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Chobe National Park Travel Blogs

Background: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

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By Eric and Zoe
September 2nd 2008

closer encounters.

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

close encounter

Chobe was gorgeous - we had a great time on the game drive and got really close to some lionesses. The evening river cruise was spectacular. The river, which splits Namibia and Botswana, divides into two forming an island on which elephant and hippo graze. For quite some time the nationality of the island was under dispute between Botswana and Namibia - this situation was resolved in The Hague which decreed that the deeper channel would be the main river - this meant Botswana owned the island. One of the biggest issues when the two countries were disputing the island [View Full Entry]

By Tim 88888
August 3rd 2008

Chobe National Park - Okavango Delta 04/07/08

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

Sunrise Chobe

Chobe National Park Chobe national park is 11,000 sq kilometres in size and is located in the North where Botswana meets Nimibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The park boasts one of the largest elephant populations (25,000) and so offered a lot of potential for game viewing. We left at 5am in the morning (most starts were 7ish) to get the best opportunity to see some animals and it was absolutetly freezing. The animals, probably being aware of this decided not to play the game and although it was good to see the park the viewing was mainly limited to a herd of [View Full Entry]

By Charlie s Angels
July 5th 2008

Animals on Parade

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

Zebras at Watering Hole
Zebras tended to travel in herds. This is at sunset at watering hole.

Everything but the Lion Trying to pass along the best pictures and as the highlight of our trip was seeing all of the animals. We saw every animal that we had hoped and some we didn't even know existed except the elusive Lion. But if we were not so lazy and had gotten up at 4AM we could have seen the lion at the watering hole in Etosha Namibia. But it was too cold and sleep sounded pretty good at that time. The pictures are just the big animals. There were birds and small animals of all kinds as well. But [View Full Entry]

By jessiegoes
June 28th 2008

The Continuing Story of Border Crossings

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

On the road (again)
and again...and again...

Crossing borders is my favorite - there is nothing like watching the crossroads of 3rd world life, bureacracy, ferries, produce, products, businessmen, truckers and the odd little face of a tourist or two toting backpacks and looking out of place. Some scared, some harrassed looking, and some barely noticing that they aren't in Kansas anymore. There is always ample time to observe these myriad of things as the guantlet of forms and queues are processed and waited on, first on one side, then on the other. Enterprising vendors make use of the bored masses by offering cold cokes and nati [View Full Entry]

By jessiegoes
June 27th 2008

Botswanan Smiles, Trials and Chobe Park

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

Elephant on the Shore

The Botswanan people are some of the most genuinely friendly and helpful people I've met recently. They have glowing smiles, easy laughs and seem to feel quite at home accepting cultural differences. There is also a mild reserved-ness which I think comes from not wanting to be at odds with anyone. Though the current government has made great economic and peacetime strides for the country, and the country itself is considered on its way to success, the population, like a lot of southern africa, is facing disaster. Approximately 40% of Botswanans have HIV, and the vast majority of the [View Full Entry]

By AfricaBound
June 25th 2008

Botswana - Chobe (again)

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

Red Sunset

Our second visit to Chobe National Park in Botswana was much like the first, but with less water in the river and more people on the boats. We probably saw more wildlife on our first visit, but we did see Sable antelope for the first time (although not the best light for photos). [View Full Entry]

By First Circle
June 22nd 2008

Hyena Hijinks

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

My recently-proposed-to fiancee Aleks and I decided that we would take our first big trip together, and we chose one of my dream destinations - Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe. Although the Falls were amazing we decided that with a full week at our disposal, that an overnight safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana would be equally amazing. A daytime boat ride introduced us to the park, where we saw hippos, elephants and all kinds of birds. Later in the day we toured around on land and saw lots of monkeys, giraffes and a chance encounter with a lion. But the [View Full Entry]

By LynneandAndy
May 15th 2008

Chobe

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

Man at work

Disaster strikes! Driving in Africa is a bit different to UK as there are so many more obstacles. We usually work it that we have a driver and a "spotter" so that one of us can look out for the goats, cows, people, donkeys etc that get in the way. There are also quite a fews potholes which you have to avoid. The way that it usually works is when I'm driving Andy tells me I can go faster and when Andy's driving I tell him to go slower! Our trip to Chobe started well. Andy was the driver and me [View Full Entry]

By AfricaBound
April 23rd 2008

Chobe National Park

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

Close up

Since our stay in Zimbabwe was cut short, we drove straight to Botswana and Chobe National Park. We had a full day there of non-stop game viewing. We went for an early morning game drive followed by a boat cruise on the Chobe river and finished with an evening game drive. We saw a large assortment of animals and even saw a leopard crossing the road on the way out (no time for pictures unfortunately). We also discovered that wine is very cheap in Botswana (and the rest of Southern Africa) and now have a favorite evening ritual that consists of [View Full Entry]

By Ever Onward
April 5th 2008

Day 9: A Tale of Three Countries

Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park

King of the ... Scrub
It was still dark when we spotted this magnificent animal - the only lion to be seen on the entire trip.

Early to bed, early to rise. It was 05h15 when the phone rang; it was the front desk reminding me to get up. Why so early? It wasn’t going to take me 45 minutes to have a wash, get dressed and meet in Reception for the 06h00 safari. Oh well, as I had to answer the phone anyway, I got up. It was still dark as I made my way through the cold building to Reception. Both Jill and Brian were there, but there was no sign of Alfred, our guide. As 06h00 approached, so did Alfred. He guided us to [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Botswana » North-West » Chobe National Park