Chobe National Park: Chobe Riverfront

An introduction to Chobe National Park and the wildlife and lodges of the Chobe riverfront.

Chobe National Park is in the north of Botswana and encompasses 11 700 square kilometres of pristine wilderness. The park contains a variety of habitats: the grassy woodland of Nogatsaa and Tchinga; the Savuti or Mababa Depression, in the southwest of the park; the Linyanti - and the popular 15 km of riverbank east of Kasane, which many people think is Chobe.

The optimal time for visiting the riverfront region is during the dry season, from June to October, when the river's perennial waters and fertile flood plains draw animals north from the dry interior. The area is famed for its huge concentration (35,000) of elephants, which gather by the river in their hundreds in the dry season. There are enormous herds of buffalo; and tsessebe, roan and sable antelope, eland, the endangered red lechwe, the rare puku, giraffe and kudu. These animals attract predators and large lion prides are a common sight. Birding is excellent.

The riverfront area of Chobe is a short road journey from Victoria Falls and is an ideal safari destination to combine with the Falls. You can explore the riverfront on one of our mobile camping safaris or on one of our fly-in safaris.

Overlooking the river, Muchenje's 10 comfortable chalets with en suite facilities are just outside the park in Chobe Forest Reserve. The lodge provides 4WD safaris in the park, guided walks and boat cruises on the Chobe River. Its location enables it to offer night drives in the forest reserve.

Chobe Chilwero is set on a hill near the park gate. The lodge has eight luxurious thatched bungalows and fantastic views of the river. Activities include game drives and excellent private motorboat trips.

Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge
Crest Mowana Safari Lodge

On the Namibian side of the river, Impalila Island Lodge is situated at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, where 4 countries meet. Eight luxurious chalets provide uninterrupted river views and privacy. The central facilities - swimming pool, bar, shop, library, lounge and dining area - are built under the canopy of an ancient baobab. Activities include game viewing in the Chobe Game Park, exceptional flyfishing and traditional fishing for tiger or bream, outstanding birding, mokoro trips, walks and sandbank picnics in the waterways surrounding the lodge.
Price: US$260 per person per night sharing, including all meals and activities.

Ichingo