Chobe National Park
Travelers come to Chobe for large elephant herds that gather along the Chobe River, plus boat trips and game drives from the riverfront.
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Chobe National Park is in northern Botswana, and most visitors base themselves in Kasane, the town at its edge. The Chobe River forms the park's northern boundary, with Namibia on the far bank. Chobe has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, and the riverfront is where herds drink and bathe. Inland, the Savuti area is more remote, with open grassland, a seasonal channel and fewer vehicles.
The riverfront suits first-time safari travelers, families and anyone who wants wildlife within a short drive of town. The dry season, roughly June to October, is the best time to see animals at the water. The rainy season, from November to March, brings green scenery and fewer visitors, though some inland tracks become hard to drive. Plan at least two nights to fit a boat cruise and a game drive, and more if you want to go inland.
Chobe National Park in five
- Book Kasane lodges before you flyLodges and boat cruises on the Chobe Riverfront fill up in the dry season, when animals gather at the water. Reserve your bed and cruise before you book flights.Where to stay
- Carry pula for tips and small shopsTips for guides, drivers and lodge staff are paid in pula (BWP), and small shops in Kasane want cash. Keep a card for lodge and tour bookings.Money and costs
- Walk only with a licensed guideWalking in the park is only allowed with a licensed guide, and on game drives you stay in the vehicle. Elephants on the riverfront can come close to boats and cars, so keep your distance.
- Set up an eSIM before you reach KasanePhone signal is patchy outside Kasane and drops away inside the park. Load an eSIM or buy a local SIM before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
- Get insurance that covers evacuationSerious medical care is far from the park, so a long road or air transfer can be costly. Check that your policy covers medical evacuation from Chobe.Travel insurance
Things to do in Chobe National Park
See all attractions in Chobe National ParkNeed to know
- Currency
- Pula (BWP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check before you fly
- Emergency
- Ask your lodge or guide for the local emergency numbers
- Tipping
- Customary for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryGreen, birdlife
- FebruaryHeavy rain
- MarchRains, flooding
- AprilRains ease
- MayDry season starts
- JuneAnimals at river
- JulyPeak dry season
- AugustWildlife at river
- SeptemberDry, busy
- OctoberHot, dusty
- NovemberHeat, storms
- DecemberRains return
Right now in Chobe National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 24%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Chobe National Park
11:13 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today37°20°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 37°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue37°23°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 37°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed38°22°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu38°25°10%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 38°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Fri39°25°4%Friday: Clear. High 39°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat37°25°26%Saturday: Drizzle. High 37°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sun36°23°57%Sunday: Drizzle. High 36°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
Updated 11:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 13.84 BWP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Chobe National Park
Rules for Chobe National Park, checked
- Walking in the park requires a licensed guide, and on game drives and boat cruises you must stay in the vehicle or boat.
- Park entry fees are paid at the gate; check current rates with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks before you travel.
- Check Botswana's rules on bringing in meat, dairy and plant products before you cross the border.
Plan around Chobe National Park
Entry rules, money and the wider Botswana trip
Read the guideWhere to stayKasane lodges, camps and the riverfront
Read the guideGetting aroundReaching Kasane and moving between lodges and gates
Read the guideTours and ticketsBoat cruises and guided game drives
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport
Read the guideMoney and costsPula, cards and tipping money
Read the guideChobe National Park FAQ
When is the best time to visit Chobe?
June to October is the dry season, when animals gather along the Chobe River. The rainy season from November to March is green and good for birds, but some tracks become hard or impossible to drive.
How many days do I need in Chobe?
Two nights covers a riverfront boat cruise and a game drive. Add nights if you want Savuti, which is reached by a long track and needs a 4x4.
Do I need to stay in Kasane?
No, but Kasane is the usual base for the Chobe Riverfront, and most visitors stay there or close by. Lodges inside the park are fewer and book up early.
Why are there so many elephants in Chobe?
In the dry season, elephants gather along the Chobe River, where water and food are close together. The riverfront is the easiest place to see them in large numbers.
Can I combine Chobe with Victoria Falls?
Yes, Kasane is often paired with Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. Check the border crossing and visa rules for both countries before you book.