Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa - an estimated 120,000 - and is one of the continent's most wildlife-rich reserves. The park encompasses 11,700 square kilometers of floodplain, woodland, and savanna along the Chobe River, which forms the border with Namibia.

The Chobe riverfront is the park's premier wildlife area. During the dry season, enormous herds of elephants - sometimes hundreds at a time - gather along the river to drink, swim, and play. Boat-based safaris on the Chobe River offer a unique perspective, gliding past hippos, crocodiles, and elephants wading chest-deep in the water, while African fish eagles and carmine bee-eaters provide the soundtrack.

Chobe is more accessible and affordable than the Okavango Delta, yet offers equally impressive wildlife. The town of Kasane serves as the gateway, and day trips from Victoria Falls (just 80 kilometers away) are popular. The Savuti area in the park's interior is famous for its large lion prides and the annual zebra migration.

The dry season (May to October) offers the best game viewing as animals concentrate along the Chobe River. August-October sees the largest elephant herds.

June-August has the coolest temperatures and excellent visibility - ideal for photography.

The green season (November-April) brings rain, migratory birds, and lush landscapes but wildlife disperses across a wider area.