In fact, Chobe anchors the largest national elephant population on earth. In fact, an estimated 120,000 move through northern Botswana, and in the dry season they mass along the Chobe River in herds that stretch to the horizon.
Above all, the signature experience is the water: an afternoon cruise or small photographic boat puts you at eye level with swimming elephant, buffalo crossing to the islands and some of Africa’s biggest crocodiles. Also, Victoria Falls is about 90 minutes by road, making the two a natural pair.
Chobe is Botswana at its most abundant: riverfront game drives and sunset boat cruises pass elephant herds hundreds strong, buffalo, hippo and some of Africa’s densest lion prides. In addition, it pairs naturally with Victoria Falls, about 90 minutes by road, and with the Okavango Delta by light aircraft.
Highlights of Chobe National Park
The river at sunset
Elephant swimming trunk-up between islands as the light turns gold.
Photographic boats
Low, stable craft with swivel seats and camera mounts, built for photographers.
Savuti
Chobe’s wild interior, known for famous lion clans and the elephant-hunting prides of documentary fame.
Victoria Falls next door
Then cross to the Falls by road in about 90 minutes.
Explore Victoria Falls next door →Best time to visit Chobe
Dry season: the river becomes the only water, so the herds concentrate.
Green season, with the zebra migration to Savuti, dramatic skies and low rates.
However, in the green months rates ease at many of these camps, the plains empty of vehicles and the light turns dramatic. Finally, what each season gives, and what it trades, is set out in our Safari Planning Guide.
Planning & cost
Priced to your budget, and built around your camps, the season and how you like to travel. There are no fixed packages.
Of course, we design every journey privately, with private guides and vehicles arranged where specified, the finest lodges, and a specialist on call throughout. At fly-in camps, game drives may be shared unless a private vehicle is reserved.
Practical details,
in one place
Money, health, connectivity and packing work the same way on every safari we plan, so they live in one place rather than on every page.
Continue exploring
Botswana
A Botswana safari is Africa’s water wilderness: the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Kalahari.
Explore → ExperienceOkavango Delta
An Okavango Delta safari explores Africa’s great water wilderness by mokoro and 4x4.
Explore → ExperienceVictoria Falls
The largest sheet of falling water on earth, and a natural wonder.
Explore → RegionSouthern Africa
The desert, the delta and the falls, across Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Explore →Chobe National Park FAQs
Getting to Botswana: flights, visas and health
Correct when we wrote it. Before you travel, we check every requirement for your exact route and tell you what to apply for and when.
Plan your Chobe safari.
Chobe National Park rewards travelers who give it both a boat and a vehicle.
Tell us how you like to travel and start with a complimentary consultation.
Plan your safariFor official background on the Okavango Delta, see the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Okavango Delta.