The Chobe River in Botswana is still one of the most famous and sought after Safari destinations in Africa today.
Home to the greatest concentrations of elephants on the African continent Chobe National Park is a place of many parts with the best known area being the riverfront. It is here where the great herds concentrate during the dry season.
Once ranging across vast areas of southern Africa the elephants were slaughtered in their thousands by armies during the war of independence in neighbouring Namibia. Because of this the herds stopped moving across the river and the legend of Chobe was born.
Chobe's vast floodplains draw buffalo and numerous antelope species and with all these the predators. The river also provides a unique opportunity to view wildlife from a different angle - from the water.
Although Chobe is the area of highest tourist density in Botswana this does not detract from the quality of the game experience. There may be more vehicles but the wildlife is plentiful.
Best time to visit Chobe: Good to visit all year round. During the dry season there is a concentration of game along the permanent watercourses and pans and Chobe is excellent for game this season of the year. During the wet summer months the birdlife is spectacular along the river as the migrants and permanent residents are all on show.The Chobe River area has the greatest range of accommodations of any wilderness area in Botswana, from rustic camping to six star lodges, and all in between. There are choices of staying in the park itself or in close proximity to the gates.
'A beholden view! This must truly be one of the best views of any lodge in Africa. We looked out over the vast floodplains of the Chobe River and were able to see herds of elephant and buffalo milling around at the water's edge'.