Best things to do in Chobe National Park
Find out more about those top places in Chobe National Park
First set aside as a wildlife reserve in the 1930s, Chobe National Park is one of Africa’s greatest wildernesses. Famed as the home to some of the world’s largest herds of elephants, the park also has all of Africa’s iconic safari species including numerous big cats. The park’s centerpiece is undoubtedly the Chobe Riverfront, which is home to Botswana’s densest concentration of wildlife and is the watering ground for Africa’s largest elephants. What is more, recent developments have seen Chobe National Park open two new areas to the public: the vast Linyanti Marshes, which spread across the border into neighboring Namibia, and the unspoiled ocher-colored landscape of Savuti.
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Chobe Safari
As Botswana’s first designated national park, Chobe is unsurprisingly host to the country’s most diverse range of animals, including one of the world’s densest concentrations of big game. The best way to watch Africa’s iconic safari species is through an early morning safari tour, as it is before the full heat of the day that the animals are most active. You will be able to get up close to the park’s famous elephant herds at the Chobe Riverfront, spot big cats, including lions, prowling the savanna and marvel at gaudy tropical birds all the accompanied by expert guides.
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Whitewater Rafting
The northern border of Botswana’s Chobe National Park pushes up against the frontiers of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia, much of which is formed by the mighty Zambezi River. For those wanting to push beyond the park itself, two day rafting excursions are available that see expert tour guides help you navigate the thrilling rapids of the Zambezi, including the world-famous Boiling Pot and the Oblivion. Once your inner adrenaline junkie has been satisfied, head for one of the many riverside beaches to feast on a well-deserved barbecue and catch a breathtaking view of Victoria Falls.
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River Cruise
The reason for Chobe National Park’s overwhelming abundance of wildlife is the Chobe River, which slowly meanders through the reserve. To get the best look at the vast numbers of elephants, big cats, antelope and buffalo that congregate on its banks head to the water for a river cruise where you can get a close view without causing any disturbance. If you can take your eyes away from the riverbanks, make sure to watch for the hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the murky depths.