Wild Dogs at the riverfront banks with hippos in the river in the background.

Discover Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is renowned as one of the top wilderness reserves in the world, home to the largest concentration of elephants on the African continent. The park also offers excellent sightings of rare antelope species like the puku, Chobe bushbuck, and Sable antelope, as well as a wealth of birdlife, including carmine bee-eaters and the iconic fish eagle. The Chobe Riverfront provides incredible opportunities for game drives and boat cruises, offering close encounters with hippos, crocs, and elephants.

Our Destinations In Chobe National Park

Elephants, Rivers, & One of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Spectacles

Why Visit Chobe National Park?

Chobe National Park safaris are where Africa turns the volume all the way up. Think vast elephant herds kicking up dust along the riverbanks, lions watching from the shade, and sunsets that feel almost theatrical in their delivery.

Located in northern Botswana, Chobe is one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations, famed for its incredible wildlife density and the Chobe River, which serves as its lifeline. Whether you’re arriving as part of a wider Botswana itinerary or combining it with the Okavango Delta, Chobe delivers a safari experience that feels both grand and intimate at the same time.

Pair this destination with any other Botswana destinations for a complete country overview or combine it seamlessly with the Okavango Delta for a contrasting water-based safari experience.

🐾 Largest elephant concentration:

Chobe is home to one of the highest concentrations of elephants on the continent. During the dry season, thousands gather along the river, creating unforgettable sightings from both land and water.

🐾 Unique River Safaris

Unlike many parks, Chobe safari tours include boat safaris along the Chobe River. This gives you a completely different perspective, drifting quietly past elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife.

🐾 Exceptional Game Viewing

Expect regular sightings of lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and a wide variety of antelope. Predators are never far away, especially in the dry months.

🐾 Easy Combinations

Chobe works beautifully alongside:

  • The Okavango Delta (water vs floodplain contrast)
  • Victoria Falls (just across the border)
  • Hwange National Park (for a Zimbabwe extension)
  • Rivers, seasons, and spectacular wildlife moments

    Best Time for Chobe National Park Safaris

    Camp Kazuma and Wildtracks Eco lodge sit on the now-fenceless border, surrounded by Hwange National Park, Kazuma Pans National Park, Kazuma Forest Reserve and Chobe National Park, all of which are unfenced. In the dry season the wildlife from these areas flock to the few permanent water holes close to the lodge, and large herds of elephants and the rare sable and roan antelope. The only thing you don't see there are numerous other vehicles. There are no self-drivers, no day trippers, and only one other lodge 30 kilometres away. The wildlife is yours, as are the sublime sunsets.

    🌿 May to October – Dry Season:

    Peak wildlife viewing as animals flock to the Chobe River; large elephant herds are at their most impressive.

    🌿 June to August – Cooler Months

    Comfortable safari conditions with mild days, crisp nights, and clear skies for photography.

    🌿 November to March – Green Season

    Dramatic skies, vibrant landscapes, and superb birdwatching, with fewer visitors and great value.

    🌿 January to February – Calving Season

    Newborn antelope attract predators, offering exciting game-viewing opportunities.

    We tailor-make Chobe safari tours to suit your travel style, timeframe, and budget.

    Chobe Safari Tours & Packages

    🐾 Short Stays (2–3 Nights)

    Perfect as an add-on to Victoria Falls or a broader Botswana itinerary:

  • Game drives in Chobe National Park
  • Boat safaris on the Chobe River
  • High-impact wildlife viewing in a short time
  • 🐾 Classic Botswana Combinations

    Combine Chobe with two or three of these areas:

  • Okavango Delta
  • Moremi Game Reserve
  • Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans
  • Khwai
  • Linyanti,
  • Central Kalahari Game Reserve
  • This creates a well-rounded safari with varied landscapes and experiences.

    🐾 Fly-In Safaris

    Ideal for those wanting to maximise time and comfort:

  • Light aircraft transfers between camps
  • Seamless connections
  • Access to remote, exclusive areas
  • Rivers, Wildlife, and Unforgettable Sunsets.

    What to Expect

    A Chobe safari with Indigo Safaris promises some of the most spectacular game viewing in Botswana. Expect vast elephant herds along the Chobe River, dramatic predator action on the floodplains, and birdlife that dazzles in every direction.

    Boat safaris glide silently past hippos and crocodiles, while game drives reveal lions, leopards, and buffalo in abundance. Lodges and camps range from stylish riverside retreats to intimate bush hideaways, all offering front-row views of the action.

    With its year-round wildlife and easy connection to the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, Chobe is a safari classic—vibrant, wild, and endlessly rewarding.

    Contact Us

    Where to Stay in Chobe National Park

    We only recommend accommodations we trust, based on firsthand knowledge and experience.
    Guests on a river safari in a motor boat

    Kasane Lodges

    Located near Kasane, these lodges offer:

    • Easy access to river safaris
    • Frequent elephant sightings
    • A range of prices

    We try to avoid using Kasane lodges due to congestion at the northern park gate and the need to drive through town past supermarkets and fast-food outlets, which kills the safari vibe.

    Ngoma camp deck with guests enjoying the sunset

    Ngoma Gate Lodges and Tented Camps

    These have access from a different side to northern Chobe, are used by only a handful of properties, and also have their own dock for river cruises.

    • Easy access to the river
    • Easy access to quieter safari areas
    • Immersive safari experience
    • Kazuma Forest Reserve area

    An hour south of Kasane, on the migration route between Chobe South, the Pans, and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, this secluded, more exclusive area is fantastic during the dry season, from June to November.

    Mababe

    At the southern end of Chobe NP, southeast of Savuti Marshes, is this little-known gem of open savannah grasslands. With only a handful of camps, this little Serengeti is a magnet for wildlife in the dry season.

    Mobile Safaris

    For a more adventurous approach:

    • Fully serviced tented camps
    • Immersive bush experience
    • Flexible locations within the park

    Chobe is one of Botswana’s most accessible safari destinations.

    Getting to Chobe National Park

    This accessibility makes Chobe an excellent starting or finishing point for your safari.

    🐾 By Air

    Fly into Kasane Airport for the north, fly to Khwai and vehicle transfer for Mababe

    🐾 By Road

    Easy transfers to northern Chobe from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia)

    🐾 By Safari Circuit

    Combine via light aircraft with the Okavango Delta or other parts of Botswana

    Chobe National Park: A captivating landscape with birds soaring above and a 4x4 safari car traversing the terrain, highlighting the park's thrilling wildlife adventures and breathtaking scenery.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Chobe National Park Safaris

    2–3 nights in the north of Chobe is usually enough to experience both game drives and river safaris, though longer stays allow for a more relaxed pace. You could add another two nights in Mababe for a totally different environment.

    Yes, boat safaris are a highlight of most Chobe itineraries and are often included alongside game drives on northern Chobe trips.

    Absolutely. Its accessibility, high wildlife density, and variety of activities make it an excellent introduction to safari.

    Yes, very easily. Northern Chobe is just a short transfer from Victoria Falls, making it one of the most popular combinations in Africa.

    The riverfront area can be busier than other parts of Botswana, especially in peak season, so we recommend avoiding it. Kazuma, Ngoma, Muchenje, and Mababe areas are much quieter, but with great wildlife.

    Elephants are the stars, but you’ll also see lions, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile, and abundant birdlife.

    The dry season (June to November) offers the most dramatic elephant gatherings along the river.

    Yes, many lodges cater to families, though age restrictions may apply depending on activities.

    Yes, fly-in options are available and are ideal for combining Chobe with other remote regions like the Okavango Delta.

    Its combination of river safaris, large elephant populations, and easy access sets it apart from many other African parks.

    Start planning your adventure today.

    We don’t do one-size-fits-all itineraries. Every Chobe National Park safari is tailored to you.

    Whether you’re after a quick, high-impact wildlife experience or a longer Botswana journey, we’ll guide you to the right camps, the right timing, and the right combination of destinations.

    Stories from the River That Never Sleeps

    Flowing through Botswana’s northern wilderness, the Chobe River is a lifeline for some of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife. Our collection of stories brings you closer to its rhythms — from vast elephant herds and sunset cruises to seasonal secrets and safari inspiration. Discover when to go, what to see, and why Chobe remains one of the continent’s most captivating safari destinations.