Chobe National Park: Botswana’s Great Elephant Safari
Huge elephant herds on the Chobe River, boat cruises among hippos and crocodiles, and superb birdlife, just an hour from Livingstone and Victoria Falls.
Chobe at a glance
In Botswana’s north-eastern corner, where Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet, Chobe is one of the easiest great parks in Africa to reach.
SizeOver 11,000 km²
GatewayKasane, Botswana
From LivingstoneAbout an hour, via the Kazungula Bridge
Known forElephants, river cruises and birdlife
BirdsOver 450 species recorded
Best timeMay – October for game; November – April for birding
Why Chobe is famous
Chobe is best known for its elephants. Northern Botswana holds one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, and in the dry season, breeding herds gather along the Chobe River to drink, bathe and swim between the islands.
Beyond the elephants, look for lions, leopards, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra and many antelope. Every visit is different.
Two ways to see Chobe
The Chobe River cruise
Often the highlight of a visit: elephants bathing and swimming, hippos surfacing, crocodiles on the sandbanks and buffalo along the shore, all from the water, with beautiful reflections for photographers.
Game drives
Morning and afternoon drives along the riverfront and inland, looking for lions, leopards, and herds of zebra and antelope. Together with a cruise, it’s one of Africa’s most complete safari days.
A note on rhinos: rhinos are not a Chobe sighting. If you want to see them, our white rhino tracking in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, near Livingstone, is your best chance in the area.
When to visit Chobe
Chobe is rewarding all year. The dry season brings the big elephant gatherings; the green season brings birds, newborn animals and lush scenery.
Swipe sideways to see every month.
| Wildlife event | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant herds on the riverfrontChobe River | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | ||||||
| Boat cruises on the Chobe RiverChobe River | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Predators in the dry seasonRiverfront and Savuti | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| Carmine bee-eatersChobe River banks | Good | Good | Good | |||||||||
| Green-season birding and newbornsAcross the park | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Good time to goPeak
Guide’s tip: from August to October, the elephant herds on the riverfront are at their most spectacular, and so is the heat. A morning river cruise is the most comfortable way to see them.
Birdwatching in Chobe
More than 450 bird species have been recorded, making Chobe one of Botswana’s best birding destinations, especially in the green season.
- African Fish Eagle
- African Skimmer
- Saddle-billed Stork
- African Openbill
- Carmine bee-eaters (around September to November)
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Pel’s Fishing Owl, with real luck
The Chobe day trip from Livingstone
Staying in Livingstone or Victoria Falls? Our most popular trip takes you into Botswana for the day, with a river cruise and a game drive in one of Africa’s great parks.
Please bring your passport for the border crossing, and check whether your nationality needs a visa for Botswana.
Included
- Hotel transfers from Livingstone
- Border assistance
- Chobe River boat cruise
- Buffet lunch
- Guided game drive
More Chobe safaris
Want more time in Chobe? Stay a few nights, or combine it with the Okavango Delta, Savuti or Zimbabwe.
4-Day Chobe Safari at Tlouwana Camp
Length4 days, 3 nights
RouteChobe National Park, near Kasane
Game drives, a river cruise and full-board camp stay. An easy add-on to Victoria Falls.
Classic Tented Botswana Safari
Length6 days
RouteChobe, Khwai and the Okavango Delta
A fully inclusive tented safari with scenic flights between camps.
Chobe, Savuti and Okavango Delta
Length10 days, 9 nights
RouteChobe, Savuti and the Okavango Delta
Botswana’s three great safari regions in one fully inclusive journey.
Grand Zambezi Luxury Safari
Eleven days across three countries: Hwange, Victoria Falls and Chobe.
Chobe: frequently asked questions
How far is Chobe from Livingstone?
About an hour by road, crossing into Botswana over the Kazungula Bridge. That makes Chobe an easy day trip from Livingstone or Victoria Falls.
When is the best time to visit Chobe?
May to October for game viewing, with the biggest elephant gatherings from August to October. November to April is best for birds, scenery and fewer visitors.
Do I need a visa for Botswana?
It depends on your nationality, so please check before you travel. Bring your passport for the border crossing in any case.
Can I see the Big Five in Chobe?
Lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo, yes. Rhinos are not a Chobe sighting; for rhinos, join our white rhino tracking near Livingstone.
Explore more
Ready to see Chobe?
Join our day trip from Livingstone, or let us design a longer Chobe and Botswana safari around your dates.