Best time: May to October (dry season)<\/li>\n

Elephants gather by the river during the dry season<\/li>\n

Go on both a safari and a boat cruise<\/li>\n

Savuti is the best area for predators<\/li>\n

Bring enough fuel with you<\/li>\n

Bring binoculars for birdwatching along the river<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Chobe National Park: Botswana's elephant paradise<\/h2> \t\t
Chobe National Park covers nearly 11,000 square kilometers in the northeast of Botswana. That's larger than the entire province of Utrecht. The park was established in 1968 as Botswana's first national park and has been known for its massive population of African elephants ever since. Estimates vary, but there are likely between 50,000 and 120,000 elephants living in and around the park. During the dry season, when water sources in the region dry up, thousands of elephants migrate to the Chobe River. You can see groups of sometimes up to two hundred animals along the banks at once.<\/p>\n
The park consists of four different areas, each with its own character and ecosystem. The Chobe Riverfront is the most accessible area and runs along the northern border of the park, where the river forms the boundary with Namibia. Here you\u2019ll find the most water and the largest concentrations of animals during the dry months. To the west lies the Ngwezumba area, a densely forested landscape with pans (dry lakes) that fill up during the rainy season. Further west, you\u2019ll find Savuti, a legendary area known for its predators and dramatic landscapes. The fourth area is Linyanti in the far northwest, a hard-to-reach marshland that experiences seasonal flooding.<\/p>\n
The variety of landscapes means you can have completely different safari experiences in Chobe National Park. One day you might drive through thick forests and suddenly encounter a herd of buffalo, and a few hours later you could find yourself at the riverbanks where elephants are playing in the water while hippos defend their territory.<\/p><\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Savuti: the kingdom of predators<\/h2> \t\t
In the middle of the park, you'll find Savuti. To reach this area, make sure to fill up your tank completely in Maun or Muchenje before starting this route. With a full tank and spare jerry cans, you'll be safe for the entire journey. Savuti is located about 170 kilometers west of the Chobe Riverfront, and it's legendary among safari enthusiasts. The drive there takes you through remote bushveld, and you'll quickly notice the contrast with the green river area. Savuti is drier, rougher, and wilder. The heart of the area is formed by the Savuti Marsh, a vast plain that used to be fed by the Savuti Channel. This channel has a mysterious history: sometimes water flows through it, and other times it runs dry for years without any clear explanation. Since 2008, water has been flowing again, transforming the area.<\/p>\n
Savuti is known for its large population of lions and leopards. The lions here have built a reputation as elephant hunters, which is something you don't often see in Africa. During the dry season, when other prey is scarce, some lions here hunt young or weak elephants. It's a spectacular yet intense wildlife experience to witness this happening. Besides lions, you'll often find cheetahs hunting across the open plains and leopards retreating into the sparse trees.<\/p>\n
The Savuti Marsh attracts large herds of zebras and wildebeests during the rainy season, which in turn attracts predators. Buffalos are present here year-round in large numbers. A herd of a thousand buffalos crossing the plain is not uncommon. Hyenas closely follow the herds, always on the lookout for weak or young animals. In the park, you'll find not only animals but also some impressive baobab trees, characteristic of Botswana.<\/p>\n
During your stay in Savuti with Botswana Nomads<\/a>, you'll camp in the heart of the area. At night, you can hear lions roaring in the distance, hyenas howling, and elephants walking through the camp. It's rugged camping, but that's exactly what makes Savuti so unforgettable.<\/p><\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Chobe Riverfront: our favorite<\/h2> \t\t
The Chobe Riverfront is undoubtedly the busiest part of the park, and for good reason. This 50-kilometer stretch along the river attracts incredible numbers of wildlife, especially during the dry season (May to October). The river is the only permanent water source in the wide area at that time. Elephants come in huge numbers to drink and swim, buffalo graze along the banks, and predators lie in wait.<\/p>\n
What makes this area so special is the combination of land and water. You can do a classic game drive along the river road, but you can also take a boat safari on the river itself. Boats depart daily from the nearby town of Kasane for a cruise on the Chobe River. During such a trip, you get very close to the animals. Elephants stand with their bellies in the water, hippos float around with just their ears and eyes above the surface, and crocodiles sunbathe on the mudbanks. Along the banks, you can see antelopes grazing, and birds are found here in huge numbers. The African fish eagle spectacularly dives down to catch a fish, carmine bee-eaters nest along the riverbanks, and you can hear the distinctive call of the African kingfisher.<\/p>\n
The river also forms the natural border between Botswana and Namibia. From the water, you can see both countries at the same time, giving the landscape an extra dimension. In the late afternoon, when the light softens and the sun hangs low on the horizon, this is one of the most beautiful places to photograph wildlife. The animals come in droves to the water for one last drink before night falls.<\/p>\n
A boat safari and a land safari complement each other perfectly. From the water, you see animals from a completely different perspective and get closer to species that are usually shy of vehicles. From the car, you can drive deeper inland and explore areas that are not visible from the river.<\/p><\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The elephants of Chobe<\/h2> \t\t
As mentioned earlier: Chobe is all about elephants. But what makes this population so special? First of all, it's the sheer number. Nowhere else in the world will you see so many elephants together as here. During the dry season, they gather at the Chobe River in groups that can sometimes number in the hundreds. You can see calves playing in the water, teenagers teasing each other, and old bulls with massive tusks grazing peacefully.<\/p>\n
The elephants in Chobe are not afraid of water. In fact, they seem to absolutely love it. You can watch them swimming, splashing around, and spraying each other with their trunks. Young elephants learn to swim here under the watchful eyes of their mothers. It's a playful and relaxed side of elephants that you don't see everywhere in Africa.<\/p>\n
Another notable aspect is the structure of the herds. Elephant families are led by a matriarch, an older, experienced elephant who guides the group to water and food. These families can consist of dozens of individuals, from newborn calves to old aunts. The older females protect the younger ones and share their knowledge about the best routes and safest spots.<\/p>\n
Male elephants often live alone or in small groups of bulls. They only join the herds when a female is in estrus. You can recognize old bulls by their enormous size and impressive tusks. Some bulls in Chobe have tusks that reach the ground, a phenomenon that's becoming increasingly rare due to poachers elsewhere in Africa.<\/p>\n
Elephants do have an impact on their environment. Due to their large numbers and appetites, they change the landscape. They strip trees of their bark, break off branches, and sometimes even pull entire trees down. This may seem destructive, but it also creates new habitats for other animals. Fallen trees provide food for insects, which in turn attract birds and small mammals.<\/p><\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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