All You Need to Know for an Epic Chobe Safari Experience

Thinking of going on a Chobe Safari in Botswana? Here's why Chobe National Park is widely rated as the best Botswana national park and one of Africa's finest.

A bit about Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park, which sits in the northeast of Botswana, officially became the country’s first national park in 1968. Since then, it has become one of the best national parks in Africa, with even Hollywood stars and English royalty paying a visit to this special place. And it’s easy to see why!

This remarkable national park is famed for having one of the largest concentrations of wildlife on the whole African continent, making it a top choice for your African safari.

The park is vast (it’s actually about the size of Northern Ireland!) and features a large variety of habitats, including both river wetlands and dry savannah.

If you're considering a trip to this stunning and unique wildlife haven, this article will give you the perfect head start, with all you need to know for an epic Chobe safari experience.

Chobe wildlife, Botswana safari

When is the best time for a Chobe Safari?

One of the first things you need to consider when planning a Chobe National Park safari is what time of year to visit.

Botswana has two seasons, and the great thing about Chobe is that you can enjoy a brilliant safari there all year round.

That said, when you decide to visit might be influenced by what you would like to get from your Chobe safari experience, so read on to learn more…

If it's guaranteed game spotting and safari big hitters you're after on your trip, then the dry season would be the best choice for your visit to Chobe. Although Chobe National Park is known for excellent game viewing all year round, you are likely to tick more iconic African wildlife off your bucket list if you visit during Botswana’s winter months from April to October. This is because, unlike many water sources in southern Africa, the Chobe River does not dry up during the winter season. As such, huge numbers of animals are drawn to the river seeking much-needed water at this dry time of year. This makes it a pretty sure bet that you’ll see a huge number of animals on your Chobe safari between April and October.

Chobe safari, buffalos at Chobe River

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the national park can get very busy during peak safari season (which runs from July to October), so if you’d like to have a quieter, more intimate African safari experience, going outside of these months is advisable. After all, one of the brilliant things about Chobe is that, even outside of peak season, you are still likely to see a lot of local wildlife on your safari.

If you're a keen twitcher and it’s the park’s amazing birdlife you really want to see, then it’s actually best to visit Chobe National Park during Botswana's summer. Many of the park’s bird species are migratory, making the warmer, wetter months (namely December through March) the best time of year for bird watching here.

Getting clear on your safari priorities will help ensure you visit this game park at the right time of year and get everything you want from your Chobe safari experience.

How Long to Spend in Chobe National Park?

With so much to see, you’ll want to spend at least a few days in Chobe National Park. The prime game viewing times here are during the early morning and late afternoon, so you’ll need to spend at least a night or two in, or near, the park to catch these game drive slots.

Then you’ll also have to fit in a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River!

Chobe River safari, Botswana

Remember that this Botswana national park is huge and that different areas of Chobe offer their own unique wildlife spotting opportunities, so you’ll want enough time to explore several different areas.

Don’t miss the riverside area and the opportunity to take a boat safari on the Chobe River to see the serene sights of the Serondela, which consists of lush floodplains and dense forests that attract huge numbers of elephants and buffalos.

Then, if you have time, you’ll also want to see the Savuti area of Chobe. Savuti is considered by many African safari experts to be Botswana’s ‘predator capital’, meaning that if you want to see the infamous African big cats in action, you’ll want at least one day here. 

Savuti lions, Chobe safari

How to Get to Chobe National Park?

When it comes to travelling to your Chobe safari experience, it’s useful to know that Kasane International Airport is less than a 10-minute drive from the national park’s gate, making it one of the easiest ways to access your safari.

Kasane International Airport is easy to reach from Johannesburg, with daily flights connecting the two, meaning you can fly to Kasane from anywhere that allows a Johannesburg connection.

Alternatively, you can also fly to Victoria Falls Airport to reach Chobe National Park. Just 2 hours by road from Chobe, arriving at Victoria Falls will also allow you to make an epic stop at the world’s largest waterfall on your way to Botswana.

Given Victoria Falls’ breathtaking and iconic status, many people opt for one of our safari packages that starts in Victoria Falls and ends at Kasane - an easy and affordable way to wrap both these magical places into one epic southern African trip.

What Chobe Safari Activities Can You Do?

One of the reasons a Chobe safari is the perfect choice for an epic wildlife adventure is that there’s so much to do!

From epic morning game drives as the sun rises and the park comes to life, to savouring sundowners from the deck of your sunset river boat safari, as you watch the world glide by, Chobe National Park offers it all.

Elephants on Chobe safari game drive

The keen birders among you can also enjoy special birdwatching safaris in Chobe and specialized wildlife photography safaris are also available to those keen to capture the park’s amazing creatures on film.

What Animals Can You See on a Chobe Safari?

Spotting animals will not be a challenge on a Chobe safari in Botswana!

Thankfully there is a wide range of animals in this national park and, when it comes to safari bucket lists, this place has it all!

With the highest concentration of elephants in Africa, this park is also one of the best places to see the continent’s iconic big cats, with lions, cheetahs, and even the elusive leopard, being regularly spotted.

Chobe safari elephants

You can also get up close with drinking water buffalo, bathing hippos and crocs (from the safety of your boat!), and seeing giraffes, wildebeests, warthogs, zebras, impalas, baboons, and hyenas is also common.

Chobe safari lion and wildebeest

Unfortunately, the rhino population in Chobe National Park has been in sharp decline. However, the good news is these amazing animals are being successfully reintroduced into some private areas of this Botswana national park, so it’s hoped their numbers will soon be on the rise again.

Where to Stay?

Where to stay during your Chobe safari largely depends on the level of comfort you’re seeking and your budget.

Botswana is famed for its luxury lodges and, as a result, this country is one of the most exclusive safari destinations in Africa. If you want to splash out on a high-end experience in Chobe therefore, there are many options available.

Of course, not everyone has the budget for a luxury lodge, however, so our Chobe safari packages include a wide variety of accommodation options that are tailored to a range of budgets and are situated both within and close to the park.

Elephant at Chobe lodge, Botswana

If you’d like to stay within the Chobe National Park, there are three main camping sites, plus two luxury bush camps and several permanent luxury lodges.

Is a Chobe Safari Safe?

Botswana is considered one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. It has a strong economy and stable government. As a result, tourism is well-established and welcomed across the country.

However, as always with travel to southern Africa, do make sure you consult the most up-to-date travel advice before arriving here.

Chobe National Park lies in a high-risk malaria zone, so it is advisable to consider taking antimalarial medication. Insect repellent and covering up in the evening are also strongly advised. Always speak to your health practitioner before planning your Chobe safari trip.

What to Pack for an Epic Chobe Safari?

In terms of what to wear on a Chobe safari, you’ll want light loose cool clothing that can protect you from the heat of the sun.

Leave your brightly coloured garments at home and choose muted colours instead, so you don't scare off the animals you're trying to spot.

Shorts are fine to wear in the bush, but it’s more socially acceptable to wear long trousers when in local villages.

Bring warm layers for the cooler evenings, and if you're travelling in the wet season, you'll also want a light waterproof.

It’s good to note that laundry facilities are often included at the safari lodges, so you can pack light and wash along the way.

Other things you won't want to forget are a good camera (to get those snaps of a lifetime!), binoculars for birding, a sun hat and suncream (the sun is strong!) and some insect repellent (bugs are plentiful in the bush and especially around water sources).

Ready for an Unforgettable Chobe Safari Experience?

So there’s the lowdown on one of Africa’s top safari spots and all you need to know for an epic Chobe safari experience!

Chobe National Park safari, leopard

At African Budget Safaris, we have a wide selection of tours available that include a visit to this beautiful Botswana park (see our Chobe safari tours). This means, that no matter how much time you have for your Chobe safari, our team of African travel experts can recommend a trip that fits your itinerary perfectly.