Chobe National Park | Botswana Game
Reserves: The Chobe National Park, which is the second largest national park in
Botswana and covers 10,566 km², has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on
the African continent. Its uniqueness in the abundance of wildlife and the true African
nature of the region, offers a safari experience of a lifetime.
Chobe National Park - Botswana: The Chobe Park
is divided into four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and
dense forests in the Chobe River area in the extreme north-east; the Savuti Marsh in the
west about fifty kilometres north of Mababe gate; the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west
and the hot dry hinterland in between.
A major feature of Chobe National Park is its elephant population. The Chobe elephant
comprise part of what is probably the largest surviving continuous elephant population.
This population covers most of northern Botswana plus northwestern Zimbabwe. The
Botswana's elephant population is currently estimated at around 120,000. This elephant
population has built up steadily from a few thousand since the early 1900s and has escaped
the massive illegal offtake that has decimated other populations in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Chobe elephant are migratory, making seasonal movements of up to 200 kilometres from
the Chobe and Linyanti rivers, where they concentrate in the dry season, to the pans in
the southeast of the park, to which they disperse in the rains. The elephants, in this
area have the distinction of being the largest in body size of all living elephants though
the ivory is brittle and you will not see many huge tuskers among these rangy monsters.
Public camping grounds are situated within Chobe at Ihaha, Savuti and Linyanti with toilet
and shower facilities available. Each of these camping grounds has its own unique
character and a visit to each is recommended - however, it is once again stressed that a
four-wheel drive vehicle is essential. Visitors travelling through the park should
remember that this is essentially a wilderness area and, as such, no services are
available between Kasane and Maun. Because of this, it is wise to carry basic safety items
such as water, food, fuel, torches, extra wheels, tools, jacks and pumps. In all public
camping grounds booking for campsites is essential.
Often described as one of, if not the best, wildlife-viewing area in Africa today, Savuti
boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife left on the African continent.
Animals are present during all seasons, and at certain times of the year their numbers can
be staggering. If you allow yourself adequate time here (a minimum of three to four days
is recommended) you will probably see nearly all the major species: giraffe, elephant,
zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck, warthog, eland
and accompanying predators including lion, hyaena, jackal, bat-eared fox and possibly even
cheetah and wild dog. |
