Chobe National Park

The Chobe is one of Africa’s magical rivers, and the best way to explore the park is by boat. In the late afternoon, big herds of elephant and buffalo come to drink. There are plenty of hippos and crocs in the river, and the birdlife is phenomenal. Predator sightings are easier on game drives.

Pros & Cons

Excellent wildlife viewing
Four of the Big Five present and easily seen (rhino is absent)
Ideal birding destination, especially for waterbirds
Game drives and boat safaris available
Self-drive day visitors are allowed entry
Most accommodation is outside the park
Depending on crowds, self-drive hours are officially restricted from 9am to 2.30pm, the worst time for wildlife viewing
The river gets very busy with safari boats in the afternoon
Very hot in summer
Limited safari circuits inside the park

Chobe has an impressive wealth of animal life. Elephant and buffalo are a permanent presence on the riverbanks in the dry months. Burchell's zebra are very common as well, while smaller numbers of sable, roan and greater kudu can be found in the park interior. Lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah are all regularly spotted.

Wildlife Highlights

Thousands of animals on the floodplains kick up a lot of dust, which creates amazing photo opportunities at sunset. Less obvious are some of the smaller mammals such as the Chobe subspecies of bushbuck. Red lechwe are common in marshy areas. Some of the small predators include Selous' mongoose, serval and wild cat.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Chobe has very seasonal wildlife viewing. The dry months, from May to October, are a good time to visit the Chobe River area in the north. During the Wet season, from December to April, animals tend to congregate around the pans in the interior.

Wildlife Viewing

Incidents with animals are extremely rare. Wild animals, however, are unpredictable and visitors should always listen to the safety briefing at their lodge check-in, as well as take any warnings seriously.

When on an organized safari, listen carefully to the instructions given by your guide, and when on a self-drive safari, familiarize yourself with the designated areas where you may get out of the vehicle.

For more information, please read the 'wildlife viewing safety precautions' below.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – Botswana

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Botswana

Chobe is a great birding destination – more than 450 species have been recorded. Boat trips on the river are excellent for checking off many waders and other water-associated birds. Birds often let boats come very close making photography remarkably easy. There are many fish eagles on the river, and their call is one of the most iconic sounds of Africa. Several species, including skimmers, are on their southern-most limit, making a sighting particularly exciting for southern Africa bird watchers.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

Chobe is a great park for bird watching throughout the year, but the best months are from November to April. This is when migrants swoop into the park. Also, during these months a lot of birds are breeding, and large colonies of waterbirds can be found nesting on the sandbanks in the river. The best time for mammals, however, is in the dry months from May to October.

Chobe can be visited throughout the year. Wildlife migrates through the park with the seasons. The riverfront area is best visited in the dry months, from May to October. August to October are the optimum months for wildlife viewing here, but it gets extremely hot at that time. During the wet months, animals, Burchell’s zebra specifically, migrate to the Savute Marsh, while Linyanti is best visited from April onward.

Best Time

August to October (Best wildlife viewing at the riverfront area)

High Season

July to October (The park gets crowded)

Low Season

November to June (Low-season rates may apply)

Best Weather

May to August (Less hot during the day)

Worst Weather

October (It gets extremely hot)

April to October –Dry Season

Wildlife viewing along the riverfront gets better as the Dry season progresses

Most of the Dry season has the best weather

Sunsets on the river are phenomenal

July to October are high season months, and the riverfront area gets very busy

It is very dry and dusty

September and October are very hot

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (20)

November to March –Wet Season

There are huge concentrations of zebra and other wildlife at the Savute Marsh

Prolific numbers of baby animals attract predators

The best time for birders as migrants are present

There is less wildlife at the riverfront, as animals disperse

It is very hot

Afternoon showers can interfere with activities

Dry season–April to October

The last showers marking the end of the Wet season normally fall in April. From May, the park becomes drier and drier. June and July are the coolest months; however, temperatures begin increasing in August and peak in October.

April & May – These months mark the beginning of the Dry season. The vegetation is still green, and it is mostly dry and sunny. It is hot in the middle of the day, with temperatures climbing up to 29°C/84°F.
June, July & August – There is very little rain during these months. It is a bit cooler now with afternoon temperatures climbing up to about 27°C/80°F. Early mornings are cold at around 08°C/47°F.
September & October – As the Dry season draws to a close, it continues to get hotter before the rains break. October is very hot with average afternoon temperatures of 35°C/95°F. However, conditions at night and in the mornings are agreeable.

Wet season–November to March

The first rains bring relief. It doesn’t usually rain all day, but thunderstorms in the afternoon are common. It’s hot throughout the season with afternoon temperatures of around 31°C/88°F. Mornings are pleasant.

November & December – Conditions are hot and sunny. Temperatures tend to build before it rains, and then drop afterward. Early mornings are pleasant – temperatures average about 19°C/65°F.
January & February – The first two months of the year are the wettest. There is usually rain in the afternoon, but only for a few hours. Heavy storms are a regular occurrence.
March – The rains are lessening. There is still rainfall every couple of days though, and it mostly comes as a thunderstorm. Mornings are cooler at 17°C/63°F.

Chobe National Park has several areas that can be visited. The most popular and accessible area is the riverfront, which is just outside Kasane. Chobe Gate is located 6km/3mi west of Kasane and 80km/49mi west of Victoria Falls. The drive from Victoria Falls takes just over an hour.

Visitors to this area usually fly into Kasane Airport (BBK), and self-drive visitors can pick up their 4x4 at the airport.

The Savuti and Linyanti areas can be reached by 4x4 in the Dry season, but most people fly-in by chartered plane to their lodge.

Another popular point of entry to the country is Maun Airport (MUB). From here you can fly on to Kasane. Driving is also possible – it’s about 600km/370mi.

Domestic Flights

TourCharter flights between parks will usually be booked by the tour operator as part of your tour package.

Safety

Botswana is safe to visit in our opinion, and so is Chobe in particular.

Flying around from lodge to lodge is a very safe way to travel but Botswana is a popular self-drive destination as well. Most self-drive visitors stay in Kasane, which is easy to reach, but visitors driving to Savuti, or especially Linyanti, should check the road conditions before heading off.

Your travel clinic or local doctor will give you advice on appropriate vaccinations for visiting Botswana. Chobe lies in a high-risk malaria zone, so it is advisable to take antimalarial medication. Extra safety measures that should be adhered to are using insect repellent (containing at least 30% DEET) and covering up in the evening. The malaria risk is highest in the rainy season

Botswana is in our opinion a very safe and politically stable country. If you are traveling on an organized trip and staying at lodges and camps, safety problems are very rare. As is the case all over the world, most crime occurs in the cities, and basic safety precautions (such as locking away your valuables at your accommodation) is advisable.

Below are tips on staying safe in Botswana.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

To stay safe on safari, just follow your safari guide’s instructions. When on a self-drive safari, get familiar with the rules of the parks and reserves, never approach animals too close and don’t leave your car outside designated safe areas. For additional tips:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

Although crime is rare in Botswana, there are incidents of petty theft and pickpocketing in the cities. You are mostly sheltered from any risk on guided activities. When going out in the city unguided, you can easily avoid problems by following simple safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel before heading out; only take the money you need with you and never wear any valuables; take a taxi after dark. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Malaria

The information on this page is just a brief guide and should not be used to replace a consultation with your travel doctor.

Malaria Risk

High risk in central and northern Botswana and low risk in the rest of the country. The highest risk of transition is in the rainy season, from November to June.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible