CHOBE NATIONAL PARK 🌿
🌿 Home to the largest concentration of African elephant in the world, Chobe is a destination not to be missed. 🌿
🌿 The original adventurers of this land were the San bushmen (or Basarwa people in Botswana). These nomadic hunter-gatherers roamed freely, chasing the rhythm of nature, from juicy fruits to refreshing waterholes and wild game. Today, their ancient stories still echo through stunning San paintings hidden in the rocky hills of the park.
🕰️ Fast forward to the early 1900s…
This wild wonderland was classified as crown land. But the visionaries of 1931 saw more than just land – they saw a sanctuary! They dreamt of a national park to protect the breathtaking wildlife and invite explorers from around the world. By 1932, a massive 24,000 km² was declared a non-hunting zone, which grew to an impressive 31,600 km² just two years later.
🌿 And the adventure continues…
🌿 Chobe Game Reserve was officially born in 1960, though it started smaller than dreamt. By 1967, it leveled up to National Park status! But back then, the region buzzed with industrial activity, especially at Serondela, where the timber industry was booming. It took a while to clear out the settlements, but by 1975, nature reclaimed its throne. Fun fact: If you wander through Serondela today, you might still spot some ghostly traces of the old timber days.
🌊 Where Wildlife Meets the Water…
The mighty Chobe River, hugging the park’s Northeast border, is the ultimate hangout spot, especially during the dry season (May to October). 🐘 Giant elephant herds, giraffes, sable, and mighty cape buffalo all gather here for a drink. And here’s the twist – the flood plains are the ONLY spot in Botswana where you can catch a glimpse of the elusive puku antelope! 🦌
🌅 Chobe – Where History and Wildlife Collide!
🦜 Chobe isn’t just about big game – it’s a bird lover’s dream! 🌿 In season, you’ll spot vibrant carmine bee-eaters painting the skies. And when the area floods, it’s a bird fiesta! Spoonbills, ibises, storks, ducks, and all kinds of waterfowl flock in droves. It’s a feathered spectacle you don’t want to miss!
🌊 Mysteries of the Savuti Marsh…
Sprawling over 10,878 km², the Savuti Marsh sits on the park’s wild west side, about 50 km north of Mababe Gate. 🌍 Once a giant inland lake, it was cut off by ancient tectonic shifts. Now, it depends on the moody Savuti Channel, which has a mind of its own – drying up for decades and then mysteriously flowing again! 🤔 The magic happened once more in January 2010, with water reaching the marsh for the first time since 1982.
🌿 Savuti – Where Nature Keeps You Guessing!
🌿 Tucked away in the Northwest corner of Chobe, just north of Savuti, lies the stunning Linyanti Marsh, snuggled right next to the Linyanti River. 🌊 This wild paradise rubs shoulders with Selinda Reserve to the west, while Namibia’s Mamili National Park watches from across the Kwando River.
🔥 Hidden Gems in the Hinterland…
Between Linyanti and Savuti Marshes stretches a hot, dry hinterland draped in Nogatsaa grass woodlands. 🌾 This secretive stretch is off the beaten path, making it a prime spot for some epic wildlife encounters! 🐾 If you’re looking to explore the lesser-known side of Chobe, this is where the adventure gets real! 💚
