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scotlandmac
Overwhelming game.Safari heaven for first timers
It's not got
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the iconic African landscapes of the Delta or Moremi and it hasn't got that wild bush feel, but it packs such a punch in terms of animals that you can't fail to be impressed. For a first timer, it must be safari heaven. I love lion and on our first morning drive, a male and female sauntered lazily past our vehicle, almost within touching distance;a young male began calling further off then followed the pair up into the shrubbery to find shade.And this is where, like all National Parks, it can be frustrating because the rules mean no off roading, so unlike Sabi Sand or other private concessions, you can't follow them; you can only sit and watch as they disappear out of sight, thrilled at the encounter as ever but wanting more.
We chose Mosu Safari Tours for our 10 day safari trip, an excellent operator who assigned us Custard as our guide/driver and Kilos as our cook, with LT as camp assistant.They made our trip, really first class guys. A testament to their expertise, both Custard and Kilos had been employed by the BBC while they filmed their documentary about the lion pride that had learned to take down elephant.Custard knew everything there was to know about the animals and got us some incredible sightings and Kilos' cooking is well known as the stuff of legend.
One of the most thrilling moments of the whole trip came as we left Chobe by the Kasane Gate; just 100 yards away, resting beside the main road ,we spotted a pack of wild dogs with several puppies, a superb sight.
We took the Sunset Cruise with Thebe River Camp, where we stayed for two nights and fortunately found ourselves with just two other fellow birdwatchers.
I didn't think there was much else to see to be honest after 9 days and 15 or so Game Drives but the view from the river was wonderful.And the birdlife was mesmerising, with malachite kingfishers the highlight.The river bets very busy and there are some big, crowded boats around so it may be worth checking how many fellow passengers there are,depending on what you want out of it.
Being in the boat also gets you closer to the elephants,as they seemed to me much calmer round these than the vehicles.We followed a mother and calf as they swam back to shore, the baby using his trunk like a periscope.A beautiful sight.
Thebe River Camp was first class, with a nice bar area, spotless showers and toilets and well maintained.We enjoyed our stay here very much,especially after the wild sites we'd been in the rest of the trip.No hyenas at night! The camp is well protected by electric fencing so it's very safe.
We did our trip in mid till late September and this time , for me, was just too hot.40C or 104F in the shade.Like being in an oven.Next time - Green Season!
Ross
US
Visited:
July 2015
Reviewed: Dec 7, 2015
Email Ross | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Chobe is the jewel in Botswana's wildlife crown -- just take a trip down the Chobe RIver and you'll see why. There are animals everywhere here, from swimming elephants to lounging leopards. Don't expect to be the only one watching that pride of lions, but if you can eschew the luxury lodges and do some camping out in the wilderness, that's the way to experience Africa. Try to stay two days or more, since every day you'll see something different. And one more thing -- be ready to feel very depressed when it's time to leave.
Michael Jansen
DE
Visited:
November 2013
Reviewed: Dec 12, 2015
Email Michael Jansen | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Beautiful Time in a Beautiful Place
We have not been directly in the Chobe National Park, but we stayed three days at the Savute Safari Lodge in the Savuti area, one of the four distinct areas of the Chobe National Park and situated in the most western part of it.
Beside the amazing view of literally hundreds of elephants we have had the rare opportunity to see other big mammals like lions, leopards, african wild dogs, buffalos, impalas and so many more.
Moreover we also encoutered a lot of birds (mostly birds of prey) and reptiles.
The most amazing and special experience was the hospitality of the people who were host to us in the lodge. They told us a lot about their culture, lifestyle habits and they seemed very curious about the european culture and our lifestyle. Truly an exchange we enjoyed a lot.
We will never forget this unique trip.
Katja
DE
Visited:
November 2015
Reviewed: Dec 15, 2015
Email Katja | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nicola Cappelletti
IT
Visited:
September 2015
Reviewed: Dec 31, 2015
Email Nicola Cappelletti | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Elephants' swimming pool
I stay in CNP in september 2015, during my 16 days tour in Southern Africa with kiboko Adventures.
Chobenationalpark was the very first place where I finally saw wild animals in my life, expecially hippos, my favourite guys. It was an amazing experience, as I was very lucky. In fact during two days and three game drive I saw lions (a family with puppies), Leopard, elephants, hippos, baboons, giraffes, crocs, vultures, marabous and several species of Birds. Our guides allows us to take fantastic pictures, thank you guys! I think the only bad think was the huge Number of vehicles and boats during our game drives. It seemed to stay on a hightway...By the way I came home with Africa in my heart...and I ll come back as soon as possible.
The most concentrated and profuse assortment of wild animals.
ajbechtel
US
Visited:
January 2016
Reviewed: Feb 16, 2016
Email ajbechtel | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing wildlife experience on and off the Chobe River
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visas which are fairly expensive. Not sure of the hotel we ate lunch at but the food was amazing, some of the best food we had while in Africa. The wait staff was excellent. The lunch was included with the tour through Wild Horizon. Our overall experience in Chobe was excellent and I would highly recommend to anyone wanted to see wildlife especially elephants. I would definitely go back if I ever had the chance.
Gary
US
Visited:
April 2016
Reviewed: May 7, 2016
Email Gary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Chobe National Park has much to offer for all.
Our park ranger drivers were very knowledgeable about the wildlife in the park, including birds (though I am not a birder, some members of our group were). While we did not see leopards on our drives, we did encounter the rest of the 'Big 5' more than once. Our drivers were very cooperative in allowing us sufficient time for taking pictures. Botswana is justifiably well known for its elephants, and we did encounter them on numerous occasions. Lions and Cape buffalo were also seen on a few occasions and hippos in large numbers during our river cruises. We did not encounter much in the way of zebras, wildebeests, or rhinos. I imagine this was due to the type of terrain in the park.
Our accommodations at the lodge were very well appointed
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and comfortable. We had a wide variety of meal choices available and could choose to eat either at the lodge itself or at the nearby Chobe Safari Lodge.Weather during our visit could hardly have been better - we had no rain and temperatures during the day were comfortably warm.
We arrived at Chobe Bush Lodge by motor coach, coming from a visit to Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls and earlier from South Africa and left by plane from nearby Kasane, flying to Johannesburg and then back to the United States.
ulrich dresden
DE
Visited:
April 2016
Reviewed: Jun 19, 2016
Email ulrich dresden | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great experience
Before our group came to Chobe National Park we were at two parks in South Africa. We saw more or less all the animals we saw in South Africa and then some more. :-) The guides were very competent, the scenery is great, we saw lots of wild animals, including a leopard and a cobra and of course lots of elephants. The scenery is great, the park is a must. Botswana is definetely worth a visit. We stayed close to the park and also heard a lion at night.
Suzanne
US
Visited:
July 2016
Reviewed: Aug 8, 2016
Email Suzanne | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing array of wildlife up close and personal
The weather for our trip in July was wonderful. The guides were very helpful in giving information about the park and the animals there. There was a plethora of elephants, some of which came right up to the jeep. It is a beautiful area, with amazing animals.