Chobe National Park

Elephant Haven in Botswana

Chobe National Park in Botswana is a major wildlife area along the Chobe River. It covers different habitats including floodplains, forests and savannas. Visitors often see large herds of elephants, especially during dry months when they gather near water sources. Other animals include lions, leopards, buffalo and many bird species. The park is accessible by road or small plane from the capital, Gaborone. Guided tours provide safe ways to observe wildlife while learning about local conservation efforts that protect this important ecosystem.

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National Park in Botswana

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	3
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	3

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken in Botswana, especially in tourist areas like Chobe, ensuring smooth communication for English-speaking visitors.

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Last update: 26 Oct 2026

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Chobe National Park Summary

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World-class for wildlife safaris. Watch elephants along the river, take boat safaris, photograph diverse animals and explore vast savannah landscapes.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Wildlife

Rivers

Natural sites

Guided tours

Boating

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

♻️ 7

Sustainability

Botswana – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type M Type C: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Botswana Pula (BWP) £1 ≈ BWP 18.38
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Botswana, particularly in larger cities like Gaborone. However, cash is still widely accepted. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Botswana. It is customary to leave 10% in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not widely accepted in Botswana, though alcohol can be consumed in licensed venues or private areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.

Botswana Day (September)	Expect national celebrations with parades and public events.
New Year’s Day (January)	Expect public celebrations and some business closures.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 999
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Botswana is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, offering incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Chobe National Park, Botswana

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌦️

Mar

🔥

Apr

🔥

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

🔥

Oct

🔥

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season May to October is best for game viewing, with wildlife concentrated along the Chobe River

Rainy season November to March: inland sand and mud tracks can become impassable, lodge rates drop

Don't miss

🦁 Join thrilling game drives for wildlife spotting
🚤 Take a boat cruise on the scenic Chobe River
🐘 Watch massive elephant herds at Chobe Riverfront
🐦 Explore the diverse birdlife with expert guides
🦝 Visit the unique CARACAL Biodiversity Center

You've been here?

Why travel to Chobe National Park?

Chobe offers an unparalleled safari experience. It's home to one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa, making close encounters with these majestic creatures almost a guarantee. Beyond elephants, the park boasts diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffalo and a rich birdlife, especially along the riverfront. However, be prepared for crowds, especially during peak seasons, as its accessibility attracts many visitors.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Kasane
2 Mwandi View
3 Parakarungu

🎡Places for activities

1 Sedudu Valley Drive
2 Ngoma Gate
3 Serondela
4 Savuti Channel
5 Kasane Hot Springs

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Chobe River
2 Zambezi
3 Savuti Marsh
4 Sedudu
5 Victoria Falls Road

🎈Events

Kasane International Jazz Festival
Chobe Agricultural Show
Botswana Independence Day Celebrations
Kazungula Canoe Marathon
Chobe Game Count
Mokoro Racing Festival
Domboshaba Cultural Festival
Maun Festival
Kuru Dance Festival
Toyota 1000 Desert Race

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Do both river cruise and game drive for wildlife.
Bring binoculars and a long lens; elephants and predators gather along the Chobe River.
Travel with a licensed guide, follow park rules and never leave your vehicle unattended.
Stay inside the park near Ihaha or Savuti for quieter mornings and better chances at rare sightings.

How to travel to Chobe National Park

Most visitors fly into Kasane Airport, which connects to major African cities. Alternatively, Chobe is a short drive from Victoria Falls, making cross-border trips feasible.

Access summary

From Kasane Airport (BBK): Lodge or hotel transfer, usually 10–30 minutes.
From Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia): Road transfer via border, around 1.5–2 hours.
From Maun: Domestic flight or long drive to Kasane, roughly 1–7 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Chobe National Park

Accommodations range from luxury lodges to budget-friendly campsites, primarily around Kasane. Options like Chobe Game Lodge offer river views, while Ihaha Campsite provides a rustic bush experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Chobe Marina Lodge

9.2

Chobe House Villa and Chalets

Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa

7.5

Tlou Safari Lodge

8.9

Bush Adventure Guest House

8.0

Amariah Guesthouse Plateau

8.8

Rosewood Safari Cottages

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Chobe National Park

Exploring Chobe is typically done via guided game drives and boat safaris. The park's terrain varies, so 4x4 vehicles are essential. Kasane serves as the main hub, offering accommodations and tour operators.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-58 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-13 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BWP) is 13% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Livingstone, Zambia - 171 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£49	£107	£292
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£29	£72	£198
🍝 Food per day	£17	£30	£77
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£18

Notable additional fees: BWP 120 (£6.53) per non-citizen adult per day, plus a vehicle fee. Botswana also charges a US$30 (£22.53) tourism development levy on arrival in the country.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.20
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£14
🤧 Cold medication	£5.50
💇 Basic haircut	£4.70

Safety information overview

General safety

Chobe is generally safe for tourists. However, always stay in designated areas, be cautious of wildlife and avoid walking alone at night.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Kasane are basic. For serious conditions, evacuation to larger cities may be necessary. Visitors should have comprehensive travel insurance.

Accessibility

Major areas like Kasane are accessible, but within the park, rough terrains require 4x4 vehicles. Some lodges cater to mobility-impaired guests; it's best to inquire in advance.

Tap water

Tap water in urban areas is generally safe, but in remote locations, it's advisable to drink bottled or purified water. Carry a reusable bottle to stay hydrated.