with the lure of excellent game viewing from both on land and on the river, one will find that at certain times of the year, Chobe can become quite crowded, but during these times the activity provides a happy vibrancy to the area and you will not be disappointed.
Chobe National Park covers 11 700 square kilometers (7270 square miles) and is the second largest National Park in Botswana. The Park is divided into four distinctly different eco-systems:
- Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests, with Chobe River frontage (this area is referred to as Chobe). This is the far north-east of the park, which is easily accessible from Zimbabwe and Zambia (Kasane Airport is the entry point for light aircraft).
- The Savute Marsh in the west.
- The Linyanti Swamps in the north-west.
- ... and then there is the hot dry hinterland in-between (and south), which is not an easily accessible area.
CHOBE (Serondela area)
The most popular area in and just outside of the Chobe National Park is the short 15 kilometre (9 mile) stretch of the Chobe River from Kasane town to the Serondela campsite, which flows along the north eastern border of the park. This area is a favourite drinking spot for elephant and buffalo, particularly during the dry season. You will be absolutely mesmerized and could spend hours watching these huge herds of elephant, as they wait their turn to drink from the Chobe River. You may even be lucky enough to view elephant swimming across the Chobe River to reach grazing areas in Namibia's Caprivi. Game viewing from the Chobe River will leave you with lasting memories, from the prolific birdlife, to enormous herds of hippo, massive crocodiles sunning themselves on the river banks, and lion stalking antelope in the marshes. You will be astounded by the variety of wildlife whilst on safari on both the river itself (motor boat) and on land in specially adapted four wheel drive vehicles.
SAVUTE
Often described as one of, if not the best wildlife viewing areas in Africa. Savute (also spelt Savuti) boasts huge concentrations of wildlife and covers almost 5000 square kilometers (1930 sq miles). Wildlife are present during all seasons, and at certain times of the year their numbers can be staggering. Here you will view nearly all of the major species, giraffe, elephant, zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, eland, and of course the predators that follow the grazers: lion, hyena, jackal, bat eared fox, cheetah, wild dog and more. Savute is famous for its predators, particularly its resident lions and spotted hyena populations - you will see them at close quarters, with wonderful opportunities for photography. The area boasts vast rich grass plains reminiscent of Tanzania's Serengeti. |
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LINYANTI
In the furthest corner of the Chobe National Park lies the paradise of the Linyanti (north of Savute), which is a secluded and uncrowded area. This short strip of swampy river frontage is reminiscent of the Okavango Delta's permanent waterways, with papyrus-lined lagoons, reed beds and tall trees. The Linyanti Swamp covers an area of almost 900 square kilometers - the National Park only touches the Linyanti River (which is later named the Chobe River) for a short section on the eastern edge of the swamp. Apart from the Linyanti area within the National Park, there are also numerous private reserves within the 'larger' Linyanti area, which offer the international visitor fantastic game viewing. The area is best accessed via light aircraft and as a part of a Botswana safari circuit package. The wildlife is plentiful, especially in the dry winter months, when great concentrations of elephant, buffalo and zebra congregate along the river, along with giraffe, impala, sable, sitatunga and roan antelope. The birdlife is overwhelming in numbers. The main predators are lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena.
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Both the Savute and the Linyanti areas are best accessed by light air-craft and as a part of your Botswana safari circuit packaged vacation. There are many reputable companies that own/and or manage/market camps within the prime game viewing areas of Botswana, which include and extend beyond the Chobe National Park: The Okavango Delta; Moremi; Linyanti; Savute; Selinda; Kalahari Wilderness areas and the Makgadikgadi Pans. Thompsons Africa can combine any camp within these wilderness areas, however logistically it does make sense for you to choose one company for your Botswana safari... Why you ask?
- Camps within the same company are in constant and close contact with each other and therefore will have complete control over your itinerary and will co-ordinate the timings of the inter-camp transfers to link up with the game activities more effectively, and even meal arrangements will be co-ordinated to best suit your arrival/departure times. For example, a client that departs a camp after the morning game activity, will be provided with lunch on their arrival at the following camp OR an afternoon game drive can be delayed slightly as the camp has radioed ahead to advise the clients ETA - basically using one company for your Botswana safari circuit provides the opportunity for your itinerary to run more smoothly.
- There is also the flexibility to easily search for availability within one group's reservation system and suggest alternate camps within the group to suit your dates more effectively.
- Inter camp transfers are operated on seat-in-plan scheduled flight transfers. When we begin to combine camps within different groups, costs begin to increase as you will need to charter a plane. The costs usually increase when camps from different 'groups' are combined in an itinerary.
- Using one group throughout your itinerary also ensures that you have consistency of standard and services.
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*** THE CHOBE RIVER has its origins in the highlands of Angola and once it enters into Botswana, it goes through numerous name changes. It enters as the Kwando River and immediately becomes the Linyanti, then the Itenge and is finally called the Chobe River. Passing Kasane, the Chobe River joins the Zambezi River at Kazangula, where the two rivers flow briefly together before rushing over the deep cataract which is Victoria Falls.
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