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CHOBE RIVER

LAND OF THE ELEPHANT

Whether arriving by air or road, the first glimpse of the river – deep and dazzling in the sandy terrain – is always breathtaking. It appears as a swathe of brilliant, peacock blue ribbon, winding its way through the tiny town of Kasane, and ensuing wilderness – the Chobe National Park. Undoubtedly one of Africa’s most beautiful rivers, the Chobe supports a diversity and concentration of wildlife unparalled anywhere else in the country.

 

Established in 1968, the park covers approximately 11 7 00 sq kms, encompassing floodplains, swamps and woodland. The Chobe River forms its northern boundary and is the most accessible and frequently visited of Botswana’s big game country, the Chobe Riverfront is most famous for its large herds of elephants and cape Buffalo, which during the dry winter months converge upon the river to drink. During this season, on an afternoon game drive, you may see hundreds of elephants at one time. You may be surrounded by elephants, as the main Serondella road becomes impassable and scores of family herds cross the main road to make their way to the river to drink, bathe and play.

 

Driving the loops that hug the river’s edge, you may see up to 15 different species of animals on any one game drive, including waterbuck, lechwe, puku (this is the only part of Botswana where they can be seen), giraffe, kudu, roan and sable, impala, warthog, bushbuck, monkeys and baboons, along with the accompanying predators: lion, leopard, hyena and jackal.

 

Take a river cruise – and you’ll experience the park, and the animals, from another vantage point. Here you’ll get up close and personal with hippo, crocodile and a mind-boggling array of water birds.

Over 460 bird species have been recorded in the park, making it one of Africa’s premier venues for bird Safaris. Common species to be seen include the Sacred ibis, Egyptian Geese, the ubiquitous Cormorants and Darters, Spur-Winged Geese, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Carmine Bee-eaters, most members of the Kingfisher family, all the Rollers, the unmistakable Fish Eagle, the Martial Eagle, and many members of the Stork family.

 

The Chobe River rises in the northern Angolan highlands, travels enormous distances before it reaches Botswana at Ngoma. Like the Okavango and Zambezi rivers, the Chobe’s course is affected by fault lines that are extensions of the Great Rift Valley. These three mighty rivers carry more water than all other rivers in Southern Africa.

View our safaris that include the Chobe River

CHOBE RIVER
CHOBE RIVER SAFARIS

CHOBE RIVER GALLERY

CHOBE RIVER GALLERY

CONSERVATION &

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The threats which face wildlife and wild places in Africa are many and complex! In order to preserve this for future generations we need to be pro-active and support effective organizations that are focused on this. Safari travel is playing the most important role in conservation right now! It will play an even bigger role in the future. The only way that wildlife and wild places will be preserved is through expanding areas under formal protection and these need to be funded by successful tourism initiatives.

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1% of the value of every trip booked with us is donated

to the Wilderness Wildlife Trust

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