Chobe National Park - Safari in Botswana

Globally, Chobe National Park is primarily known for one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. However, the 'Park of Giants' has much more to offer: Our blogger Melanie has discovered the diversity of the national park on an exciting safari through untouched nature.

The fascinating Chobe National Park is not only the third largest and wildlife-rich national park in Botswana but is also primarily known for one thing worldwide: Within its impressive 10,698 km² lives one of the largest elephant populations in Africa with over 100,000 individuals, which is why it is often referred to as the 'Park of Giants.'

But it's not just the gentle giants that you can come close to in Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. There is so much more to discover and experience!

A guided safari with a guide is certainly a wonderful experience, but a tour in a jeep with a rooftop tent on your own is something truly special. In the early morning and evening hours, you venture out alone, armed with a sense of adventure, binoculars, and a camera, on the hunt for the legendary Big Five. Anything can happen at any moment.

At night, you sleep under the breathtaking African starry sky in your rooftop tent, listening to the sounds of the nocturnal wildlife in the bush. You can't get any closer to the wonderfully beautiful nature of Chobe National Park!

My tip: The stunning Savuti Campsite has particularly wild campsites, completely without fences. In the vast, open grass savannas of Savuti (located in the western part of Chobe National Park), many lions roam, who sometimes love to wander through the campsite. How exciting is that?

The small town of Kasane is the perfect starting point for an exciting boat trip on the Chobe River, which springs from Angola. With a small boat, you search for giant crocodiles, hippos lounging under the sun and yawning loudly, and rare birds like the Malachite Kingfisher. But watch out: Sticking fingers in the water to feel the temperature is strictly forbidden, they can snap off quickly!

My tip: You can easily book such a boat tour at your accommodation. I particularly recommend the beautiful Ngoma Safari Lodge, which is situated in the Forest Reserve and borders directly on Chobe National Park. There are no fences separating it from the national park, and with a bit of luck, you can even observe large herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other animals right from your terrace.

Throughout the many different vegetation zones of Chobe National Park, a variety of animal and plant species from Africa make their home here. I found our encounter with a pack of wild dogs, an extremely endangered species, absolutely unforgettable: The very rare animals suddenly appeared in front of our jeep during our morning game drive. We stopped and turned off the engine. The wild dogs stayed near our car for over 15 minutes, it was amazing!

For your information: If you want to go on safari in Chobe National Park with your own jeep, the current fee is 120 Pula per person and 50 Pula per vehicle for a 24-hour entry. At the gates (of which there are a total of five: Mababe, Linyanti, Ghoha, Ngoma, and Sidudo), you also need to show your reservation for a camp or lodge for the night. Without a booking, you are not allowed to stay in the park at night.

During the dry season between April and October, all the animals of the park congregate at the few waterholes, which significantly increases your chances of sensational wildlife observations. Additionally, the animals have fewer options to hide behind bushes and tall grass due to the dried vegetation.

Nevertheless, the rainy season (from November to March) also has its charm: The entire landscape becomes incredibly green and teeming with life. This is also when many animals have their young, and the clumsy baby elephants are incredibly cute!

Have you ever been to Botswana and perhaps visited Chobe National Park? What were your most memorable moments there? Or does Botswana still sit on your bucket list? I look forward to your comments!

By the way, combining Chobe NP with the world-famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia is also a perfect opportunity!

This trip was supported by Africa Albida Tourism and ASCO Car Hire.