Chobe National Park and the living Chobe River near Kasane
Published on 08/21/2026 at 14:54 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Along the Chobe River near Kasane, Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is a place where water, woodland and savanna meet in a single, far?reaching landscape. Established as Botswana’s first national park in the late 1960s, it stretches across thousands of square kilometres in the country’s north and forms part of the cross?border Kavango–Zambezi conservation region.
A river that shapes an entire park
Chobe National Park takes its name from the Chobe River, which forms the park’s northern boundary and flows past the town of Kasane before joining the Zambezi on its way towards Victoria Falls.The Chobe River forms the northern boundary This ribbon of water is constant in the park’s geography, edging floodplains where mudflats, reedbeds and open grass attract wildlife that depends on permanent surface water.
From the riverfront near Kasane, the protected area runs south into drier interior country, taking in grasslands around Savuti, mopane scrub and woodland, and the more open pans of Nogatsaa and Tchinga.The park includes Savuti grasslands and mopane woodland Elevations through the park lie around 900 to 1,000 m (2,950 to 3,280 ft), giving gentle relief to the terrain rather than steep peaks or ravines.Elevations in Chobe National Park are about 900–1,000 m
From game reserve to Botswana’s first national park
Protected status in the Chobe region dates back to the early twentieth century, when a smaller area was set aside as a game reserve.The original reserve was proclaimed in 1957 In the years after Botswana’s independence, the reserve was upgraded, and by 1967 the Chobe area had been formally recognised as a national park, making it the country’s first such designation.Chobe became a national park in 1967
Across successive extensions completed in the 1980s, the park reached a size of about 10,566 km² (4,080 sq mi), placing it among Botswana’s larger protected areas.The park covers about 10,566 km² It borders forest reserves to the north and south and touches the Linyanti Swamp as well as river floodplains along the Chobe between Ngoma Gate and Kasane, tying terrestrial habitat to extensive wetlands.Chobe National Park borders forest reserves and floodplains
Kasane, riverfront safaris and far?ranging wildlife
Kasane sits at the north?eastern boundary of Chobe National Park and has grown into the main gateway for travellers coming to the riverfront and adjoining woodland.Kasane lies at the north?eastern boundary of the park Road links connect Kasane with other regional centres, including Victoria Falls and Livingstone, and the town’s airport provides direct access for visitors arriving from further afield.Kasane Airport connects with Chobe National Park
Boat excursions along the Chobe River and vehicle safaris along the riverfront tracks offer views across sandbanks, channels and open grazing areas, where herds of elephants and Cape buffalo come to drink and bathe, and hippopotamus, crocodiles and antelope use the water’s edge as feeding ground.The Chobe Riverfront is known for large elephant and buffalo herds Further inside the park, areas such as Savuti and Linyanti are characterised by more open plains, patches of woodland and seasonal channels, supporting different assemblages of wildlife across the year.Savuti and Linyanti form distinct areas within the park
Visiting Chobe National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Chobe National Park lies in northern Botswana, with the Chobe River marking its northern edge and Kasane providing the most commonly used road and air access point.
- Most riverfront excursions and game drives depart from Kasane, and access into the park’s interior involves travel on unpaved tracks where deep sand and wildlife crossings demand careful driving.
- The terrain near the riverfront is generally flat but can include sandy embankments and uneven ground at embarkation points, while inland areas combine low ridges, grassland and stretches of mopane woodland.
- The official language is English and the currency is the Botswana pula.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Chobe National Park on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Chobe National Park
Where is Chobe National Park located?
Chobe National Park is in northern Botswana, with Kasane at its north?eastern boundary and the Chobe River marking much of its northern edge.
What should visitors expect on a first visit?
Visitors encounter a broad landscape of floodplain, river channels, grassland and woodland, together with boat and vehicle excursions focused on viewing wildlife along the Chobe Riverfront and inland areas.
What makes Chobe National Park distinctive among southern African parks?
The park combines a major perennial river, extensive floodplains and varied interior habitats, and was recognised in 1967 as Botswana’s first national park, giving it a central role in the country’s conservation history.
