Why Visit Chobe National Park
The top experiences that make Chobe National Park worth the journey.
About Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is Botswana's first national park and home to Africa's highest concentration of elephants — an estimated 120,000–130,000 animals, making the Chobe River front one of the most spectacular wildlife corridors in Africa. Unlike most African parks, Chobe offers both traditional land-based game drives and exceptional river boat safaris, allowing close approaches to bathing elephants and hippos from the water.
Wildlife to look for: African Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile, Puku, Sable Antelope
Popular activities: Boat Safari, Game Drive, Night Drive, Guided Walk (Savute), Fishing (Linyanti), Photography Safari
Established 1967, covering 11,700 km².
Plan Your Visit to Chobe National Park
Everything you need to know before booking your Chobe National Park safari — from the ideal season to budget expectations and logistics.
Best Time to Visit Chobe National Park
Peak season is Jun – Oct (dry season), when wildlife viewing is at its best. The top months to visit are June, July, August, September, October.
June–October is peak season when elephants concentrate on the Chobe River in huge numbers. The dry season creates dramatic wildlife density. November–April is the wet season — the bush turns green, migratory birds arrive, and calves are born. The Savute Marsh floods during big rain years, creating exceptional wildlife aggregations.
What It Costs
Expect to budget $300–$1,500 per person per day, all-inclusive of accommodation, meals, and game activities. Park entrance fees run Included in lodge rate.
Chobe safaris typically run $300–$1,500 per person per day depending on lodge tier, with park fees included in most lodge rates. Budget options are limited near Chobe itself, but Kasane town offers more affordable lodging with day trips into the park.
Getting There
Most visitors fly into Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe/Zambia) or Kasane Airport (Botswana), both well-connected from Johannesburg. Kasane, the main gateway to Chobe, is just a 1-hour drive from Victoria Falls, making the two easy to combine in a single circuit. Direct road transfers and light aircraft charters connect Kasane to camps throughout the park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chobe National Park
How many elephants are in Chobe?
Chobe hosts an estimated 120,000–130,000 elephants — the largest elephant population in Africa and possibly in the world. The Chobe River acts as a dry-season magnet, drawing herds of 500–1,000 animals to the riverfront for daily bathing and drinking. Seeing these massive herds crossing the river is one of Africa's most memorable wildlife spectacles.
What is a Chobe boat safari?
Chobe boat safaris are afternoon game drives conducted from flat-bottomed motorboats on the Chobe River. You observe wildlife from the water's surface — elephants swimming across, hippos rising from the water, crocodiles basking, and hundreds of birds in the riverine trees. Kasane town (the main gateway) has many boat operators. Most Chobe lodges include boat safaris.
How do I combine Chobe with Victoria Falls?
Chobe and Victoria Falls are 70 km apart — a 1-hour drive. This is Africa's easiest and most popular combination: Kasane (Chobe) and Livingstone/Victoria Falls are directly connected by road and are often done as a 4–5 day combination from Johannesburg. Many lodges operate on both sides of the border.
When is the best time to visit Chobe?
June–October is peak season when elephants concentrate on the Chobe River in huge numbers. The dry season creates dramatic wildlife density. November–April is the wet season — the bush turns green, migratory birds arrive, and calves are born. The Savute Marsh floods during big rain years, creating exceptional wildlife aggregations.
What is the difference between Chobe River Front and Savute?
The Chobe Riverfront (Kasane area) is known for elephants, hippos, and boat safaris. Savute (centre of the park) is known for lions hunting elephants, wild dog packs, and Savute Marsh wildlife in the wet season. Linyanti (northwest, private concessions) is known for African wild dog and sable antelope. Staying in two areas gives a more complete Chobe experience.
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