The Meeting of Four Ecosystems: Exploring the Wonders of Chobe National Park in Botswana 

To awaken to the dawn chorus of rare African birds and the sight of graceful elephants moving across the horizon and to fall asleep to an endless sea of stars shines over the Chobe River is the ultimate privilege. The allure of Chobe National Park knows no bounds.

In this blog, we will be your guides, offering a glimpse into the wonder that is Botswana’s Chobe National Park. You’ll learn of the diverse wildlife that roam freely in this vast sanctuary, lush landscapes that ebb and flow with the seasons and unforgettable safari experiences that will leave you forever changed. Join us as we share insights into this remarkable park’s unique ecosystems, the top luxury lodges that await your arrival and invaluable ROAR AFRICA tips and insider access that ensure your journey is nothing short of transformative.

An Overview of Chobe National Park

Where is Chobe National Park?

Chobe National Park is located in northeastern Botswana along the Chobe River, which serves as a natural border between Botswana and Namibia to the north. An essential experience on any Botswana safari, the country’s first national park is often visited along with the waterways of the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve to the west.

How big is Chobe National Park?

The wilderness area comprises 4,500 square miles of sweeping savannahs, lush floodplains, dense woodlands and one of the largest concentrations of wild game in Africa. When considering how many days you need in Chobe National Park, think about its diverse ecosystems—you’ll want to spend at least three days exploring the park by land and water to take in as much magnificent wildlife and natural beauty as possible. What is the layout of Chobe National Park?

Chobe National Park is divided into four main ecosystems. The most-visited is the Serondela area in the north, where huge herds of elephants congregate in the lush plains and dense forests along the Chobe riverfront. Next is the Savuti marsh in the west, a birdwatcher’s paradise that is also abundant with lions, rare rhinos and other wildlife. To rewild your soul in more remote parts of the park and spot rare species like the elusive eland, head to the Linyanti marsh in the northwest or the dry, grassy Nogatsaa hinterland between the two marshes.

The Diverse Wildlife of Chobe National Park

As mentioned above, Chobe National Park’s rich biodiversity means it has an impressive range of wildlife. The park is best known for the 50,000 African elephants that splash and play in the Chobe River, though you’re also likely to see the remaining Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, and African buffalo—throughout the wilderness area. Other iconic animals abound, from hippos and crocodiles in the waterways to rare antelope, African wild dogs, and giraffes in the woodlands. With more than 450 species of birds, Chobe is a phenomenal place to bring your binoculars and peer up at the treetops.

Top Safari Experiences in Chobe National Park

For the richest Chobe National Park experience, you’ll want to visit all four ecosystems, prioritizing the Serondela area and Savuti marsh for wildlife sightings and the Linyanti marsh and dry hinterland for pure, untamed wilderness.

One of the most iconic and immersive wilderness experiences on a luxury Botswana safari is a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Gliding along the park’s intricate waterways, you’ll have front-row seats to the wildlife that thrives on the riverbanks, from herds of elephants and colorful kingfishers to thirsty prides of lions.

Game drives are not to be missed in Chobe National Park. Just a few minutes on a tailor-made safari with ROAR AFRICA’s expert guides will show you why this corner of Botswana is so renowned for its plentiful wildlife. Or, get a fresh perspective of the park on a night drive, when nocturnal wildlife, like wide-eyed bushbabies, are known to peek out from the bush.

To explore Chobe’s flora and fauna on foot, opt for the intimate experience of a guided walking safari. The unspoiled silence of this activity—save for the call of an African fish eagle or the trumpet of an elephant—is extraordinarily moving.

Tips for an Unforgettable Experience in Chobe National Park

How to visit Chobe National Park

Visiting Chobe National Park usually means flying into Maun and then onward to the town of Kasane, followed by private transportation to your luxury safari lodge. You’ll need a permit to enter the park, which will be covered by your ROAR AFRICA guide team as they take you to the best wilderness locations discovered over 11 generations of expertise.

The best luxury accommodations in Chobe National Park

• Chobe Game Lodge
• : A photographer’s dream, this is the only permanent luxury lodge located inside Chobe National Park, giving guests round-the-clock access to the theater of wildlife from a massive boma, boardwalk and dining options along the Chobe River.
• Savute Safari Lodge
• : Beautifully positioned beneath ancient camelthorn trees, this lodge offers front-row seats to the area’s biannual zebra migration and is the perfect base from which to explore the game-rich western regions of Chobe National Park.
• Chobe Under Canvas
• : This mobile, full-service tented camp is perfect for those seeking a more intimate, personalized African safari with an old-world sense of style and adventure in the bush.

The best time to visit Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is a year-round destination, as both the wet and dry seasons offer breathtaking wilderness experiences. If you’d like to prioritize wildlife viewing, the cool dry season from April to October sees the most elephants gathering by the Chobe River in search of water. During the warmer wet season from November to March, Chobe National Park is beautifully lush and green, with birdwatching, calving season and the Savute zebra migration at their peak.

Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure in Botswana, where pristine wilderness, rare wildlife and unparalleled comfort await. Experience all that Botswana has to offer on a life-changing journey with ROAR AFRICA.