CHOBE
NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds & wildlife
habitats of the African safari region of Chobe game reserve
in Botswana.
The
extensive safari area in the north-east of Botswana,
can be divided into three distinct regions. We suggest
you also read the descriptions of the other areas
to get a complete overview. These regions are:
The
Chobe River in
the north that forms Botswana’s border with
Namibia, part of which lies within Chobe National
Park;
The Savuti Channel
and Marsh in the interior of Chobe National
Park;
The Linyanti River
and Linyanti Reserve along the western boundary
of Chobe National Park.
There is also a migratory route between Chobe National
Park and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. These
areas are known for having the greatest concentration
of elephants on earth. It is estimated that there
are between 45,000 and 90,000 elephants here!
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To
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Botswana, click here >>> |
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The
Chobe River has its origins in the
highlands of Angola and once it enters Botswana,
it goes through several name changes. It enters
as the Kwando River and immediately becomes
the Linyanti, then the Itenge and is finally
called the Chobe River. Knowing this may avoid
confusion when looking at maps or reading
information.
The
Chobe River area contains an interesting variety
of habitats and is rich in plant life, with
mopane woodland, mixed combretum, sandveld,
floodplain, grasslands and riverine woodland.
Many trees have suffered considerable damage
from the high numbers of elephants, who push
them over and rip off the bark - and some
woods have been totally denuded.
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The
most popular area in and just outside Chobe
National Park is the short 9-mile (15km) stretch
of Chobe River from Kasane town to the Serondela
campsite. Few people come to Chobe without taking
a trip on this river to see hundreds of hippopotamuses
and crocodiles. Both hippo's and elephants epitomise
this park more than any other animals and are
often featured on the cover of brochures to
the area. The only subject more photographed
in Chobe are the exquisite sanguine sunsets
sinking slowly over the water.
Chobe
National Park is probably the most affordable
of Botswana's parks and with the lure of excellent
game watching both on and beside the river,
the well frequented areas can become quite crowded. |
ANIMALS
& BIRDS
Notwithstanding
the elephants, Chobe has some of the finest
game viewing in Africa. It is notable for huge
herds of buffalo and zebras, lechwe, Chobe bushbuck
and being the southernmost point where puku
antelope can be seen. Where there are buffalo,
lions are never far away and there is a good
chance of seeing large prides who laze around
in the shade all day and only yawn themselves
awake at dusk. Hyena and leopard also hunt at
night while cheetah are diurnal predators.
Chobe
is rich in bird life with the Pel's Fishing
own a favourite for bird watchers and the peculiar
strangely beaked African skimmer another speciality.
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African
fish eagles are common and their distinctive
cry is as evocative of the African wilderness
as the roar of the lion.
SEASONS
Rainy season: November to March
with a peak during January and February. Rains
often only begin in mid- December. Travelling
through areas of clay soil can be very difficult
at this time, but much of the Chobe River area
is accessible. These are the warmest months
with temperatures and humidity high and mosquitoes
abundant. The wild flowers that emerge during
the rains are quite stunning and bird life is
abundant. Many animals give birth during this
period of abundant grazing and if you are prepared
to negotiate some mud, the rainy season in Chobe
is a delightful time.
Dry
season: May to October is dry and as
the months progress and water dries up inland,
animals congregate in huge numbers along the
river. Game is at its most dense and easily
visible during the dry season and most visitors
come at this time. October is the hottest month
and although it is the best for game viewing,
it is also the most uncomfortable as the expectation
of rain is high and the heat can be oppressive.
CHOBE'S
SPECIALITIES
· Elephants by the hundreds
especially by the Chobe River during the dry
season
· Sundowner river cruises
culminating in spectacular Chobe sunsets
· 440 species of birds
· Big cats may be seen
stalking buffalo on the grassy floodplains
· Fishing on the Chobe
River for 20 different species of edible fish
· Spectacularly positioned
safari lodges and tented camps along the Chobe
River
· Rare Pel's Fishing
owl can be spotted at night
· Small flocks of African
skimmers, only found in this region are best
seen in June or July
· Exceptional photographic
opportunities
FACTS
In
line with many of Africa's national parks, off-road
and night driving is not permitted.
Chobe National Park covers 7 270 square miles
(11,700 square kilometres)
This is a malarial area.
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Follow
the links below to Botswana's premier wildlife regions and
game reserves.
PRIVATE
SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE CHOBE REGION |
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