Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is one of the very top safari destinations in Africa thanks to its incredible concentration and diversity of large wildlife. In fact, it’s believed to have the highest density of elephants anywhere in the world. The park is also popular as you can go on a boat safari on the Chobe River, helping you to spot more, and different, wildlife.

If it isn’t already on your safari wish list, here are five reasons why you should visit Chobe National Park on a budget safari or tour.

1. A rich range of wildlife

A leopard, one of the Big Five

The best reason to go on a Chobe National Park safari is, of course, its abundant and diverse wildlife. Chobe’s different habitats – river, floodplain, wetlands, woodlands, savannah, bush and grasslands – support an astonishing array and concentration of animals.

For starters, Chobe is home to four of the Big Five – it has bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, leopards and lions, but just no rhinos. It also has many other exciting large animals like giraffes, zebras, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, hippos, Nile crocodiles and warthogs. There are many antelopes to look for too, like kudus, elands, sable antelopes, roan antelopes, impalas, bushbuck, waterbuck, red lechwes and small pukus.

2. Elephants, elephants and more elephants

Chobe has the world’s biggest concentration of African bush elephants, making it the best place on the planet to see these gentle giants. Estimates vary as to how many elephants are in the park, with figures ranging from 50,000 to 120,000. But never mind the exact number – it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll have some great elephant sightings on a visit to Chobe National Park!

The best months for seeing elephants in Chobe are August to October, as the landscape is very dry and they congregate around Chobe River, moving between the river and the woodlands daily. What’s more, elephant herds usually range from 20 to 300 individuals, but at this time they can be seen in groupings that can swell above 500! It’s magical to watch these sociable creatures drinking, spurting water and covering themselves in mud.

3. Boat safaris

Boat safaris are one of the main attractions in Chobe

You can enjoy traditional game drives in Chobe, just as you would in any other safari destination in Africa, but the park has the added allure of offering boat-based game viewing along the Chobe River.

Looking for wildlife from the water offers a fresh perspective of the park, and you can draw much closer to certain animals than is possible in a car. Some of the animals visitors often spot on boat safaris are Nile Crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, sable antelopes, waterbuck and giraffes. Many waterbirds would also be hard to see from the land. African jacanas are just one species regularly sighted on the river – they’re called ‘lily hoppers’ for the way they skip across the surface on lily pads.

Speaking of birds …

4. A birder’s paradise

An African fish eagle 

Chobe National Park is renowned for its birdlife – more than 450 species of birds have been recorded in the park! So if you’re a birder, this is the park for you. Rare, near-endemics that you can hope to spot are Bradfield’s hornbills, Arnot’s chats, southern pied babblers, Hartlaub’s babblers and Kurrichane thrushes.

Yet even those who don’t normally pay much attention to birds will be excited when certain species cross their path. For instance, around the river, visitors regularly see many large birds like ostriches, kori bustards, martial and African fish eagles, white-backed vultures, saddle-billed and marabou storks, and goliath and squacco herons. Some of the smaller species that are regularly spotted and are dazzling in their colours are malachite kingfishers, lilac-breasted rollers and carmine bee-eaters.

Many of Chobe’s bird species are migratory, and the summer months of December to early March are the best time of year for spotting these winged visitors.

5. Easy to combine with Victoria Falls

Rainbows are common at Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, Africa’s biggest and most famous waterfall, is a must-see that’s only about a half-day’s drive from Chobe National Park. For those wanting a budget safari, it’s great to have two bucket-list destinations be relatively close like this.

Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls never fails to stun visitors with its size and drama. In fact, it’s possibly the world’s biggest waterfall overall when you consider both height and width. Local Tonga people call the waterfall Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means ‘the smoke that thunders’, referring to the roar and towering mist created by the falls when flowing strongly. In fact, between February and May the mist can rise over 400 m (1,300 ft) and be visible from over 30 km (20 miles) away. If you want to see the curtain clearly, visit in June or early July, as the water level is still high then, but the mist is lighter.

Chobe National Park is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. From its abundant wildlife to its proximity to Victoria Falls, it’s a top choice for travellers looking to explore Africa’s wild and beautiful parts.

Inspired to travel to Chobe? Here’s our guide on how to do a budget safari in Chobe National Park.

Our top Chobe National Park budget safaris

Editor’s note: This post, originally published in 2024, has been updated to reflect the latest information.