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The Chobe National Park is located in the Northern part of Botswana and comprises an area of approximately 11 000 sq km. The Chobe National Park is the second largest park in Botswana and is known for its superb game viewing all year round as it has one of the largest populations of game on the African continent. The park lies along the Chobe River, which borders Botswana and Namibia .
The park offers 4 distinct different ecosystems:
- Serondela area: lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area in the North East
- Savuti Marsh area: in the West about 50km north of the Mababe Gate
- Linyanti Swamps: in the North West
- Hot dry hinterland in between
Vegetation found in the Chobe National Park ranges from dry Savannah area, Mopane woodlands, and Marsh area in the dry Savute Channel and riverine forests along the Chobe River.
Access to the Chobe National Park :
The Chobe National Park is easily accessed by road and by air. You are able to fly into various airports, for example, Kasane Airport in Botswana is situated just outside the Chobe National Park.
You could also fly into Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe or Livingstone Airport in Zambia. Combining a stay in Victoria Falls with a stay in Chobe makes for a wonderful combination and safari experience.
If you are self driving from Kasane, follow the tar road past Kasane Airport to the Sedudu Gate. This gate is the entrance gate from the Kasane side (north), into the Chobe National Park. If driving from the Moremi Game Reserve, you would enter the Chobe National Park from the south at Mababe Gate.
You will need to check in and pay the necessary National Park Fees. Please note that a 4x4 vehicle is necessary, especially if you are going to be exploring the park extensively. It also advisable to have some 4x4 driving experience, due to deep sandy roads. This is all part of the adventure!
The original inhabitants of the Chobe National Park were the San people. They are known in Botswana as the Basarwa. The Basarwa were hunter gatherers and moved from one area to another in search of water, wild fruits and wild animals. The Basarwa were joined by groups of the Basubiya people and the Batawana people around 1911.
During late last century and early this century, the Chobe National Park was classified as crown land. The idea of forming a National Park in this area was first initiated in 1931 and the reasons behind this were to protect the wildlife from extinction, as well as to attract visitors.
In 1932, an area of around 24000 sq Km in the Chobe district was declared a non-hunting area and during the following year, this protected areas size increased to around 31600 sq km.
Due to heavy tsetse fly infestations in 1943, the idea of a game reserve was cancelled out. The idea of a game reserve was initiated again in 1957, and in 1960 a section was gazetted at Chobe Game Reserve, and in 1967 the reserve was declared a national park. This was the first national park in Botswana.
The boundaries of the National Park were altered in 1980 and 1987 respectfully, increasing the size of the national park.
Wildlife:
The most popular wildlife attraction for the Chobe National Park is its elephant population. Botswana ’s current elephant population is estimated at around 120,000. The Chobe elephants are migratory and can make seasonal movements of up to 200 Km from the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers, where they are found during the dry season, to the pans in the South East of the park, too which they disperse during the rains.
These elephants have been described as being the largest in body size of all living elephants. However the ivory is brittle and the elephants do not have very large tusks.
Other game that can be seen in the Chobe National park are great herds of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, as well as an array of antelope and wildebeest (gnu), along with the magnificent predators which pursue and hunt these herbivores such as lion and leopard.
Accommodation:
Just outside the Chobe National Park, to the North, is a small but very vibrant town called Kasane. In Kasane there is a large range of accommodation options to choose from, ranging from camp sites, to lodges and hotels.
Lodge accommodation options in the Chobe area include:
 Click on the lodge name for more info!
Pre booking is essential in order to ensure you secure space at these lodges.
There are however many public camping sites within the park. Each site is different and offers toilet and shower facilities.
Campsite within the Chobe National Park:
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Ihaha Camp Site |
*Please note that reservations for public camping sites must be made with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
Their contact details are as follows:
Maun office:
Tel: (+267) 6861 265 (+267) 6861 265
Fax: (+267) 6861 264
Gaborone office:
Tel: (+267) 318 0774
Fax: (+267) 318 0775
Campsites outside the Chobe National Park (in the Kasane area):
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Thebe River Safaris Camp Site |
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Buffalo Ridge Camp Site |
Visitors must please remember that whilst in the parks, you are traveling in a wilderness area. The roads may be very sandy in some parts and therefore a 4x4 vehicle is essential. The roads may also be bumpy in parts so please adhere to the speed limits and drive slowly.
Please take note that there are no petrol/gas stations inside the parks, so you need to make sure you have the necessary amount of fuel/petrol with you for your trip. There are also no shops in the park, therefore please make sure you have the food and drinks you need. The closest petrol/gas station and shop will be in Kasane or in Maun.
It is advisable to carry additional water (both for drinking and cleaning), food, petrol, mosquito repellent, torches, extra wheels, tools, jacks and pumps.
Border Posts:
If you are self driving and are either coming from Victoria Falls into Botswana , or going from Botswana to Victoria Falls , it is an idea to take note of the Border Post opening and closing times.
- Kazangula Ferry Border: 06h00 – 18h00 (river border between Botswana & Zambia )
- Kazangula Road : 06h00 – 20h00 (road border between Botswana & Zimbabwe)
- Ngoma: 06h00 – 18h00 (road border between Botswana & Namibia ’s Caprivi Strip )
- Pandamatenga: 08h00 – 16h00 (road border between Botswana & Zimbabwe)
Notes:
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When camping, please make sure you burn all litter that can be burnt.
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Litter that cannot be burnt, please take with you and deposit at the Wildlife Camp upon your exit, if possible.
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When having made a fire, please bury the ashes.
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When driving in a national park, please drive only on the tracks.
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Do not go off road.
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No night drives are permitted within a national park.
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Please camp only at designated campsites.
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Consideration for other peoples as well as for the environment should be of paramount concern.
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