Chobe National Park
Home to the largest elephant population in Africa — an estimated 120,000 elephants roam these riverine forests and floodplains. Chobe offers safari by land AND water, with some of the most spectacular elephant river-crossings on the continent.
About Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park sits in northeastern Botswana, sharing borders with Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It's the country's first national park and home to the greatest concentration of elephants anywhere in Africa. During the dry season, herds of 200+ elephants gather along the Chobe River, creating scenes of almost unbelievable wildlife density.
The park divides into four distinct ecosystems. The Chobe Riverfront is the most accessible and popular — here, boat-based safaris offer unique water-level perspectives of elephants swimming, hippos surfacing, and African fish eagles hunting. The Savuti Marsh is famous for its bull elephants and legendary predator-prey dynamics. Linyanti is a remote, exclusive wilderness for premium safari experiences.
Chobe is uniquely positioned as a day-trip destination from Victoria Falls (90 minutes by road), making it possible to combine the world's greatest waterfall with one of Africa's finest safari parks in a single trip.
Key Wildlife Species
Click a species to read our in-depth field guide
Best Time to Visit
Green months indicate peak safari season
Climate
Semi-arid. Hot dry season (Aug–Oct) with temperatures reaching 40°C. Cool dry (May–Jul) is ideal. Wet season (Nov–Mar) brings afternoon storms.
Highlights
- 120,000+ elephants — largest population in Africa
- Boat safaris on the Chobe River
- Elephant swimming crossings
- 90-minute day trip from Victoria Falls
- Predator action in the Savuti Marsh
- Birding paradise with 450+ species
Activities
- Boat safaris
- Game drives
- Day trips from Vic Falls
- Walking safaris
- Bird watching
- Fishing (catch & release)
- Photography
Getting There
Fly into Kasane Airport (BBK) — 10 minutes from the park gate. Road transfer from Victoria Falls is 90 minutes. Charter flights available from Maun and Johannesburg.
Where to Stay
Insider Tip
Don't just do a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls. The afternoon river cruises are magical — but the real Chobe magic happens at dawn when elephants emerge from the mist along the river. Stay at least one night to experience both the morning and sunset light.
Safari Packages Including Chobe
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Chobe Safari
Let our experts craft a bespoke itinerary featuring Chobe National Park and the best experiences Botswana has to offer.