Best Safari in Botswana: A Day in Chobe National Park

Esther Mehesz
Jun 29, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Jul 15

When planning the best safari in Botswana, few places come close to the magic of Chobe National Park. Located in northern Botswana, near the borders of Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers some of the most abundant wildlife sightings in southern Africa. During our trip, we had the unforgettable experience of exploring Chobe on a full-day adventure — a memory that will stay with me forever.

How did this trip even come together? Through a friend, we were connected with Bright — a local guide in Livingstone who plans trips for tourists and organizes incredible experiences. Bright is full of energy and made sure every detail of our time in Zambia was taken care of. He listened to what we wanted to see and do, and put together the perfect itinerary - might go as far as saying the best trip planner. Thanks to him, we were able to spend a truly unforgettable day exploring Chobe National Park.

Crossing into Botswana: An Adventure Begins

Our journey started early, with a sunrise pickup from our hotel, the Radisson Blu in Livingstone, Zambia — just a short drive from the breathtaking Victoria Falls. After a quick ride, we reached the border crossing into Botswana. But before crossing the border, the car had to stop, and passengers from the car (including the driver) had to get out and disinfect their shoes in a little box before being able to continue over to Botswana. Just something interesting that I had yet to experience while crossing borders. Nonetheless, the "immigration" at the border was a simple, single building — we literally started on one side of the building and "left Zambia" and walked over to the other side of the building and got our passports stamped to "enter Botswana". It was as simple as that, and we found ourselves in a whole new country, ready for our Botswana safari.

Tip! Do your homework beforehand if you need to pay for a visa (even if it's just for a day) based on your passport.

Once we crossed over, waiting for us was our open-air safari jeep, which would take us deep into Chobe National Park, one of Botswana’s best game-viewing regions and arguably the best place for an accessible, wildlife-rich safari.

A Day on Safari: From Open-Air Jeeps to River Adventures in Chobe National Park

Our day exploring Chobe National Park started bright and early, riding through the sandy plains in an open-air safari jeep. In the cool morning light, the wildlife drives began quietly — the animals were still, and the bush felt almost sleepy. At first, I was a little worried and had some thoughts of "where are these animals...".

But slowly, as the day warmed up, Chobe started to come alive. First, we spotted impalas, which are medium-sized antelopes, and soon enough we started seeing baboons of all sizes (including little babies) and a lion resting in the shade. We were advised to be as quiet as possible in front of the lion - even the point that the guide turned off the jeep too. Moving on from that, we saw giraffes moving elegantly through the open grasslands, then herds of elephants appearing near the water sources along the Chobe River.

Then the excitement really picked up when the safari guides, using their walkie-talkies, coordinated to help each other track down the harder-to-spot predators and giving us viewers a good chance of seeing them. Not only did we see one single lion earlier, but now we saw 5 lions all lying and sleeping in the shade. Finding this many lions together felt like a real adventure — we had to sit absolutely still and silent as we watched a pride resting in the shade. It was my first time on a safari, but I honestly could have been there for days trying to spot all these animals through the bushes and the open land. It truly felt like the most peaceful place, being out in the open and not having a care about anything else in the world.

After a full morning of game viewing on land, we broke for lunch before switching gears — and vehicles. The second half of our adventure took us onto a safari boat cruising down the Chobe River, offering a completely different perspective on the park’s abundant wildlife. Floating quietly along the riverbanks, we found ourselves face-to-face with massive elephants bathing and swimming. At one point, an elephant got a little too close for comfort, giving us that heart-racing moment where you realize just how powerful — and unpredictable — the natural world can be. Now that elephant was a little too upset with us getting close and made sure we heard and saw their anger.

But on the other hand, one of the most incredible sights was watching two young elephants flipping and swimming in the river, playing like children. Moments like that, experienced from the water with no fences or barriers, made it one of the most unforgettable days of my life. Being able to capture that video was unreal, and honestly, I watch it back so often because it always brings a smile to my face.

The combination of land game drives and river safaris truly showed why Chobe is considered one of the best places for a Botswana safari, offering a great variety of activities and some of the strongest wildlife viewing in all of southern Africa.

Why Chobe Is the Best Safari in Botswana

While places like the Moremi Game Reserve, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park offer incredible safari experiences too, Chobe stands out for several reasons:

Abundant wildlife year-round
Strong wildlife viewing without needing long journeys
Easy day trips from nearby hubs like Victoria Falls and Livingstone
Access to both land game drives and river safaris along the Chobe River
Incredible sightings of migratory birds, like the stunning lilac-breasted rollers

The best time to visit Chobe is typically during the dry season (May to October), when animals congregate around remaining water sources, offering unparalleled game viewing opportunities. However, the green season (November to March) brings lush landscapes, baby animals, and incredible birdwatching — perfect for a different type of safari.

Botswana Safari: A Truly Special Adventure

Exploring Chobe National Park gave us a much deeper appreciation for sustainable tourism and how important it is to protect the natural beauty of the African continent. Throughout the day, our guide emphasized that every game drive, every park entry, and every traveler who chooses to visit places like Chobe responsibly helps support the bigger picture: conservation efforts, wildlife protection, and the well-being of local communities who live alongside these incredible ecosystems.

In Botswana, the focus is very much on quality over quantity when it comes to tourism. Unlike some destinations where mass tourism puts pressure on these environments, Botswana has been intentional about limiting visitor numbers to ensure that safaris and wildlife drives remain low-impact. National parks and private reserves like Chobe reinvest funds from tourism into anti-poaching programs, land conservation, and education initiatives that benefit the local people and protect the diverse wildlife that makes this region so special.

Even the way safaris are run — using private guides, sticking to established routes, and respecting the animals' space — is all part of a larger effort to keep Botswana’s wild spaces truly wild. As a visitor, it made every moment feel even more meaningful, knowing that just by choosing experiences that prioritize sustainability, you're contributing to something much bigger than your own trip.

While we personally only visited Chobe during this journey, it became clear how much more Botswana has to offer for those who want to dive even deeper and spend more days there. Areas like the Okavango Delta, the Gomoti River system, and other incredible regions showcase the country's commitment to preserving nature through thoughtful, intentional tourism. Whether it’s planning a future trip to experience these remote wilderness areas or simply soaking up the beauty of Chobe, it's easy to see why Botswana stands out as one of the most special safari destinations in all of southern Africa — not just for what you see, but for the way it's protected.

Final Thoughts: Is Chobe Worth It?

Without a doubt — yes. Whether you're coming from Cape Town or just adding a side trip from Victoria Falls, a day in Chobe offers excellent value, fabulous camps if you want to stay longer, or even a full day experience really giving you a great variety of activities.

It’s a good idea to go with a reputable company offering private tours or mobile safaris if you want a customized experience. Regardless of the time of year or departure date, the chance to witness strong wildlife viewing in one of the natural world’s most spectacular settings is something you simply shouldn't miss.

For anyone dreaming of a truly unforgettable safari, Chobe National Park is hands down a great safari in Botswana — and honestly, contained such unique experiences in just one day.

An honest note - this was my first time on a safari, however, my mom had been to Kenya 20 years ago and was on a safari in Maasai Mara, and her opinion is that the safari in Maasai Mara even 20 years ago was better because of the greater variety of animals they saw at that time. Like everything, there will always be options that are better than others, and it really depends on the location that you are in. Keeping it real and honest, but if you are in Zambia and looking for a safari nearby, then Chobe is a great option still!

Thanks for joining in on my Chobe National Park adventure, and time for another adventure!