A collection of paradise-like ecosystems

Famous for the march of more than 70000 migratory African elephants, Chobe National Park is visited by many and is without a doubt, one of Botswana’s magnificent treasures.

Flowing from within the borders of Angola, the Kwando River pierces through Botswana’s border, feeding the Linyanti Swamp river valleys and from there, it forges below and forms the Linyanti River. The stream courses steadily eastward and transform yet again into the Chobe River before merging with the Zambezi. It is the surge of these currents that gives life to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

Great herds of zebra, buffalo and not forgetting elephants too, journey toward these flowing rivers during the dry season, causing many predators and their prey to congregated around the lush forested parts of the waterways.

The Linyanti Reserve which borders Chobe National Park consists of marshy vistas, open floodplains, rolling savannas and the Savuti Channel which are home to hundreds of hippos. The mopane forests and open plains of the Kwando Reserve are probably where you’ll find most of the wildlife convening. From many species of antelope to wild dogs, giraffe and wildebeest; the prey of the reserves nonchalantly minding their own business as they try their best not to be eaten by the opportunistic prowl of the hunting lion.

Best season for Chobe

Chobe National Park and its surrounding reserves generally experience the rainy season during the warm and humid months of November to March.

From May to October you can expect the surface water to evaporate and temperatures become very hot. This is the best time to view game as they tend to congregate around rivers and its surrounding forests.

Access to Chobe

The best access to the region is from Kasane or Maun Airports which offer a regular air transfer service directly to lodges and camps. There are regular regional flight services from Johannesburg to Maun and Livingstone (an hour’s road transfer away from Kasane)

Advice from Safari Russ:

“In this part of the northern Kalahari, the rivers support a habitat which sustains an amazing concentration of wildlife. One of the most amazing ways to encounter animals and birds is from the water on a boat safari. This place is a wildlife photographer’s dream destination.”