Chobe National Park: elephants, river cruises and Kasane

The riverfront

The Chobe Riverfront, the park's northern strip near Kasane, is the most visited part and for good reason. In the dry months, from about May to October, the inland waterholes dry up and elephants, buffalo, giraffe, sable and lions come to the river. Afternoons are spectacular: families of elephants walk down to drink, play and swim across to the Namibian floodplain.

On the water

A **river cruise** is the essential Chobe experience. Large boats run sunset trips with a bar on board; smaller boats with swivel seats suit photographers who want to get low and close. You will see hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, African fish eagles and, most memorably, elephants swimming with only their trunks above water. Book a morning drive and an afternoon cruise to see both sides of the park.

Savuti and Linyanti

South of the riverfront, **Savuti** is wilder and more remote, known for lions, hyenas and the Savuti Channel, which flows and dries in cycles over decades. Further west, the private **Linyanti** concessions are excellent for wild dogs and big elephant herds, with very few other vehicles. These areas are reached by light aircraft or a long, sandy drive, so they suit travellers with more time or budget.

Kasane, the base

Kasane is a small town spread along the river, with lodges, campsites, supermarkets, banks and the airport. Riverside lodges range from big resorts to simple campsites, and many run their own boats and game drives. The giant baobab once used as a prison cell is a fun roadside stop. Stock up on cash in town, since card machines in the bush can be unreliable.

Victoria Falls next door

Kasane sits near Kazungula, where Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia almost meet. The Kazungula Bridge crosses into Zambia, and the road to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is about an hour away. Day trips are easy to arrange through lodges. Check visa rules for Zimbabwe or Zambia for your passport before you go, as they are separate from Botswana's.

Game drives and rules

The park has opening and closing times for gates, and self-drivers must leave the riverfront by sunset unless camping at an official site. Stay in your vehicle, keep a respectful distance from elephants, especially mothers with calves, and never block their path to the water. Guided drives from Kasane avoid all the stress and come with expert spotting.

When to go

May to October brings the biggest herds and the most predictable sightings. November to April is green and lush, with migratory birds and fewer people, but animals spread away from the river. The heat in October can be intense, so take afternoons slowly.

A sample three days

Arrive in Kasane by air or road and settle into a riverside lodge. Take a sunset cruise on the first afternoon to get your bearings. On day two, join an early morning game drive along the riverfront, when lions and leopards are most active, then rest through the midday heat and take a photographic boat in the afternoon. On day three, either head to Victoria Falls for the day or drive deeper toward Ngoma and the western floodplains, where you will see far fewer vehicles. Keep evenings simple: most lodges serve dinner early, and the night sounds of hippos and lions are entertainment enough.