Travel to Botswana For An Unforgettable African River Cruise on the Chobe

Photo by Clive Kim

If you’re looking for an unforgettable safari experience, a river cruise on the Chobe River in Botswana should be at the top of your list. The Chobe River is part of the Chobe National Park, which is famous for being home to the largest elephant population in Africa. In fact, if you’re lucky, you could see hundreds of elephants at one time during your cruise.

Stretching over 4500 square miles of rich landscapes, the Chobe National Park takes its name from the renowned Chobe River which flows along the park’s northeast border. It is both Botswana’s largest park and holds the honor of becoming the country’s first national park in 1967. Along with visiting the breathtaking Victoria Falls nearby, legendary explorer David Livingstone visited the region in the 1850s. Millions of safari-goers have followed his lead ever since, making it one of the most visited areas in all of Africa.

To help you plan your ultimate Botswana safari adventure, we’ve put together this guide to exploring the Chobe River on a river cruise, including when to go, what to expect, and what animals you can expect to see.

Best Time to Travel to Botswana for a River Cruise

The best time to take a river cruise on the Chobe River is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During this time, the water level is lower, which makes it easier to spot wildlife as they come to the river to drink. Additionally, the temperature is cooler, making it more comfortable for game-viewing activities.

Activities on a River Cruise

During your river cruise on the Chobe River, you can expect to participate in a variety of activities. Here are some of the main activities that you can expect to do:

1. Game Drives – You will be able to take game drives into the Chobe National Park, which is known for its lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, and crocodiles.

2. Bird Watching – The Chobe River is home to over 450 species of birds. Some of the bird species that you can expect to see include the African fish eagle, the malachite kingfisher, the African skimmer, the African spoonbill, the African open-billed stork, and more.

3. Fishing – Fishing activities are available on the river cruise. You will be able to catch fish such as tigerfish, bream, and catfish.

4. Village Tours – In the evenings, you will be able to take guided tours of the local villages, where you can learn about the culture and heritage of the local people.

5. Photography – Chobe national park is known for its wildlife, making it the perfect environment for photographers. You will have opportunities to capture amazing photos of the animals, landscapes, and sunsets.

Expect to Encounter Wildlife

The Chobe national park is home to a wide variety of animal species. The following are some of the animals you can expect to see while you’re on your river cruise:

1. Elephants – The Chobe National Park is home to the largest population of elephants in Africa. During the dry season, it’s common to see hundreds of elephants drinking and bathing in the river.

2. Hippos – The Chobe River has a high density of hippos, and it’s common to see them alongside the banks of the river or in the water.

3. Crocodiles – The Chobe River is home to many crocodiles, which can be seen basking on the riverbanks.

4. Lions – The park is also home to lions. Though it is difficult to spot them, the park has a high concentration of lions, which makes sightings possible.

5. Buffalos – You can also expect to see buffalos on your river cruise. These animals are known for their large herds, which can be exciting to witness.

Spot a pride of lions and leopards grazing or a pack of hyenas in their den. Find zebras lunching on their diet of grass and twigs — or perhaps an entire herd of buffalo roaming. You may even catch a glimpse of the elusive cheetah, the fastest land animal in the world. Cape buffalo, sable, warthogs, kudus, lechwes, wild dogs, jackals, gnus, roan antelopes, bat-eared fox, and waterbucks are among the hundreds of other animals roaming the national park. It is also one of the only areas one can find puku antelopes in their natural habitat.

Birdlife is abundant too, with close to 500 different species including the fish eagle, marabou stork, carmine bee-eater, helmeted guineafowl, grey lourie, great egret, African openbill, and the jacana.

A river cruise on the Chobe River in Botswana is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With so much wildlife to see and a variety of activities to participate in, it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular destination for safari lovers. The Chobe riverfront attracts and extraordinary density of game, especially during the dry season – from May to October – when water inland is scarce and migratory animals move towards to river.

So, pack your bags and embark on a river cruise on the Chobe River for an unforgettable safari adventure.

Africa River Cruise & Safari Itineraries

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