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Most of Botswana is a semi-arid savanna, and most of the rivers only flow when there is massive rainfall. The Chobe River however flows throughout the year thanks to inflows from Namibia and Angola. This feature of the Mighty Chobe River is what makes it the best wildlife viewing experience in the whole world. Whether on a game drive safari or on a sunset boat cruise the experience is unparalleled.
It is every traveller's dream to explore the home of the largest elephant population in the world.
Before getting into the wildlife and adventure side of things, let's get the basics out of the way; How to get to the Chobe, accommodations and some important tips.
Getting to Chobe
Getting to Chobe
The Chobe region of Botswana is located at the Northern tip of the country, where Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe share the world's only quadripoint. The Chobe region is home to one of Botswana’s best tourism and also some of its most fertile agricultural fields. The Chobe Region is accessible by Road, Air and Boat.
Road
The several roads that lead to Kasane, Chobe District's main town and commercial hub. The A33 connects the Chobe Region to Nata in the central district where the A3 road that leads to Maun branches off towards Kazungula, ending up at the Ngoma Border Post where Namibia and Botswana share a border.
The road is paved and well-maintained which makes it easy for all car types to make it there. The road, however, is mostly used by massive freight trucks since the A33 also connects to the Kazungula Border post which serves as a transit route for goods bound for the African interior.
Since the road is paved expect a pleasant drive from the south or northeastern regions of Botswana. Something to be wary of though is driving at night since there are plenty of wild animals crossing the road. The road is also desolate since there are no towns, villages or farming communities until you reach the Pandamatenga farming village closer to Kasane.
You can also opt for an overnight bus from Gaborone, it's a 9-hour journey but since you’d be sleeping you will wake up to the cool breeze of Kasane and the anticipation of a wonderful adventure ahead.
Other roads lead to Chobe, one from Zimbabwe and the other from Zambia. The former runs from Victoria Falls right through the Zambezi National Park to the Kazungula border crossing. The second is the Kazungula bridge route that connects the 2 Kazungula villages on the Botswana and Zambia sides. The Kazungula Bridge is a joint project of Zambia and Botswana to improve trade connections between the two. It was partly funded by a Japanese loan and contributions from both Botswana and Zambia. The bridge is also a tourist attraction that also hosts the Kazungula Bridge Marathon annually in February.
Off-Road
Off-Road
If the paved road sounds a little boring for you there is an offroad alternative that cuts through Khwai, Savute and emerges through Kachikau which will lead you to the A33 some ways between Kasane and the Ngoma Border Post. This is just one of many offroad trails that 4x4 Safari enthusiasts love to use to explore the Chobe Region and the floodplains it feeds.
These Chobe National Park routes are the best way to view animals while on your way to the Chobe River. Elephants, Lions and every type of antelope you can imagine and more can be seen along the drive here. The route is a total of 375 km and takes about 9 hours from Maun to Kasane. I always love to stay at Savuti Camp to make the trip a lot less strenuous.
Air
Air
Kasane is home to the main airport in the Chobe region which connects Kasane to other tourist cities and towns like Maun, Victoria Falls and Livingstone. You can choose to explore this whole Chobe region and beyond by air if you have less time to spare on your itinerary. This is possibly the best way to visit the mighty Chobe River because as your flight descends/ascends you will get to see the national park from a completely different view. You might spot some watering holes dotted along the area of the Park.
Boat
The Glam Traveller might prefer to go along the boat route which will see you board one of the few luxury houseboats that call the Chobe/Zambezi their home. Though it is not the cheapest way to travel between Namibia, Zimbabwe and Namibia it is perhaps the most serene experience.
There is also a river crossing border post station in Kasane which welcomes travelers moving between the 4 countries that meet at the world-famous quadripoint. Namibian locals also use this border post to buy groceries since the nearest commercial centre on the Namibian side is far away.
Accommodation
The Chobe River is home to some of the most exclusive safari lodges along its lush wildlife-rich banks. You can find a luxury safari lodge or even a budget-friendly campsite all within 10km of the river. If you enjoy the exclusivity of staying in the Chobe National Park and its adjacent conservation areas you can choose camps and lodges inside the Chobe National Park. The rates are pretty steep but the experience of hearing wildlife roar in such proximity is also rare so I guess it's worth it.
Activities
Now we get to the juicy part of the article, where we break down the many =heart-racing activities you can look forward to as you explore the Chobe River.
There are 2 main ways to enjoy the Chobe River, a sunset boat cruise or a game drive in a safari car. My personal favourite is the sunset boat cruise. I love sunsets and boats are the coolest way to get around. Most of all the river attracts all the wildlife you can imagine especially in the winter months when there are fewer watering holes for the wildlife around the National Park. On one occasion I spotted the rare elephant crossing the Mighty Chobe River to reach Sedudu Island.
On one of my tours, I captured an encounter between an elephant and a crocodile. The crocodile was lazily basking by the river bank when a teenage elephant finished its bath and made its way out of the water. Since elephants have poor eyesight during the day, they wandered too close to the 2.5-metre African crocodile which responded by snapping its mouth shut and then slipped into the water. It was a case of 2 startled beasts rushing to get away from each other. It was hilarious in hindsight but terrifying in the moment
As exciting as the boat cruise is, there is a special thrill to the game drive, especially in the morning when you can get a chance to catch the animals as they start their day or lazily hide away from the harsh African sun under a tree. If you are adventurous enough, a campsite in the Chobe National Park is a good choice. It will allow you to stay up at night and listen to the sounds of the Botswana wilderness, the perfect ASMR experience. An orchestra of lion roars, hyena laughs, jackal calls and the soprano of the many insects in the wilderness.
If however, you are sure to suffer a sleepless night under the cover of these wilderness sounds, you can choose one of the many Safari Lodges and Campsites in Kasane. My go-to place is Kwalape Safari Lodge for its friendly staff and enchanting man-made jungle. The best part is that you can do all your activities in-house and the friendly reception will organise everything for you.
Chobe to Zambezi
At the end of your trip, it would be worth it to follow the Chobe River till it turns into the Zambezi River in Zambia and Zimbabwe and later on to Victoria Falls. Here you will find even more adrenaline-pumping activities waiting for you.
Taking a stroll with the white lions in Victoria Falls is an experience to live for. You can snap as many pictures of this experience as possible because your friends will not believe you walked with lions.
A Bungy or swing off the Victoria Falls bridge is not for the faint-hearted at all. The thrill of plunging down to the river below coupled with the most amazing view you’ve ever seen. This experience might just make you believe in God if you do not already.
Get up close and personal with the thunderous Victoria Falls. Prepare to get drenched but do not worry it will all be worth it. The views are breathtaking and you get to appreciate why it is one of the seven world wonders.
Book your Chobe Adventure
Book your Chobe Adventure
Now that you have read The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Chobe River, it is time to start planning your Chobe River holiday. How else would you be able to see the Mighty Chobe River, Victoria Falls and the Big Five all in one visit? Heck, where else in the world do you get the opportunity to stand between 4 countries at the same time? So enjoy your Chobe River Adventure and share your adventure with the world.
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