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| Botswana: What to see | |||
| Chobe National Park | |||
>see photographs Frederick Courtney Selous wrote after his visit to Chobe, "I never enjoyed any part of my wanderings (in Africa) so much". Best known for The Chobe National Park is a great, untamed wilderness area, with four distinct eco-systems. Most famous for its large populations of elephant and buffalo, with breeding herds of up to 300 animals, Chobe is a must for the African traveller. Location Situated in the north east of Botswana, the Chobe National Park takes its name from the Chobe River, its northern boundary. Chobe's close proximity to Zimbabwe also makes it an ideal base from which to visit the magnificent Victoria Falls. Size The 11 700 square kilometres covered by Chobe National Park, makes it Botswana's third largest wildlife area. Climate Chobe has a long dry winter from May to October. The heaviest rainfall months are from December to February. When to go The cooler months of May to September when visibility for game viewing is better as well. Precautions Preventative and prophylactic measures should be taken for malaria. For campers, wild animals such as hyena and baboons can be very destructive of food not locked away properly – particularly if they can smell the food within. The best measures for food protection are a metal trunk that is padlocked. The Chobe National Park is made up of four distinct areas: TOP Savute Best known for Savute is best known for its high concentration of lion and hyena, and the spectacular, annual zebra migration. Size and location The Savute area covers approximately 5 000 square km near the National ParkÕs western boundary. This area includes the Mababe Depression, the Savute Marsh and Channel, and the Magwikwe Sandridge. Wildlife In addition to the large populations of lion and hyena, Savute is also home to cheetah, leopard and wild dogs. During the dry season there are large concentrations of bull elephants around the pans. On the marsh, herds of tsessebe, wildebeest, impala and giraffe may be seen, as well as warthog and black-backed jackal. kudu, white roan, sable and buffalo tend to inhabit the more wooded areas of Savute. The zebra migration during summer is a spectacular sight. Herds of up to 25 000 animals pass through Savute twice during their migration. Although dependant on the rains, the southward migration takes place sometime during November and December, while the northward journey back to Linyanti is any time from February to April. There are almost 300 bird species to be seen in Savuti, which is generally included in birding safaris as the 'dry-land regionÕ. Environment and vegetation The Savute area is reminiscent of the Tanzanian Serengeti Plains, with wide expanses of open grassland, dotted with islands of bushes and shrubs, and edged with towering Camelthorn trees. Although no higher than 90 metres, the Seven Hills of Savute, collectively known as Gubatsa Hills, dominate this otherwise flat landscape. South of this is the Magwikwe Sandridge that is the remains of a beach dune which once contained the waters of the Makgadikgadi superlake. One of the most peculiar features of Savuti is the dry Channel, which is filled and surrounded by large, dead Camelthorn trees (an eerie indication of the ecological changes that have occurred in this region over the last century). The bluish-green sage bush, also known as the bitter bush, gives Savuti a characteristic pervading smell of sage. Climate Savute is a place of climatic extremes. Early mornings in winter can be bitterly cold whilst afternoons on the same day can be uncomfortably hot. The months before the rains, September to November, are normally extremely hot. Activities 4 x 4 game drives, guided walks, birding. Accommodation A number of very reputable private camps are located in the area, including: Savute Safari Lodge, Duma Tau, King's Pool Camp and Savute Elephant Camp. Several campsites are located in the Park. How to get there By road A 4 hour drive from the northern Park entrance of Chobe National Park on a good gravel road that is passable in 2WD. From Maun the first 100 km is tar but then the road is sandy and deteriorated. Taking your own fuel is a must. A 4WD vehicle is essential on other routes as well. By air Air transfers are regularly made from Maun and vehicles from private camps do the ground transfers. TOP Linyanti Best known for Linyanti is best known for its great diversity and dense concentration of game, a restful atmosphere and spectacular sunsets. Location North of Savuti, in the western corner, Linyanti, is one of the most attractive areas of the Chobe National Park. Wildlife Breeding herd of elephant and zebra are most well known in this area. A wide selection of game is found here, including lion, leopard, hyena, roan antelope, sable, waterbuck, lechwe, sitatunga, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, steenbok, warthog and wild dog. There are fair birding opportunities, particularly along the riverfront. This is one of the few places in the country where the stunning Narina Trogon could occur. Environment and vegetation A mature woodland of acacias, leadwood, marula, mangosteen and ebony trees protect the beautiful river frontage on the Linyanti Swamp (only 7 km). Southwards to Savuti, the woodlands open onto savannah plains. Activities Game drives, guided walks, boating, birding, fishing. Accommodation Linyanti Tented Camp, Zibalianja Camp, King's Pool Camp, Duma Tau, Selinda Camp, Kwando Lebala and Kwando Lagoon Camps, and National Parks campsites. How to get there By road Linyanti is accessible by road from Savuti, Kasane or Moremi Game Reserve. 4WD vehicles are essential. By air Air transfers are regularly made from Maun and vehicles from private camps do the ground transfers. TOP Serondela Best known for A popular destination for the beauty of the riverine landscape and concentration of game along the Chobe River. The huge herds of elephant and buffalo make Serondela one of the prime game areas in Africa. It is also regarded as one of the best birding sites in Botswana. Location Only 15 km from Kasane, Serondela is the northernmost part of Chobe National Park. Wildlife Huge breeding herds of elephant and buffalo winter along the Chobe River. Lion and other predators are attracted by the availability of prey. The shy Chobe bushbuck, lechwe, puku, oribi and Sharpe's grysbok are some of the more unusual animals that can be sighted amongst those which are common to Botswana. Serondela is a birders paradise with an amazing diversity of over 440 species ranging from riverine to dryland birds, including the rare long-toed and white crowned plover, African finfoot, rock pratincole and halfcollared kingfisher. The area is also know for its fishing, particularly the tiger fish. Environment and Vegetation Away from the lush riverine landscape along the Chobe River, the land has suffered from overuse by the high concentration of game. This is particularly obvious during the driest winter months. However, along the river are magnificent Natal and Pod mahogany trees, African star-chestnut, baobabs and black monkey orange, the fruit of which is much sought after by baboon and kudu. Activities Game viewing on land and water, fishing, birding. Accommodation Chobe Chilwero, Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe Valley Lodge and a public campsite. How to get there By road: the Park boundary is right on the edge of Kasane with the entrance 2 km upstream from the town. By air: Kasane International Airport has regular flights on Air Botswana from Johannesburg via Maun, Maun, Gaborone and Victoria Falls. Several private charter companies cover the same routes, and to and from private lodges in the Delta and Chobe. TOP Nogatsaa and Tchinga Best known for A total wilderness experience. Uninhabited and undeveloped, campers must be completely self-sufficient when visiting this area. Location Seventy kilometres south of Serondela, Nogatsaa and Tchinga make up the most undeveloped area of the Chobe. Wildlife Large breeding herds of elephant congregate around the pans in winter and the area offers the best chance of seeing eland. Other species are oribi, sable, roan antelope, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, reedbuck, impala, duiker and steenbok. This was once a good place to see white rhino, however poaching has forced the remaining ones to be relocated to sanctuaries. This area is not noted for prolific birding opportunities although numerous waterbirds visit the Pans soon after the rains. Environment and vegetation This area is a series of clay-bottomed pans, which retain water well into the winter months. Surrounded by a mix of open grassland, mopane forest and mixed deciduous forest, the pans attract a variety of game to the area. Activities Game viewing both by guided walks and game drives, and birding. Accommodation The closest permanent accommodation is at Kasane, and although there are no designated campsites, camping is allowed at Nogatsaa. How to get there By road Accessible by road from both Kasane and Savuti. A four wheel drive vehicle is essential. By air There is an airstrip at Nogatsaa that was built for defence forces anti-poaching activities, however there are no facilities or operators in the area to provide ground transfers. |
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