CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
It is one of the largest National parks in Southern Africa and the second largest park in Botswana, fondly referred to as “wildlife paradise.” It is located in the Northern part of Botswana near a small town called Kasane which is nearer to the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. It occupies approximately 11 000 square kilometers of land.
The Chobe National Park is extremely lush because of many waterways. The Chobe river flows through the park and draws many animals and birds during the dry season (May to November). Sightings of hundreds of elephants and others species are sighted along the Chobe river. A boat cruise on the Chobe River is a must on one’s bucket list to witness this beauty. The big predators dominating the park include the Cheetahs, wild dogs, lions, leopards, and hyenas. There are also over 560 recorded bird species noted to be migrating from Europe and North America.
Most people choose the dry season (May to November) as it is the time when many animals will be around and depend on few permanent river sources available. For one to witness this beauty, a booking should be made in advance as many accommodations will be occupied. During the hot months ( August, September and October) there is some sensational game viewing. During the rainy season (December and April) there are few visitors and those who love birds will be thrilled and fulfilled during this time. Most accommodation will have less visitors and therefore it is a child friendly period.
The main entrance of the park is at Sedudu Gate which is closer to Kasane. The other one is the Ngoma gate near Zambia accessible via a 54km public road that leads into the park and it is utilized by both residents of the Chobe enclave and visitors from Namibia. The third gate is the Mababe gate, which connect Moremi game reserve from the South via Savuti.
SAVUTI/ LENYANTI
Savuti is found on the heart of the Chobe National park and it is well known of its largest population of predators like lions and hyenas. Savuti channel which flows from Chobe via Lenayanti river to the Mababe depression, is well known of its mystery of drying up many years ago only to recommence due to the movement of tectonic place. The flow of the channel revivified the area and attracted hundreds of wildlife species. A game drive through the Savuti channel will yield good result. It is one of Botswana’s best destinations due to its dramatic game viewing activities. During the raining season (between January and February) it is the best time to witness the migration of Zebras which are attracted by the grass on the open landscapes of Savuti. This migration entices a lot of predators like lions in which theatrical events and actions will be sighted.
There are various luxurious lodges to choose from in the Savuti area. On the other hand, there is only one campsite in Savuti and only one campsite in Lenyanti and are in most cases fully booked. It is recommended that a client should book six months in advance to avoid disappointment.
