Chobe National Park

Chobe is teeming with animals: huge herds of elephant, buffalo and their chasing predators come to this mighty river to drink...

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Overview

In the far north-east of Botswana lies Chobe National Park. It teems with animals, especially huge herds of elephant and buffalo. Indeed the elephant population, estimated to be 30,000, is the largest concentration in Africa. It’s not unusual to see herds of up to 500 elephant at the river at the end of the dry season when water becomes a lifeline. And now large prides of lions have learnt to hunt them which adds to the safari excitement.

Below we have played slightly fast and loose with Chobe’s boundaries. As within ''our'' Chobe we include three distinct areas:

Firstly there are the game lodges on the Chobe River in the north of Chobe National Park, quite close to Victoria Falls. Game viewing here is immediate and prolific. Boat safaris add a different perspective to the traditional vehicle safaris.
Secondly there are the safari camps in the Savuti marsh area in the south of Chobe. (Or the Savute channel as it is also known.)
Finally we include the safari camps of the Linyanti, Selinda and Kwando private concessions. Which are not strictly in the Chobe National Park, as they lie to the west of the park. These private areas combine excellent wildlife with fewer vehicles.

Our Chobe safaris focus on these three areas. As this is where the game lodges and camps are concentrated.

Chobe & Animal Migrations

The key to understanding Chobe lies in the complex animal migrations. These follow an ancient pattern, only partly understood by man. Very broadly speaking, the game is drawn to the Chobe and Kwando rivers, with their verdant floodplains, during the dry winter season. Then during the wetter summer months, it spreads out to the open grasslands of the Savute marsh, the pans of the Mababe depression. And the western private concessions of the Linyanti.

Chobe Safaris & Victoria Falls

A Chobe safari is easily combined with Victoria Falls, only 1½ hours away by road. So some people tack a two night safari in Chobe onto a Victoria Falls visit.

Then from Kasane airport you can fly easily to the Okavango Delta or to Savute. Many of our Botswana safaris combine the Chobe with a few days in the Delta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chobe worth visiting if I’m already going to the Okavango Delta?
Absolutely! Chobe offers a different experience, particularly with its river-based safaris and large herds of elephant.
How many nights should I spend in Chobe?
2–3 nightsworks well, especially when combined with Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta.
What is the difference between Chobe River, Savute and Linyanti?
The riverfront offers high-density wildlife and boat safaris, Savute is known for predators and seasonal drama, while Linyanti provides a more private and varied safari experience.

Why We Love It

Huge herds of elephant in the dry winter months of Chobe
Large prides of lion which have learnt to hunt elephant & buffalo, especially around Savute
Game-viewing is good, even in the green season (Dec to March)
Sunset boat cruises on the Chobe river
Excellent walking safaris in the Linyanti private concessions
Easily combined with Victoria Falls, only 1½ hours from Chobe

Where to go in Chobe National Park

Chobe River

The Chobe river area offers abundant wildlife, especially large herds of elephant, and is easily accessible from the Victoria Falls.

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Savuti

The Savuti area is a rugged wilderness region in the south-west of Chobe National Park - famous for its excellent year-round game viewing & prides of lion.

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Linyanti Swamps

To the west of Chobe lie the Linyanti camps in the Linyanti, Selinda & Kwando private concessions – wilder & much quieter than Chobe, yet also famed for their elephant concentrations.

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On The Map

When to visit Chobe National Park

Summer in Chobe National Park

This is the summer rainy season. The wildlife tends to be more dispersed through the park and harder to spot. Temperatures are high and it is humid. However, it is green and lush, and there is a chance to see newborn animals as this is calving season. This in turn attracts the predators. Afternoon thunder showers can also affect the safari activities. However Summer is traditionally the time of more reasonable safari prices in Botswana. During the wet season, animals migrate south to the Savuti marsh area so this area is one of the best for summer safaris.

AVG RAINFALL 131 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 7.5 Hours

MAX TEMP 31 ℃ / 88 ℉

MIN TEMP 19 ℃ / 66 ℉

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Shoulder season

This is considered the shoulder season it’s the start of the dry season. The landscape is still green and lush but grasses start dying down. The sunsets are superb as the skies are clearer. Note that June is a transitional month and varies from year to year. The game-viewing is getting better and better and yet many camps have shoulder season pricing.

AVG RAINFALL 8 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 9.5 Hours

MAX TEMP 31 ℃ / 88 ℉

MIN TEMP 16 ℃ / 61 ℉

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Dry season

Traditionally this is considered the best time to visit as the dry season continues. The bush is less dense and the animals flock to the Chobe River to drink. But the safari visitors also flock! And as the dry season continues, it gets very dry and dusty on the park roads. Temperatures heat up quickly in September and October prior to the start of the summer rains and it can get very hot on a September afternoon.

AVG RAINFALL 0 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 10 Hours

MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 79 ℉

MIN TEMP 10 ℃ / 50 ℉

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Increasing heat

It is hot, hot, hot in October prior to the start of the summer rains. Make sure you are comfortable with heat if you travel in October. But with good game-viewing. Somewhere in November, the summer rains start. This leads to a fairly dramatic change in game-viewing as the wildlife disperse across the Chobe savanna plains. Your best bet in the summer months is the Savuti channel. Prolific numbers of babies being born attracts predators. Summer is also a great time for birding as the summer migrants arrive.

AVG RAINFALL 43 mm

AVG DAYLIGHT 9 Hours

MAX TEMP 35 ℃ / 95 ℉

MIN TEMP 19 ℃ / 66 ℉

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Popular tours & safaris

Classic Botswana Safari with Victoria Falls

This Botswana Classic Safari in Botswana combines three of the prime safari destinations of Botswana: the Okavango Delta, the Savute Channel in the Chobe National Park and the Moremi Game Reserve ...

WHEN Apr - Nov

DURATION 10 Nights

FROM ₤ 6,447

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Ultimate Botswana Family Safari

This eight-night Ultimate Botswana Family Safari allows for the family to experience a choice and combination of three key ecosystems and environments within Botswana on a fun filled adventure of ...

WHEN Jan - Dec

DURATION 8 Nights

FROM ₤ 20,524

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Botswana Water & Wildlife Safari

This classic 6 night Botswana safari combines two of the prime wildlife areas – the Okavango Delta and Chobe. Enjoy a range of game activities including 4x4 game drives, boating, bush walks and ...

WHEN Apr - Oct

DURATION 7 Nights

FROM ₤ 5,827

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Accommodation

Selinda Camp

Selinda Camp is a small luxury tented camp, with only nine spacious guest tents under thatch, on the banks of the Selinda spillway. The shaded camp has glorious views over the Selinda floodplains and ...

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Savute Safari Lodge

Savute Safari Lodge peers out from ancient camelthorn trees on the banks of the Savute channel, the 'stolen river'. Here wild dogs hunt in the channel where crocodiles swam only twenty years ago. Now ...

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Muchenje Safari Lodge

Muchenje Safari Lodge is an authentic comfortable safari camp in the remote western part of Chobe National Park. Whilst other riverside Chobe lodges are located on the busier eastern edge of Chobe ...

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Chobe Game Lodge

Chobe Game Lodge is an established luxury game lodge of attractive Moorish architecture. It has a superb location – the only permanent game lodge within the Chobe and overlooking the Chobe river and ...

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Selinda Explorers Camp

Selinda Explorers Camp enjoys a stunning setting overlooking the Selinda Spillway in this game-rich area. This authentic camp, consisting of four custom-designed tents, transports you back to ...

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Linyanti Bush Camp

Linyanti Bush Camp is a tented safari camp, set in one of the remotest parts of Africa, sharing borders with Namibia and lying on the edge of the Chobe National Park in a private concession. The ...

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