Planning a Chobe National Park Camping Safari: The Ultimate Guide to Adventure, Photography, and Wildlife
Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, Chobe National Park is a pristine wilderness area that calls to nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Established in 1967, this iconic park is located in northern Botswana, bordering the Chobe River and extending into the Okavango Delta region. Covering approximately 11,700 square kilometers, Chobe National Park is renowned for its staggering diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros) and a rich tapestry of birdlife. Its various landscapes, which range from lush floodplains to arid savannahs, make it a must-see destination for anyone seeking an authentic African safari experience.
A Bit of Background
Camping safaris at Chobe National Park offer an unparalleled opportunity to immerse oneself in the heart of untamed Africa. This remarkable park provides the environment for travelers to connect with nature on an intimate level. Chobe boasts a range of campsites, each with its own unique charm, from the serene Ihaha Campsite overlooking the Chobe River to the rugged Savuti Campsite, nestled in the heart of the wilderness. Visitors can expect to wake up to the sounds of the wild, with elephants often wandering through the campsites, making camping in Chobe a truly unforgettable adventure.
Planning Your Trip
best time to book your safari
The most important piece of advice I can give for planning your safaris, is to book very early! Booking African safaris well in advance is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, popular safari destinations most often have limited accommodations and tour availability. By securing your safari early, you can ensure that you have a wider selection of options to choose from. Secondly, early booking may also lead to cost savings. Many safari providers offer early-bird discounts, so reserving your safari well in advance can help you secure the best deals, ensuring an unforgettable and budget-friendly adventure in the heart of the African wilderness.
We recommend booking your safari 8-12 months in advance. Safari operators’ calendars fill up very quickly in the busy season, so make sure you book early to secure your spot!
Best Time to visit chobe
Southern Africa's peak safari season is May through October, mainly due to the dry climate during these months. Early booking guarantees you a spot during the prime time for wildlife viewing and comfortable weather conditions.
Choose Your Own Adventure
There are many safari options within Chobe National Park. You can take a full day trip, meaning you are returned to your original accommodations by evening, or stay in or around the park anywhere from overnight up to 7 days. There is a variety of options when it comes to accommodations for your safari, at a variety of lodges in and around Chobe National Park.
We opted for a 3 day, 2 night camping safari booked through our hostel in Livingstone, Zambia. Many tourists will fly into Livingstone and use this city as a jumping point to and from Chobe National Park. Since we booked through our hostel, Jollyboys Backpackers, the transportation to Chobe National Park was included in our package. During the safari, our transportation was an open air 4x4 game vehicle.
Our safari tour was operated by Kalahari Tours. They were licensed professionals, incredibly informative, and kept us safe and fed with delicious meals day after day. The cost for the 3 day, 2 night camping safari was USD $430 per person.
Visas
Tourism Levy and visa fees are rarely included in the cost of the safari, so be sure to find our from your tour operator whether or not visas are incorporated in the cost. For Americans, the Kaza Univisa is necessary to enter Zambia and Zimbabwe, and it also covers those who visit Botswana for day trips through Kazungula borders. Note, if you plan to stay overnight in Botswana, a new visa would be required upon your return to Zambia or Zimbabwe. At the time of writing this article, the visa costs USD $50. You can find a full list of the 65 countries eligible for the Kaza Univisa here.
Single Entry Visa USD $50
Allows travelers to enter Zambia only once during the validity of the visa.
Double Entry Visa USD $80
Allows the traveler to enter Zambia twice during the validity of the visa.
Multiple Entry Visa USD $80
Allows the traveler to enter Zambia multiple times during the validity of the visa.
What You Can Expect to See
While on your safari adventure in Chobe National Park, you can expect to encounter not only its renowned elephant herds but also some of the iconic members of Africa's prestigious "Big Five." The Big Five includes the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros, and Chobe offers a remarkable chance to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Chobe is renowned for hosting one of the largest populations of elephants in Africa, offering tourists the opportunity to witness these majestic giants up close.
Lions also roam the savannahs and woodlands of Chobe. With patience and a bit of luck, visitors may have the privilege of observing these apex predators in the animal kingdom.
Leopards, known for their elusive nature, are more challenging to spot. Chobe's diverse ecosystem provides a suitable environment for these solitary and elegant big cats.
Buffalos, with their massive herds, are a common sight in Chobe. These intimidating herbivores graze peacefully and often gather at waterholes, making for an impressive spectacle.
The park also offers the opportunity to spot the elusive black rhinoceros, although sightings are less common due to their critically endangered status. Chobe's efforts in conservation make it a vital refuge for these magnificent creatures.
Chobe is also a birdwatcher's paradise, boasting over 450 avian species. The park's wetlands and riverbanks are teeming with an array of colorful and exotic birds, including the iconic African fish eagle, stately secretary bird, and the iridescent lilac-breasted roller.
Journeying through the park, you'll encounter impalas, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and more, all coexisting in an untamed landscape. Additionally, Chobe is a habitat for the endangered African wild dog, offering a rare glimpse of these charismatic and elusive creatures as they navigate the wilderness in their distinctive packs. Camping in Chobe National Park presents an unrivaled opportunity to connect with the untamed beauty of Africa and its astonishing wildlife.
3 Day, 2 Night Camping Safari Itinerary
Here is the schedule for our 3 day, 2 night camping safari at Chobe National Park, courtesy of Kalahari Tours.
Day One
We started with an early morning drive to the Zambia Botswana border. This drive was roughly 4.5 hours. Once we arrived at the border, we went through customs, got our visas, and walked over to Botswana to meet the next transport.
09:30 am
Upon arrival at Chobe National Park, we took a riverboat cruise down the Chobe River.
12:30 pm
Lunch at Coffee Buzz.
01:30 pm
Game Drive in Chobe National Park. This drive was the most impactful because we were up close and personal with a small herd of elephants almost immediately.
06:30 pm
Arrive to the campsite. Our campsite and dinner were prepared by safari staff. The food was really good, and they were able to accommodate any dietary restrictions with prior notice. We stayed up with some campmates and a bottle of wine under the full moon and made great new friends. Try to go to the bathroom before everyone is down for the night because walking to the toilet in the middle of the night in sheer darkness is terrifying. Always use a flashlight to check the area for reflective eyes before you go out.
Day Two
06:00 am
Continental breakfast at camp, prepare for the day.
06:30 am
Early morning game drive. We saw three adolescent male lions playing right outside of our camp this morning. The terrain on this game drive was surreal, it looked and felt like we were on another planet with the sunrise and foreign landscape.
11:00 am
Return to camp for brunch and to hang out for a bit. We were allowed to walk around but recommended to stay near the campsite for our safety.
03:00 pm
Afternoon game drive.
06:30 pm
Dinner and relax at camp.
Day Three
06:00 am
Continental breakfast, prepare for the day.
06:30 am
Early morning game drive.
11:00 am
Brunch at camp and load up the game vehicle for the scenic drive back.
01:30 pm
Riverboat Cruise on Chobe River.
04:30 pm
Drop off in Kasane/Kazungula, and head back to our accommodations.
Packing List
If you’re like me and have chosen a camping safari for your trip to Chobe National Park, you’ll want to pack light, bringing only the essentials. For a camping safari in Botswana during the winter months, you’ll need to be prepared for colder temperatures. While what is essential for each of us may differ, here are some items I packed to make sure I was fully prepared for my 3 day, 2 night camping safari in Chobe National Park:
The winter months offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities at Chobe National Park. A camera with extra batteries and memory cards are crucial for capturing these moments.
A quality pair of binoculars are another great way to view wildlife, and capture the moment with your mind’s eye.
Warm clothing: Botswana’s winter nights can get pretty chilly, so be sure to pack thermal layers, fleece jackets, and a good-quality winter jacket. Be sure to bring gloves, a beanie, and a scarf to keep yourself warm on the early morning game drives.
While it may seem like a given, closed toed shoes are a necessity on your safari tour. Occasionally you may hop out of the open air vehicle to stretch your legs, walk around and explore your immediate surroundings. You don’t want to get caught in the wild with your toes out and about. Also, it’s cold! I personally opted for a comfortable pair of sneakers and a chunky sock. Insulated shoes or hiking boots were not needed in my opinion.
Sunglasses are essential to protect your eyes from the bright winter sun.
Bring a headlamp and extra batteries! Winter days are shorter than most, and it gets dark quite early, so a reliable headland is essential for navigating your camp and for evening activities. To take it a step further, I’d recommend purchasing a headlamp with red light capabilities. Using a red light in the wild is great for a number of reasons:
Preserves your night vision, meaning your eyes don’t need to adjust when it is turned on and off.
Less attractive to insects than a white or yellow light source.
Less likely to startle or disturb wildlife and nocturnal animals.
Red LED consumes less energy than white ones, so using a red light can help conserve your headlamp batteries, which is important for extended camping trips.
Winter-appropriate toiletries: Be sure to include items like moisturizer, lip balm, and hand warmers to combat the dry, cold air.
Don’t forget your travel documents and emergency contacts! Be sure that your passport, visas and any necessary permits are up-to-date and protected from moisture, and maintain a list of emergency contacts, including your embassy or consulate, local authorities, as well as your safari operator's contact information.
Insect repellent may not be a top priority for your safari if you’re traveling during the winter. Since it is the dry season, the mosquito population is generally significantly reduced due to the lower temperatures and drier conditions. This means the risk of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria is greatly reduced during this time. That being said, it’s always a good idea to check with your tour operator or local authorities as some areas might have residual mosquito populations, especially near water sources.
It’s important to pack lightly for the safari and game drives. If you have large luggage, its advised to contact your hotel or hostel to see if they can store the luggage until your return. Space is limited on the game drive vehicles, and depending on your scheduled dates, it may be a full booking.
Where Should You Go Next?
After our safari in Chobe National Park, my partner and I returned to our hostel in Livingstone, Zambia and explored the city for another week. We went on an evening riverboat cruise, took another safari to Kafue National Park in Zambia, and crossed the border and visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe before heading back to Johannesburg, South Africa to continue our 30 day journey in Southern Africa.