The Chobe National Park in the North Botswana is the second largest national park in the country and is known for its abundant wildlife (especially elephants).
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background
The Chobe is a right tributary of the Zambezi. It rises in Angola and flows as Cuando (or Kwando) to the Kalahari, after which it bears the name Linyanti. From the Namibian city Ngoma to the point where it flows into the Zambezi it is then called Chobe.
The Chobe National Park was founded in 1967, expanded several times and today has a size of around 11,000 km², which corresponds to about half the area of the German state of Hesse. The river Chobe forms the northern border of the park and at the same time the national border with Namibia. The park comprises four different eco systems:
- the Serondela area in the north, named after the former Serondela settlement in the north of the park. It is the bank zone of the Chobe River, which flows into the Zambezi just a few kilometers downstream. When the water level is high, the Zambezi regularly backs up in the lower reaches of the Chobe, which then turns the island between Namibia and Botswana into an uninhabited island Sedudu flooded. In this region there is a lush vegetation with dense forests. Numerous hippos live here, there are a large number of different water birds, but this is also a malaria area.
- the area of Savuti March in the west, the alluvial land extends from that in the south Mababe Gate about 50 km to the north. Here you can find accommodation options in Savuti Camp Site, in the South Lodge and in Elephant Camp
- the Linyanti swamps in the northwest of the park. This region is not very well developed for tourism and is therefore still quite original.
- hot and dry Bushland with numerous depressions and salt pans that are dry outside of the rainy season.
getting there
- Of Kasane The park is easily accessible from the Sedudu Gate in the northeast of the park.
From the south from Maun via Mabele Gate (approx. 2 hours from Maun, mostly Dustroad), continue to Savuti via a sand track (approx. 3 hours)
mobility
There are no tarred roads through Chobe National Park. The paths are only passable with four-wheel drive vehicles, in the sandy soil there are often very deep lanes, near the banks of the Chobe and Savuti they can often be flooded and impassable during the rainy season. A well-developed paved road leads from Kasane to the Namibian border (approx 90 km.) If you visit the northern part of the Chobe - the Chobe Water Front, you always have the opportunity to break off the excursion and drive back to Kasane on a good road.
Tourist Attractions
The park is best known for its large herds of elephants, their total population is estimated at over 120,000 animals. Impalas and buffalo are also very numerous. Mainly hippos and water birds live on the water of the Chobe, apart from that, with a few exceptions, all large herbivorous animal species such as wildebeest, zebras and giraffes are present,
activities
First and foremost, a visit to Chobe National Park is about wildlife viewing. There are four of the so-called Big Five in large numbers: elephants, buffalo, lions and cheetahs, rhinos are almost non-existent. However, they are not evenly distributed over the ecologically but very differently structured park, which is why the rangers usually ask which animal species one would like to see. This is easiest with elephants, baboons and impalas, it is almost impossible to drive through the park without seeing these animals. Even water birds and hippos cannot be overlooked in the banks of the Chobe River. This is best observed on a boat trip.
Are popular too Sunset cruises on the Chobe with a cloudless evening sky.
Some basic information about the animal species is in the topic article African flora and fauna
accommodation
The Chobe Game Lodge lies within the national park in the Serondela area. It can only be reached by four-wheel drive vehicles. There are good and also luxurious accommodations in Kasane.
security
- During game drives (Game drives) A vehicle must never be left through the park. Many animals see the vehicle plus its occupants as a unit that does not fit into their prey scheme. An individual, on the other hand, can be attacked.
- Animals must never be fed. If they are not given food on another visit, they may become aggressive, attack people and then have to be shot.
- Remember: the area is half the size of Hessen. And there are no cell towers anywhere. You can find no cell phone network (except in peripheral areas), not even to call for help.
health
The Chobe National Park is located in an area where malaria can be expected all year round. Appropriate precautions are essential, especially in the rainy season (November - March).
Practical advice
Self-drivers need 4x4 vehicles because of the deep sandy slopes. The Low Gear 4x4 is often necessary here. Plan enough time and take enough fuel with you. B. can be done in 8 hours for experienced drivers, 12 hours for inexperienced drivers. Gates are open from sunrise to sunset. (approx. 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.) The Shell map with information on road conditions and time requirements as well as the tourist maps available in the shops with GPS data, images for animal identification and opening times of the gates are highly recommended.
trips
The lodges at Chobe National Park offer day trips to the Victoria Falls and ins Okavango Delta The Chobe Water Front - the northernmost part of the park is one of the most beautiful and wild areas in Africa during the dry season. Numerous game drives take place here.
literature
Web links
- http://chobenationalpark.co.za/ - Official website of Chobe National Park
