Chobe National Park lies in north-eastern Botswana, with the Chobe River as its northern boundary. It has four main areas, the riverfront, Savuti, Linyanti and the Ngwezumba pans, and is known for its large elephant numbers.
- Country
- Botswana
- Type
- National park
- Approx. area
- 11,700 km²
- Best time
- July to October
- Suggested stay
- 2–3 days
- Main gateway airport
- Kasane Airport (BBK)
- Big Five
- Not all five
- Malaria
- Malaria area: see a travel doctor
Why go to Chobe
- One of Africa's largest elephant concentrations
- Boat safaris on the Chobe River
- Savuti, known for lion and hyena
- Easy to combine with Victoria Falls
- Riverside birdwatching
Best time to visit Chobe
Based on average weather and wildlife seasons, the best period to visit Chobe is July to October.
At the height of the dry season large numbers of elephant and buffalo gather along the Chobe River.
The rains disperse animals away from the river, but birding is good.
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | Experience | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20–31 | rainy season | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| February | 19–31 | rainy season | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| March | 19–31 | rainy season | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| April | 16–30 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | moderate |
| May | 12–29 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | moderate |
| June | 9–26 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | busy |
| July | 9–26 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | peak season |
| August | 12–30 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | peak season |
| September | 16–34 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | peak season |
| October | 20–36 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | busy |
| November | 20–34 | some rain | ★★★★★ | moderate |
| December | 20–31 | rainy season | ★★★★★ | moderate |
What you can see
Wildlife you may see in Chobe includes elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, lechwe, sable antelope, kudu and birdlife.
Things to do
Getting there
Kasane sits on the park edge by the Chobe riverfront and is reached by air or by road from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (about 1.5 hours). Savuti is reached by light aircraft or 4x4.
Trips to Chobe
No trips are listed for this destination yet. Send a request and we will check with providers.
Plan by travel style
- Chobe for families
- Chobe for a honeymoon
- Chobe for photographers
- Chobe for a first safari
- Chobe on a budget
- Chobe for luxury travel
Compare with
- Chobe vs Okavango Delta
- Chobe vs Central Kalahari
- Chobe vs Lower Zambezi
- Chobe vs Mana Pools
- Chobe vs Addo
- Chobe vs Etosha
Travelling to Chobe from
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Chobe?
Generally July to October. At the height of the dry season large numbers of elephant and buffalo gather along the Chobe River.
How many days do I need in Chobe?
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 days there, not counting travel days.
How do I get to Chobe?
Kasane sits on the park edge by the Chobe riverfront and is reached by air or by road from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (about 1.5 hours). Savuti is reached by light aircraft or 4x4.
Is there malaria in Chobe?
Yes, it is in a malaria-risk area. See a doctor or travel clinic well before your trip.
Sources: Botswana Tourism - Chobe National Park · Botswana Tourism - Savuti and Linyanti · Climates to Travel (1991-2020 normals) - Kasane
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.