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Find out more about an extraordinary Chobe National Park Safari below:
Enjoy a Chobe National Park Safari at Botswana’s Most Famous Wildlife Park
Of all the national parks in Botswana, Chobe is a name synonymous with exciting wildlife sightings. It is the place to enjoy an authentic African safari and guests frequent this national park in the hopes of seeing the animals that have made it famous.
A Chobe National Park Safari tour from Victoria Falls is one of the more popular options for guests travelling through Southern Africa.
Chobe National Park takes its name from the Chobe River which forms a protective northern boundary for the 11 700 km of pristine parkland. Within the park’s confines, explorers will find lush vegetation fed by the water of the floodplains and marshlands, along with herds of game that have given the park its legendary status.
Chobe National Park Safari tours offer a variety of ways to see wildlife. Trips in comfortable safari vehicles combined with boat rides down the Chobe River gives guests a unique perspective that they won’t experience elsewhere.
The History of Chobe National Park
The park was founded in 1967, but its history goes further back than that. The first people to live in the area were the San Bushmen. The particular tribe living in the Chobe vicinity were called the Basarwa, and they lived a straightforward but nomadic lifestyle. Many of their rock paintings can still be seen adorning the rocky hills of the park. In the early part of the twentieth century, they were joined by the Basubia and Sekgone tribes.
By the time the 1930s rolled around, the then commissioner of Bechuanaland, the name Botswana had while under colonial rule, visited the area around the Chobe River and laid down a proposal to proclaim the whole area as a wildlife reserve. He was following the example set by South Africa when the Kruger National Park was proclaimed a wildlife sanctuary to protect animals from hunting and promote conservation. By 1932, an initial 24 000 square kilometres of land was set aside for conservation and strictly prohibited hunting.
Although the land had been preserved, it had not yet been proclaimed a national park. 1943 brought about a plague of tsetse flies, which forced the national park to be further delayed. It was only 10 years later, in 1953, that the land could be considered for “national preservation” status once more. In 1960, the Chobe Game Reserve was officially christened and in 1967, it became a national park.
One of the big obstacles facing the park in the early years after it proclaimed that there were already several industrial settlements in the area. The timber industry, in particular, had many investments in the Chobe region. Slowly but surely, each of the industries was removed from the park, and by 1975, the park was free from industry although guests can still see the traces of this past while visiting the Serondela area.
An Abundance of Animals
The park is situated in the North of Botswana, and it is but a short distance away from the iconic Okavango Delta. Home to Africa’s biggest elephant population and with an abundance of Cape buffalo, Chobe is the place to go on safari in Botswana. For many months of the year, the park is dry, and guests will see huge herds of elephant and buffalo attempting to find food on the barren grasslands.
An estimated 12 000 elephants live here, and they are often seen frolicking in the waters of the Chobe River, living a life free from danger. The river is also home to a massive hippo population and crocodiles are often spotted. For those hoping to capture rare birds on film, Chobe offers some of the best opportunities to do so.
Lion, leopard and all kinds of antelope also inhabit the park and are frequently spotted.
Chobe National Park Safari tours are available as inclusive travel packages, many designed to accommodate various budgets. Be sure to have a look at our selection of tours when planning your Chobe safari.
Things to do in Chobe
Although it is a wildlife reserve, there is so much more to do here than go on safari. When travelling in Chobe, regardless of the style you choose, you will experience an unforgettable trip that will give you a real taste of Africa.
Here are some of the things to do in Chobe:
- Boat Cruise
One of the many perks of visiting Botswana is that you can experience a boat cruise through some of the most beautiful parts of Southern Africa. Sunset cruises on the Chobe River offer the perfect opportunity to sit back with a drink and watch the wildlife and birds come to the river. This also happens to be one of the best times to capture stunning photographs.
- Fishing
There are not many National Parks in which you can sink your fishing hook, but Chobe happens to be the one place where you can. Chobe River has an abundance of fish, and it has over the years become a popular fishing destination. Some tour operators and lodges offer fishing as part of their travel package, make sure that you select yours accordingly if you wish you try your hand at catching a Tigerfish or two!
- Bush Walks
Seeing animals from a safari vehicle or a boat is one thing, but getting up close to one on a bushwalk is another experience altogether. Bush walks are done in the company of an armed guide, which means you’ll not only be safe, but you will also enjoy a truly educational experience. Learn all about tracking animals, the habitats they live in and other interesting facts all along the way.
Chobe National Park is a symbol of Botswana’s proud heritage, and it is a must-visit attraction when you find yourself visiting Botswana. We offer a selection of Chobe National Park Safari tour packages. Please browse through our online catalogue and book your trip today.