All National Parks
Chobe National Park
Africa's Elephant Capital
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.
Size
11,700 km²
Est.
1967
Peak Season
Jun – Oct (dry season)
From
$300–$1,500/day
Why Visit Chobe National Park?
Africa's highest elephant population (130,000) — daily river crossings in the dry season are extraordinary
Chobe River boat safaris bring you within meters of bathing elephants, hippos, and crocodiles
Three distinct ecosystems: Chobe Riverfront, Savute Marsh, and Linyanti — each with different wildlife
Wildlife
African ElephantLionLeopardBuffaloHippoCrocodilePukuSable Antelope
Activities
Boat SafariGame DriveNight DriveGuided Walk (Savute)Fishing (Linyanti)Photography Safari
Best Time to Visit & Costs
Peak Season
Jun – Oct (dry season)
Best Months
June, July, August
Daily Cost (all-in)
$300–$1,500
Park Entrance Fee
Included in lodge rate
Safari Tours to Botswana
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Browse all safari tours →Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Combine with Nearby Parks
Ready to Visit Chobe National Park?
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