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Chobe National Park

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matttan
matttan
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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3
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Editor Pick

Sunset Cruise on the Chobe River

Sunset Cruise on the Chobe River

Chobe National Park is home to the largest herd of elephants in Africa. Literally thousands of them live there. On our morning game viewing drive in Chobe park, we saw exactly zero. But, if you want to see elephants, the time to see them is late afternoon, down by and in the river. On our evening cruise along the river we saw hundreds of elephants that had come to the river to eat, cool off, and play. There were several family groups of about a dozen each along the shore, and hundreds stretched out all along the shallow parts of the river, many eating the marshy grasses.

We rode in an excursion boat with seats for about 50 people or so on the shaded main deck. There was also a smaller upper level observation deck which could only take about 15 people at a time. There was a cash bar at the back of the boat, and a couple guides to help point out animals and explain some of their behaviours. It was never anything like a drunken booze-cruise, just a very pleasant evening and they make the drinks available for those who want to buy them. Besides our two kids, there were other families with small children, also.

Besides the elephants, we also saw hippos, crocodiles, African fish eagles, and buffalo, as well as a very beautiful sunset behind profiles of elephants.

From journal Safari to Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana

Editor Pick

Chobe Park Morning Game Drive

Chobe Park Morning Game Drive

Up and loaded onto safari trucks at the hotel while it was still dark, we started our day with the chilly drive to the entrance of Chobe National Park as part of a fleet of a half-dozen trucks from our hotel. We were very excited to be headed out for a 3-hour game viewing drive. As we headed down the bumpy road in the park, we saw our first big animal, a giraffe, before it was even light out. After watching the sun rise over the bush, we continued our trip. The game drive is scheduled for 3 hours total and the time went quickly. The trip includes a break for tea and cookies near the end of the trip. The highlight for us was finding a group of four lions relaxing in the morning sun, but we saw plenty of other animals, too, including baboons, kudu antelope, hippos, impala, the multi-colored lilac-breasted roller bird, and much more. According to the guides, every day's trip is a little different and you never know exactly which animals you are going to encounter. But Chobe National Park has an abundance of game, so you're just about guaranteed to see many interesting animals.

From journal Safari to Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana

Chobe National Park Safaris

  • December 10, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by matttan from Chiang Mai, Australia
Chobe National Park seems to have the densest amount of game of all the parks we visited. This means that you can see an awful lot as you are driven through the park.

Make sure you ask to head out before the sun rises. This will mean you get into the park and down to the Chobe river as all the animals get there for their morning drink. It's wonderful to watch the sun rise, creating a beautiful soft light, as elephant, impalla, birds, and many other animals come down to the water's edge to drink. As you continue through the park, you can see hippo (we saw a herd of about 20 in the water just a little way from our car), crocodiles, and many other animals.

We also had our only siting of a wild dog in Chobe. Wild dogs are incredibly rare, and so we count ourselves really privelaged to have seen one. They are a most amazing animal, when you learn of their hunting technique, and their pack comeradery.

After you finish in the park, spend the rest of the day lounging by the pool in the park's main accommodation area, before an evening river cruise, and drinks over the water as the sun sets over the river!

From journal Delta & Wildlife in Botswana

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