‘Tracking the Big Five’ Tour – Chobe National Park, Botswana is a captivating destination for wildlife viewing. Embark on a timeless safari that meets the Chobe basin, the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. This exciting experience will take you through kilometers, and kilometers of trees, dunes, swamps, and unique wild animals.
Things to Do
Your trip begins in Chobe, there you will get to know your wonderful itinerary. The safari starts from very early, so make sure to be ready before dawn. This is due to the animals being out at this time, enjoying the cool daybreak. By midday, you will return to the camp, eat a little and take a nap to replenish yourself. For that reason, you will be prepared for the rest of your adventurous day.
In the afternoon it is time to head out again. First of all, you must be careful because at this time the leopards and other nocturnal species start to come out. As a result, this makes this part of the trip the most exciting one! Therefore it is very likely that you will see a leopard in a tree. This is due to the point of observation and shelter to protect themselves from scavengers.
Lions
Lions are abundant in Botswana. You will be able to see them but not in action, as most likely they’ll be resting. This is due to African lions like to sleep up to about 20 hours a day. What is most noteworthy is that you may spot them in the trees, So be careful to avoid interrupting their beloved rest.
Rhinos
The rhinos are mostly solitary, previously the black rhinoceros became extinct because they were heavily hunted for their horn since it has medicinal properties. However, after a while, they returned to the game like the buffalos. Around them, you have to be extremely careful and keep your distance. These animals are considered the most dangerous in the region since it is said that they have killed more hunters than any other species in Botswana.
Elephants
Once you arrive at the Chobe River, you will find yourself surrounded by an endless amount of elephants. Do not panic, they barely take notice of you. This is due to their focus on eating, while baby elephants hide between the legs of their mothers. Even if elephants are mostly calm, they can be aggressive under threat. Hence given their enormous size and strength, it is better to leave them alone.
In the evening, prepare for a hearty dinner after a long day of exploring, followed by a few stories around a campfire. Get warm and share a wonderful time with the friends you make during this safari, before calling it a day and going to sleep with high hopes for the next day.
Hippos & Crocodiles
Follow your path to the southwest, in Okavango, where you will explore the Delta by canoe and you will come face to face with hippos, crocodiles and different rare swamp species, such as the lechwe antelope.
To the southwest, you find the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where you will visit one of the Kalahari pans, and discover rare creatures roaming the dry lake beds after sunset.
How to get there
Botswana is located in central Africa, between South Africa and Zimbabwe. To get to Chobe National Park, it is best to use one of the three airlines: Air Botswana, South African Airways If you travel from Europe, it is best to travel to Johannesburg in South Africa and then to Livingstone Airport. Once there most tour operators will meet at Livingstone or Victoria Falls.
When to Go
May to October (winter and spring in the Southern Hemisphere) is the best time to view the big five in this region. The temperatures are cooler, the vegetation is sparser, and the wildlife is concentrated closer to the water.
How Long
Trips can range from 10 hours to 11 Days. This all depends on what you want to do. May tour providers do safari’s game drives, tours, excursions or boat cruises.
Opening and Closing Hours
Most tour agencies which do trips to Chobe national park can vary from hours to a couple of weeks. However, depending on your tour agency the starting dates during the week will vary.
Planning
Licensed tour operators organize ground transportation in 4×4 vehicles, boat travel, lodges and/or tented accommodation, all meals, and English-speaking guides.
Book well ahead to secure a place as allocated spaces are allowed on each trip. Above all, follow the guidelines on clothing and personal safety.
Inside Information
The Victoria Falis on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia are only a short distance away from the start of the tour. If possible, try to combine your big five trips with a visit to them.
In addition, these are some additional things to be aware of:
- What to bring – Comfortable and casual clothes for hot and cold weather. Do not forget sun protection.
- Communications – You will have no signal for most of your trip. For that reason, If you have any urgent calls to make please make sure these are done beforehand.
History
The “Big Five” refers to five well-known members of African wildlife: lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephants. They carry this name not because they are the only five species of African wildlife. Rather they became the five most difficult species to hunt. In spite of the time, the name still persists. For that reason, they are no longer hunted with weapons but with cameras. As a result, people now look at them with awe and admiration.
Websites
- www.botswana-tourismgov.bw
- www.ecoafrica.com
- https://chobenationalpark.co.za/tour/
Other Nearby Attractions
Take a cruise that takes you along the Chobe River. It will only take you 3 hours to navigate the Chobe National Park. As a result, you get to see the spectacular sunset at the end of the day. You will see herds of elephants approaching the banks of the river to take their last drink of the day. In addition, flocks of buffalo, hippos, and giraffes descending upon the river.
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