Chobe National Park

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.