In previous blogs we have talked about our wonderful holidays in Botswana, in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Central Kalahari, as well as up in the Savuti area. In all these places the wildlife has been abundant and we’ve had the privilege of viewing it in relatively remote and isolated conditions with few other people around us at the time.
The Chobe River area is also well worth a visit as it probably has the greatest variety of wildlife in Botswana – the only downside being that it is easily accessible so one has to share this piece of paradise with lots of other tourists. Nevertheless, it remains one of our favourite spots and we’ll venture back there at every opportunity.
There are some great camping spots along the Chobe and our choice of a site at the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane was ideal. Nestled privately amongst the trees, with the water lapping a couple of meters away (and the protection of a fence to keep intruding crocs and hippos at bay), our campsite was well positioned to give us excellent views of the animals coming down to the river to drink.
The highlight of any visit though has to be a sundown boat cruise on the Chobe as the birdlife on the banks and islands is superb.
If you’re not into bird spotting, you will be just as enthralled at the vast numbers of animals that congregate on the riverfront towards the end of the day – elephants, buffalo, kudu – the list is endless. Top all this off with an ice cold beer and an amazing sunset and you’ll wonder why you don’t spend every holiday here.
We also enjoyed our stay at the Kubu Lodge campsite which gave us the chance to do a self-drive into the Chobe National Park. The Lodge offers game drives into the Park, but we preferred going on our own as it enabled us to stop and photograph at our leisure. Kubu (Kubu means hippo) Lodge has enormous grounds to walk around in and we had little buck peeping at us through the trees. We were warned to be on the lookout for a stray buffalo that had come ashore from the river – fortunately we didn’t encounter it while we were out birding.
If you’re planning a visit, don’t limit your time in the Chobe area as there is so much to see and do. If birds and animals don’t interest you, then try your hand at tiger fishing – it’s guaranteed to give you a thrill when you land one of these amazing fish. All in all a very special part of Botswana and a photographer’s delight.
Botswana is undoubtedly a gem in southern Africa. Its all about getting more closer to nature and their wildlife. There are numerous safari options and going on a few of them is absolutely imperative. Its a perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts.