Chobe National Park – Home to African Safaris

The Chobe National Park is located in the northern part of Botswana, one of the prime destinations for African Safaris in the country. This National Park was the first to be established in Botswana, making it one to visit during African Safari Holiday to Botswana. The Chobe National Park is biologically diverse and culturally rich making it an exciting destination for visitors looking for both wildlife sighting and African Culture Experiences. This National Park is home to the largest elephant population in Africa, with over 100,000 elephants living withing its boundaries. There is no better place on earth to observe the large herds of these majestic mammals roam freely, especially along the Chobe River on a boat cruise experience.

The National Park encompasses about four distinct ecosystems each unique and offering habitant to a variety of form. The popular Chobe River Front is comprised of lush vegetation, rich in wildlife especially elephants and other water wildlife and an ideal destination for boat cruise safaris or boat rides in the park. On the contrary, the Savuti Marsh inhabits predators like lions and hyenas, making it a great place to see them in action. The Linyanti Marsh on the other hand is much more quitter and remote, excellent for bird watching and nature viewing during safaris. You can also visit the Nogatsaa woodland which are often less visited but are perfect for sighting solitude and rare species in the park.

Unique Facts and History of Chobe National Park

The National Park was once inhabited by the San bushmen (also known as the Basarwa people in Botswana) who were nomadic hunter-gatherers that kept moving from place to place within the park in search for food sources, namely fruit, water and wild animals. All that is left of them as of today that you can see during safaris in the park is the San paintings inside rocky hills within the park.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Botswana adopted different land tenure systems that allowed for division of land in the country. The present-day area covered by Chobe National Park was then declared as crown land, which bred the idea of a national park which would protect the varied local wildlife and promote tourism in the country. All this happened in 1931 and thanks to these efforts, the very first efforts to creating the present day Chobe National Park in Botswana began. By 1932, 24,000 km2 (9,300 sq mi) around Chobe district were officially declared a non-hunting area, and this area was expanded to 31,600 km2 (12,200 sq mi) two years later.

In 1943, the area was attacked by tsetse flies and this caused delay in the establishment of the park. In1953, again another 21,000 km2 (8,100 sq mi) were added to the initial and it became a a game reserve. It was finally declared as Chobe Game Reserve after its creation in 1960.  It received the National Park status in 1968, making it the very first National Park to be established in the country.

The locals we then relocated gradually and by 1975 that the whole protected area was exempt from human activity.

Areas to Visit in the Park – Geography and Ecosystems in Chobe National Park

The Chobe National Park has four main regions, each with a distinct ecosystem, with unique environmental characteristics and wildlife species.

The Serondela Area (Chobe Riverfront) – Home to large elephant herds and Boat safaris

The Serondela area, also known as the Chobe riverfront, is located in the far northeastern part of the Chobe National Park. This region of the park is famous for its fertile floodplains and dense woodlands made up of species such as Afzelia quanzensis and Baikiaea plurijuga. It is famous for its dense elephant populations that roam this region, especially along the Chobe River Banks. It is also a popular region for boat safaris and game drives in the park.

The Chobe River forms the park’s northeastern boundary and serves as a vital water source, maily during the dry season between May and October. During this time, large herds of African elephants gather along the River Banks, alongside animals such as giraffes, sable antelope, and buffalo.

These floodplains are also one of the few locations or perhaps the only place in Botswana where you can spot the rare puku antelope. This area is also a rich destination for bird watchin in Chobe National Park, although birding here is mostly seasonal. The commonly spotted species here include the southern carmine bee-eaters, while periods of flooding attract species like African spoonbills, ibises, storks, ducks, and other waterbirds.

The Chobe Riverfront is by far the most visited region of Chobe National Park thanks to its incredible wildlife numbers and the proximity to the iconic Victoria Falls.

The Savuti Marsh Region – Chobe National Park, Botswana

The Savuti Marsh region is located on the western side of the park and spans about 10,878 square kilometers, roughly 50 kilometers north of Mababe Gate. This region is a remnant of a once-extensive inland lake whose water supply was disrupted long ago by tectonic shifts. Today, the marsh depends on the Savuti Channel, which is known for its unpredictable flow patterns, sometimes remaining dry for years before flowing again. In January 2010, the channel reached the marsh for the first time since 1982. Due to the unreliable water supply in the region and inconsistent flow of the Savuti Chanell, the region is made up of dead trees especially along the channel banks. The larger part of this area is comprised of savannah and grasslands, supporting a wide variety of wildlife. During safaris, you can easily spot a number of wildlife species here including, rhinoceroses, warthogs, kudus, impalas, zebras, wildebeest, and elephants among others. It is also a great birding destination in the park.

Predatore also can be spotted around the Savuti Marsh Region of the park especially lions, hyenas, and occasionally cheetahs are also present.

The Linyanti Marsh

The Linyanti Marsh occupies the northwestern corner of the park, bordering the Linyanti River. It lies near the Selinda Reserve to the west and Namibia’s Nkasa Rupara National Park across the Kwando River. This area includes a mix of riverine forests, open woodlands, lagoons, and floodplains. It supports high concentrations of wildlife, including lions, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, hippos, and antelope species such as roan and sable. Less common animals like red lechwe and sitatunga can also be found, along with Nile crocodiles. Birdlife in this region is especially diverse.

Between the Linyanti and Savuti Marshes lies a hotter, drier interior dominated by the Nogatsaa grass woodlands. This lesser-known area receives fewer visitors but offers excellent opportunities to observe species such as the common eland in a more remote and undisturbed setting.

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