Chobe National Park in Botswana

Mababe Gate is located at the following geo coordinates: -19.1028438, 23.9852437.

An information board reads: “Welcome to Mababe entrance/exit point”.

This is how the road looks if you will drive through Mababe Gate.

The tourist map of Chobe National Park was bought at Mababe Gate.

Two giraffes.

An elephant.

An elephant is walking on dried grass.

An elephant and a yellow field of dried grass is on the background of blue sky.

Chobe National Park can be divided into four distinct sections - Chobe River Front, Nogatsaa, Savuti and Linyanti. Chobe Riverfront, situated on the mighty Chobe River, is known for the massive herds of elephants along the banks. In the rarely visited Nogatsaa area to the south of Chobe Riverfront, you will find pans like Nogatsaa and Tchinga which support a wide variety of wildlife and this area is where you can spot rare species such as the Roan antelope and the Brown hyena. Savuti Marsh is renowned for excellent predator sightings, while the Linyanti region on the Linyanti River, offers a densely wooded area with fewer game sightings but has its own unique charm.

The history of Chobe National Park dates back to 1930 when a section of what is now Chobe National Park was declared a non-hunting area. Nonetheless several industries and human settlements remained in the area as Chobe Game Reserve was only established in 1960. The area around Serondela was a timber plantation and sawmill, the remains of which can be seen today. In 1967 the Reserve was declared a National Park but it took a further 10 years to move all the settlements and industry out of the region. Chobe National Park was further expanded in 1980 and 1987.

Wildlife in Chobe National Park varies greatly from area to area which makes game viewing extraordinarily exciting. Chobe Riverfront is home to huge numbers of the African elephant who slake their thirst in the river, making afternoon game spotting from boats especially rewarding. This is the furthest south in Africa to see the Puku antelope and the elusive Chobe bushbuck. African wild dog sightings are common while lion and leopard can often be spotted - the big cats are used to the Park's frequent traffic. Birding along the river is superb, together with regular sightings of hippo and crocodile.

Savuti is renowned for masses of game when the herds of zebras, Blue wildebeests and Cape buffaloes arrive after their annual migration, attracting large numbers of lions, and is a great place to spot the endangered African wild dog along with common mammals like the giraffe, warthog, kudu, waterbuck and impala. The hyena and jackal scavenge on the plains amongst the statuesque Kori Bustard, Denham's Bustard and Secretarybirds. Elephants can be found at the permanent waterholes or splashing through the marsh. Besides excellent game viewing, Savuti has its own unique scenery and interesting attractions such as, the Baobab Gallery and Rock paintings. A word of warning - a drive up Quarry Hill is not for the faint hearted!

Linyanti section is situated on the Linyanti River and, being heavily wooded and almost forest-like, provides visitors with a different game viewing experience. Birding is excellent and elephants love the area along the waterways. There is a profusion of baboons and vervet monkeys beside the river and when driving look out for leopard keeping a stealthy eye on a potential kudu or impala meal. There are not many game drive roads to cover, which gives you the opportunity to slowly navigate the routes and investigate interesting sightings.

Nogatsaa area is rarely visited because of the current lack of accommodation/campsites and it is a long drive from both Kasane and Savuti. The game is not as accustomed to cars here, so the chance of getting good close-up sightings with undisturbed animals is low. Nogatsaa's draw card is that almost without fail you will be alone at any sightings. Rare antelope species - Roan, Tsessebe and Sable, are often seen and we have been very fortunate with good spots of Brown hyena and leopard. The pans are the main attraction here so spend some time watching herds of elephant and impala feeding on the rich vegetation and drinking the cool water. Birds of prey abound, feeding on rodents and carcasses. Make sure you always have the correct documentation with you on your game drives as the Botswana Defence Force have a strong presence here to defend the area from poachers. We have always found them friendly and helpful and they may even point you towards a game sighting.

Botswana has a sunny climate and you may go for lengthy periods without seeing a cloud in the sky. The best time to visit is during the dry winter months - the weather is not too hot and game concentrates around the diminishing water supply.

Road conditions in Chobe National Park depend greatly on the season and rainfall and you need a 4x4 vehicle to travel in the Park. Thick sand becomes a problem in the Chobe River Front during the dry months, particularly as the temperature rises and during the wet season the roads near the river become muddy. The two access roads to Chobe River Front leading to both gates. Sedudu Gate from Kasane and Ngoma Gate on the western side of the section, are both good tar roads. However the road in the Park from Ngoma Gate is a particularly difficult drive due to the extremely thick sand all the way to the Chobe River.

Savuti roads, mainly the western Sandridge Road from Mababe Gate and the roads both north and south of the Savuti channel are typically thick sand and tricky to drive. When rain has fallen you cannot drive along the marsh roads as the wet black cotton soil becomes completely unnavigable and you will get firmly stuck. As for the access roads to Savuti from the south entering at Mababe Gate, there is a good tar road from Maun for the first 60 kilometers changing to a decent gravel road all the way to the gate although be wary of some sandy patches on this road. There is an excellent gravel road from Khwai Gate, Moremi Game Reserve. Travelling between Savuti and the Linyanti area the road is sandy in places and the going slow, therefore allow ample time to reach your destination. If you are coming from the north via Ghoha Gate the road from Kasane is a good tar one all the way to Kachekau, however the next section to Ghoha Gate is thick sand. After the gate, you have a good sand road to Savuti Campsite. On the road to the Nogatsaa area you will negotiate thick sand for approximately the first 25 km, thereafter it's a decent sand road. Be warned, though, this road becomes waterlogged in the wet season and is not driveable.

There is a very small network of game drive roads in Linyanti, focused around the area next to the Linyanti River. There is thick sand on the access road from Ghoha Gate and, especially if you are driving from Kasane via Kachekau, allow additional travel time as the going on this road is slow. At stages on the road from Savuti to Linyanti there are patches of thick sand, particularly on the last part along the Savuti channel.

Nogatsaa roads are waterlogged during the wet months and very little of the road network can be driven at this time. During the dry months game drives from one pan to the next are a pleasure on good roads with small, thick sandy patches. Once leaving the tar road from Kasane, you'll drive through thick sand for the first 20 kms before reaching a good sand road. The road from Pandamatenga to Phoha Gate is a good cut line road through the forest reserve. Park permits cannot be obtained at Phoha Gate, so temporary permits will be issued which can be paid for at your next campsite or Park gate. The road to Savuti is good except for the final 30 kms, a slow trek through thick sand which is waterlogged during the wet season.

The pointer shows the direction to Rock Paintings.

This road lies near the pointer which directs to Rock Paintings.

The rock with Bushman Paintings.

This footpath leads to the rock with Bushman Paintings.

The rock with Bushman Paintings.

Exotic trees grow on the rock with Bushman Paintings.

The rock with Bushman Art.

The rock with Bushman Art is located at the following geo coordinates: -18.5935, 24.07907.

Bushmen painting hill is a rocky outcrop overlooking the savuti marsh in northern Botswana.

Rock Paintings in Savuti Hills is near Savuti channel.

A tree grows on the rock.

Up on the hill, the paintings, not carbon dated, are thought to be between 3000 to 4000 years old.

Bushmen painting hill is a wild animal region! Make sure that no dangerous animals are nearby!

You have to climb some rock stairs at Bushmen painting hill, be aware that you are on your own risk.

Bushmen painting hill.

Bushman Art.

Baobab Picnic Spot rest stop.

This baobab grows at the following geo coordinates: -18.595, 24.075.

The mighty baobab is located at -18.5951, 24.0751.

It's me on the background of baobab.

Ghoha Gate.

Ghoha Gate is located at the following geo coordinates: -18.38784, 24.24534.

We are going to travel to Ngoma Gate from Ghoha Gate.

This checkpoint is located near Ngoma Gate.

A33 road as seen from the checkpoint near Ngoma Gate.

A33 road.

Ngoma Gate is located at the following geo coordinates: -17.92778, 24.72794.

The checkpoint near Ngoma Gate is highlighted with the following inscription: “Botswana 50, United and Proud”.

Zebras.

Big birds are on the Chobe river.

Herons are flying above the Chobe river.

The strong wind is over the surface of the Chobe river.

Chobe National Park has a wide variety of accommodation/campsites available which ranges from campsites to luxury lodges. There are many accommodation options offered on the outskirts of the Park and you can enter the Park as a day visitor.

Chobe Riverfront has a range of accommodation options. Inside the park you can camp at lhaha Campsite run by Kwalate Safaris. All 10 campsites are situated on the banks of the Chobe River under shady trees and have stunning views. The magnificent Chobe Game Lodge is also situated within the Park. On the outskirts of the Park you will find a host of accommodation options in Kasane on the eastern side just outside Sedudu Gate as well as on the western side outside Ngoma Gate on the road between Ghoha Gate and Savuti.

Savuti Campsite is laid out around a large elephant-proof ablution block which the operators were forced to build because elephants reaching for water broke the infrastructure. An elephant trunk appearing through the window while guests were showering was a frequent occurrence! All 14 campsites lie under shady trees while some have a view of the Savuti channel. The campsite is operated by SKL Camps who also operate the adjacent Camp Savuti luxury tented camp. Just south of Savuti Campsite there are two luxury lodges - Savuli Safari Lodge and Savuti Elephant Lodge. North of Savuti and close to Ghoha Gate you will find Ghoha Hills Lodge.

There is an option to stay outside the Park north of Ghoha Gate at Thobolo's Bush Lodge. On the southern side, outside Mababe Gate camping is offered by Tshaa Lodge and Dijara Riverside Camp.

SKL Camps operate Linyanti Campsite which has five sites and Camp Linyanti. a luxury tented lodge on the banks of the Linyanti River.

There is no permanent self-drive at Nogatsaa, but in an emergency they can accommodate you at Phoha Gate. Nogatsaa Pans Lodge is in the process of being built and will provide luxury accommodation and game drives. The closest camping is either at Kasane or Pandamatenga.

As the campsites are run by different private operators, it can be a challenge to book your trip. The gates and receptions have booking agents, but we strongly advise you to reserve your accommodation before going to the park as there is a limited number of campsites and the Park is extremely popular, particularly during winter. You will be turned away if no space is available and have a long trip back to the nearest town. When camping in Chobe you need to bring everything you need with you as there are no facilities available in the Park. Savuti campsite has a small tuck shop that sells a few basic groceries and refreshments such as soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits.

Fuel is only available in Kasane if you are travelling from the north or in Maun if you are coming from the south. A fuel station is being built on the road between Ngoma Gate and Ghoha Gate but was not yet operational at the time of going to write this article. There are no grocery stores along any of the access roads so we advise you to stock up either in Kasane or Maun.

Game drives are the favourite activity in Chobe National Park. There are many operators running drives from Kasane and you can also take boat cruises from there as well.

Chobe is a malaria area so please consult your doctor before travelling, and we recommend that you bring sufficient bottled water for drinking and cooking. Be alert if walking at night inside the campsites - they are not fenced and animals do wander in. Monkeys and baboons are a problem at the campsites and can be dangerous, so store all food tightly away and out of sight.

The Chobe river.

Baboons.

A baboon.

A monitor lizard.

A baboon is sitting on the ground.

A waterbuck.

Impalas.

A herd of impalas.

A warthog.

Two male impalas.

Three male impalas.

A pelican.

A tall tree.

A dead tree.

A baobab.

An awesome baobab is seen in the far distance.

African buffaloes.

African buffaloes run across the Chobe river.

African buffaloes blocked our way.

Three baboons.

Two baboons is walking.

Impalas and African buffaloes.

The impalas are in Botswana and the African buffaloes are in Namibia.

African buffaloes are grazing on the territory of Namibia.

This is the most numerous herd of African buffaloes I've ever seen.

There are thousands of African buffaloes at the banks of the Chobe river.

A good road runs along the Chobe river.

An obstinacy of African buffaloes.

A herd of African buffaloes.

A gang of African buffaloes.

An obstinacy of African buffaloes crosses the Chobe river.

An African fish eagle.

The African fish eagle “Haliaeetus vocifer” is the national bird of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Sudan.

A skull of an African buffalo.

An African fish eagle is flying against overcast sky.

A crocodile.

A huge skull of an African buffalo.

Two African elephants.

Two African elephants are in the water.

Two African elephants are bathing in the Chobe river.

Two African elephants are playing in the Chobe river.

A funny baboon.

A crash of hippopotamuses.

A bloat of hippopotamuses.

A herd of hippopotamuses.

A hippopotamus.

A pod of hippopotamuses.

This footpath leads to the kitchen of the Elephant Trail guesthouse.

Elephant Trail guesthouse.

Vehicles are in the courtyard of the Elephant Trail guesthouse.

A wooden sign board shows the direction to the rooms of the Elephant Trail guesthouse.

The courtyard of the Elephant Trail guesthouse.

Kasane has grown from a rustic frontier town on the banks of the Chobe River into a bustling tourist centre with facilities that cater for everything the traveller needs. It is the administrative centre of the Chobe district and is located at the point where Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia meet, giving tourists an endless variety of options on where to go next. Wildlife roams the streets while the Chobe River provides the perfect backdrop to sit back and enjoy a magnificent sunset after a day of discovery. This is an African magic at its finest.

The town is easily accessible by road. Travellers from South Africa will drive via Francistown and Nata. From Zambia and Zimbabwe you'll reach Kasane via Kazangula and Kazangula Ferry border posts while visitors from Namibia will drive via Ngoma border post. There are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa to Kasane International Airport.

Accommodation in Kasane ranges from 5 Star lodges to backpackers and campsites so you'll be sure to find something to fit your budget and needs. Most establishments have a restaurant serving good food at a decent price and we suggest you ask someone local where the daily specials are, they'll gladly point you in the right direction. There are some fast food options available and, if you like a curry, we recommend you try "Curry and Coffee and Pizza". The nightlife can be vibrant and noisy though, especially over weekends. Thebe Lodge is a great hangout if you want to socialise with the locals.

A memorable activity whilst in Kasane is to take a boat cruise on the Chobe River with one of the many companies operating from the town. If time permits, take a day trip and enjoy the sights of Victoria Falls or Livingstone. Thrill seekers will find plenty of adrenaline adventures in both towns such as white water rafting, bungy jumping, croc diving and other activities.

Stocking up for your trip in Kasane is a real pleasure as a variety of shops and supermarkets are available and good butchers can be found in town. All the supermarkets sell fresh produce and meat.

Fill your vehicle up with fuel at the Shell Garage, and you'll be able to pick up the car spares that you need at the Motovac Spares shop next door. Please note that Kasane is the last place that you can fill up on the way to Chobe National Park and, if your safari is south through Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, the next filling station is in Maun. A new fuel station is being built near Ngoma Gate - keep an eye out for updates on progress. If you need any emergency vehicle or tyre repairs ask someone at the lodge or in the town and they will advise you on the best place to go.

There are ATMs available throughout the town as well as medical facilities, a post office and courier companies.