The 5 best things to do in Chobe National Park include Game Drives in Chobe National Park, Chobe River Boat Cruises (Morning & Afternoon), Guided Walking Safari in Chobe National Park, Bird Watching in Chobe National Park and Photographic Safaris in Chobe National Park.
"The elephant's world is a gentle one... until Chobe." This quote from renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting perfectly captures the essence of Botswana's first national park. Home to over 120,000 elephants, the highest concentration in Africa, things to do in Chobe National Park revolves around encountering these magnificent creatures up close. Things to do in Chobe National Park offer visitors unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities across diverse ecosystems spanning 11,700 square kilometers. From riverfront adventures to inland explorations, things to do in Chobe National Park promise unforgettable safari experiences for nature enthusiasts of all kinds.
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Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Chobe National Park
1. Game Drives in Chobe National Park
Game drives remain the quintessential things to do in Chobe National Park, offering visitors extraordinary wildlife encounters. Professional guides lead these expeditions through the park's northern sector, where things to do in Chobe National Park center around the famous Chobe riverfront. The sheer density of wildlife makes game drives among the most rewarding things to do in Chobe National Park, with guaranteed sightings during peak seasons.
The best game drives occur in the Serondela area in the northeast section of the park, where the Chobe River creates a lush floodplain. Morning drives typically cost between $65-$120 per person and include an experienced guide, open safari vehicle, and refreshments. Afternoon drives focus on the Ngwezumba pans in the park's interior, offering different wildlife perspectives as animals emerge from midday rest. The magic of sunset combined with elephants bathing makes evening game drives particularly photogenic.
2. Chobe River Boat Cruises (Morning & Afternoon)
Water-based safaris represent the most distinctive things to do in Chobe National Park, providing a unique perspective impossible to experience on land. Boat cruises along the Chobe River showcase the park's aquatic ecosystem, with things to do in Chobe National Park from this vantage point including hippo spotting and crocodile watching. The calm waters make photography-focused things to do in Chobe National Park particularly rewarding, offering stable platforms for capturing wildlife drinking along the riverbanks.
Morning cruises (approximately $45-$85 per person) offer opportunities to witness elephants crossing the river and predators finishing their nighttime hunts. These three-hour excursions include light refreshments and depart from Kasane's various jetties. Afternoon cruises coincide with peak wildlife activity as animals congregate at the water's edge to drink, creating a natural spectacle. Sunset cruises include sundowner drinks and snacks, adding luxury to the essential things to do in Chobe National Park. The combination of golden light and wildlife silhouettes creates unforgettable photographic opportunities.
3. Guided Walking Safari in Chobe National Park
For adventurous travelers, guided walking safaris represent the most immersive things to do in Chobe National Park. These on-foot explorations allow visitors to experience the ecosystem from ground level, where things to do in Chobe National Park focus on tracking wildlife and understanding their behavior. The heightened senses and adrenaline make walking safaris among the most memorable things to do in Chobe National Park for those seeking authentic wilderness experiences.
Walks typically occur in the Linyanti Marshes area in the northwestern section of the park, led by armed professional guides trained in wildlife behavior. These walks cost approximately $70-$115 per person and include safety briefings, guided interpretation of tracks and signs, and refreshments. Morning walks focus on tracking fresh predator signs, while learning about the park's smaller residents and plant life. The heightened awareness of being on foot creates a profound connection with nature that vehicle-based activities cannot match.
4. Bird Watching in Chobe National Park
With over 450 recorded species, bird watching represents one of the most rewarding things to do in Chobe National Park for ornithology enthusiasts. The diverse habitats create exceptional birding opportunities, with things to do in Chobe National Park for birders ranging from spotting African fish eagles to identifying colorful bee-eaters. The seasonal migrations make bird-focused things to do in Chobe National Park particularly exciting during the green season (November-March).
The Chobe riverfront and nearby Kasane Forest Reserve offer prime birding locations, with species including African skimmers, Pel's fishing owls, and carmine bee-eaters. Specialized birding tours cost between $60-$90 per person and include expert guides, transportation, and equipment like spotting scopes. The wetland areas near the Savuti Channel host enormous waterbird populations, including sacred ibis, yellow-billed storks, and several heron species. Combining boat cruises with walking safaris maximizes birding opportunities across different habitats.5. Photographic Safaris in Chobe National Park
5. Photographic Safaris in Chobe National Park
For shutterbugs, specialized photographic safaris represent the ultimate things to do in Chobe National Park. These tailored excursions focus on capturing perfect wildlife images, with things to do in Chobe National Park for photographers including position optimization and lighting considerations. The diversity of settings makes photography-centered things to do in Chobe National Park suitable for both beginners and professionals seeking portfolio-worthy shots.
Photographic boat safaris operate from purpose-built vessels with swivel seats and camera mounts, allowing unobstructed shooting in all directions. These specialized tours cost approximately $120-$180 per person and include professional photography guides, equipment advice, and optimal positioning for lighting. The combination of land and water-based photography opportunities creates diverse portfolios, with elephants, lions, and hippos among the most photogenic subjects. Some operators offer post-safari editing workshops to help travelers perfect their images.
What is the Best Time to Go to Chobe National Park?
The optimal season for things to do in Chobe National Park depends on your specific interests and tolerance for crowds. The dry season (May to October) concentrates wildlife around water sources, making things to do in Chobe National Park more predictable and sightings more frequent. The green season (November to April) offers different advantages, with things to do in Chobe National Park during this period including lush landscapes and newborn animals.
Peak wildlife viewing occurs between August and October when the region's water sources have largely dried up except for the Chobe River. This concentration effect makes game viewing exceptional but also attracts larger crowds to popular areas. The shoulder seasons (May-June and November) offer excellent wildlife viewing with fewer visitors, providing a balanced safari experience.
How to Get There to Chobe National Park
Accessing things to do in Chobe National Park is relatively straightforward compared to more remote African destinations. International visitors typically fly into Kasane Airport (BBK), the gateway for things to do in Chobe National Park and a well-connected regional hub. Alternatively, combining things to do in Chobe National Park with Victoria Falls is popular, with just a 70-kilometer drive between these iconic destinations.
Major airlines including Air Botswana and South African Airways operate regular flights to Kasane from Johannesburg and Gaborone. Many visitors combine Chobe with other Botswanan destinations like the Okavango Delta, utilizing light aircraft transfers between locations. Self-drive options are viable for experienced travelers, with 4x4 vehicles essential during the rainy season.
What to Bring to Chobe National Park?
Proper preparation enhances things to do in Chobe National Park, ensuring comfort and safety during your safari. Essential items for things to do in Chobe National Park include neutral-colored clothing, sun protection, and binoculars. Quality cameras and lenses maximize photographic opportunities, key for documenting things to do in Chobe National Park.
Practical safari clothing includes lightweight, breathable fabrics in muted tones (avoid bright colors that startle wildlife). Mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cold, so layers are essential regardless of season. Other important items include insect repellent, a hat, sunscreen, and a good pair of binoculars (minimum 8x42 specification).
Where to Sleep, Eat and Drink in Chobe National Park
Accommodation options enhance things to do in Chobe National Park, ranging from luxury lodges to mobile tented camps. The Chobe riverfront area offers the widest selection of lodging, complementing things to do in Chobe National Park with comfortable bases for exploration. Savuti and Linyanti areas provide more exclusive options, perfect for experiencing things to do in Chobe National Park away from crowds.
Riverfront lodges include Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, and Chobe Bush Lodge, offering excellent access to both river and land activities. Luxury mobile camps like Wilderness Safaris' Linyanti Tented Camp provide authentic safari experiences with surprising comforts. Most accommodations include full-board meal plans featuring international cuisine with local Botswanan influences.
Read more about the best places to stay in Chobe National Park here
Booking Botswana Safari to Chobe National Park with Dav Safaris
Dav Safaris specializes in creating bespoke experiences highlighting the best things to do in Chobe National Park. Our expert team crafts personalized itineraries based on your interests, ensuring you experience the most rewarding things to do in Chobe National Park. From luxury accommodations to specialized activities, we handle all aspects of planning your adventure around the exciting things to do in Chobe National Park.
Contact Dav Safaris today to begin planning your ultimate African safari adventure!