Chobe National Park is situated in the far northeast of Botswana, bordered to the north by the mighty Chobe River. It is the second-largest national park in Botswana and features four distinct ecosystems: the Savuti Channel in the west; the Linyanti Swamps in the northwest; the arid hinterland in between and Serondela in the extreme northeast with fertile plains and thick forests. This diversity of habitats provides a sanctuary to an astonishing array of African wildlife, most notably the impressive, shifting migratory population of more than 50 000 elephants. Visitors are also likely to spot lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, impala, waterbuck, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, and warthog. The park is also famous for its wonderful riverboat safaris, making Chobe an essential destination for any avid safari enthusiast.
Among the great game reserves of the world, Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest concentrations of elephant on the African continent. Surrounded by wildlife management areas and reserves that allow game to roam freely, the 11 700km² (4 500 square mile) reserve is located in the far north of Botswana, bordering on the Chobe River. Chobe is particularly well known for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as the two antelope that cannot be encountered anywhere else in Botswana, the puku and Chobe bushbuck.
In addition to the vast floodplains that occur along the river, Chobe offers tracks of dry savannah. Dense teak woodland provides thick cover in the north-eastern parts of the reserve. Watching the elephant families drink and bathe in the river is an unforgettable sight, all the more impressive when herds of buffalo, rafts of hippo and gigantic Nile crocodiles are part of the scene. Lion and spotted hyena are frequently seen on the floodplains, where red lechwe, puku, zebra, sable and roan come out to graze.
Well-used animal trails meander between five ensuite safari tents at andBeyond Chobe Under Canvas, positioned at exclusive campsites in the northern reaches of the park, within driving distance of the Chobe River. Booked on a nightly basis, each canvas tent boasts a comfortable double bed, as well as an ensuite bathroom with flush w.c and steaming hot bucket shower, with water delivered on request. The guest areas comprise spacious tents for dining, pre-dinner drinks or simply whiling away the time between game drives with a good book and frosted beer or glass of wine. Delicious meals cooked over the coals are shared around a blazing fire.
