Chobe River
Cruise down the magnificent Chobe River in search of incredible birds, bathing elephants and grunting hippos. And who knows what else lurks along its banks. Photographing from the river is a very different and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
What to expect…
Spending time along the Chobe river is a must for all elephant, hippo and bird lovers. It’s an absolute paradise for these - the number of kingfishers you can photograph as they sparkle and dazzle in the reeds, diving into the water to catch fish and chasing one another around is special. Malachite kingfishers, often very difficult to get close to in other reserves are relatively relaxed here. During winter, skimmers come to nest along exposed banks, and can be photographed ‘skimming’ along the water at dusk. White-fronted bee-eaters nest in the banks in raucous colonies full of activity.
The warm midday periods draws herds of elephants and solitary bulls down to the water, where they can be seen feeding in the lush grasses or moving between Namibia and Botswana across the river. The babies’ playful antics both at the water’s edge and in the water itself provide hours of entertainment. It’s a very different photographic experience - so much life and vibrancy happens along the river, and with water-based activities you already have a low-level view for photography, and can approach birds and mammals quietly and unobtrusively. I fill my memory cards many times over on the river, with birds in flight, birds fishing, or preening. Elephants at sunset, hippo chomping away and yawning, a cacophony of sounds. We do twice daily activities, with an option to visit the Chobe National Park by vehicle too if we choose to. It’s not uncommon for lions to come down to the waters edge after finishing their kills, or to hunt and when they do you have an eye-level view of them slaking their thirst.
When to Visit
The dry season, from May to October in the Chobe is the best time to see most wildlife. Animals congregate around the river and limited water sources. Temperatures are cooler and in the mornings and evenings extra layers are definitely needed when cursing on the Chobe River (particularly through the middle of winter months of June, July and August). Close encounters with elephants in the water (often at sunset) are common, and pied kingfishers frolic and nest along the river banks. African skimmers also make the river their home during this time as the water levels fall. November usually marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rains with brief, but often heavy, showers. Daytime temperatures are high but evening rains provide some relief. From December through February marks the main rainy season which replenishes the landscape. Water levels rise and wildlife disperses due to the plentiful water. March is often the end of the main rainy season though rainy days do occur. From April, temperatures begin to drop and the rains have mostly stopped. Along the Chobe River, wildlife begins to congregate and herds of elephants and buffalos increasingly make the waterfront their prime evening drinking areas.
JAN
Mixed
FEB
Mixed
MAR
Mixed
APRIL
Good
MAY
Good
JUN
Good
JUL
Very Good
AUG
Excellent
SEPT
Excellent
OCT
Excellent
NOV
Very Good
DEC
Good
