Chobe National Park Campsite Rates

(Effective 2025 – Subject to change)

(Rates include a 12% government tax. Park entry fees are paid separately.)

Chobe River Front Campsite, Ihaha Campsite & Savuti Campsite

• Designated campsites only - wild camping is not permitted.
• Unfenced campsites - wildlife may roam through at any time.
• Advance booking required - no entry without a valid campsite reservation.
• Park fees payable separately - cash or card accepted at Botswana Wildlife offices.
• Check-out time - All campers must exit the park by 11:00 AM on their departure day.
• Strict noise control - keep noise levels to a minimum at all times.
• No off-road driving - stick to designated tracks only.

These rates include

• Regular camp cleaning and litter removal.
• Clean ablution blocks with showers and flushing toilets.
• BBQ (braai) facilities available at each site.
• Maximum of three vehicles per site.
• Anti-bacterial soap and toilet paper provided in shared facilities.
• Daily rubbish collection service.

The following are not allowed.

🚫 No generators (to maintain a peaceful environment).

🚫 No loud music or excessive noise.

🚫 No sharing of campsites - only booked guests may stay at a site.

🚫 No feeding of wildlife - it is dangerous and strictly forbidden.

🚫 No movement between locations at night - for safety reasons.

Park Entry Fees

(Rates are subject to change – Entry fees are per person, per day)

(All visitors must retain their entry receipts while inside the park.)

All vehicles must remain on designated roads – No off-road driving allowed.

✅ Park fees are payable at entry gates (cash or card accepted at major gates).

✅ Botswana citizens must present valid ID for citizen rates.

✅ SADC citizens must provide proof of residency (e.g., passport, permit).

✅ International visitors are classified as non-residents of Botswana and SADC.

✅ Re-entry is not permitted - a new entry fee is required for each day.

✅ Gate hours: April-Sept: 06:00-18:30 | Oct-March: 05:30-19:00.

By Air

The nearest airport to Chobe National Park is Kasane International Airport (BBK), located just outside the park. Several international and regional airlines operate flights to and from Botswana’s major cities.

• Charter flights are available from Maun, Okavango Delta, and Victoria Falls for those staying in luxury lodges.
• Flights to Victoria Falls Airport are also available
• Light aircraft transfers operate between Botswana’s parks, with a 15kg luggage restriction (soft bags recommended).

For Flight Reservations:

• Air Botswana: www.airbotswana.co.bw | Tel: +267 395-1921
• South African Airways: www.flysaa.com | Tel: +267 390-2210
• Air Namibia: www.airnamibia.com | Tel (SA): +27 11-978-5055

By Road

Botswana is accessible by road from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. Vehicles drive on the left-hand side, and an international driver’s licence is required for foreign travellers.

• From Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: ~80 km (1 hour) via Kazungula Border Post
• From Livingstone, Zambia: ~70 km (1 hour) via Kazungula Bridge
• From Namibia (Caprivi Strip): ~2 hours via Ngoma Border Post
• From Maun (Okavango Delta): ~600 km (8-10 hours) via Nata

4x4 recommended for national parks and remote areas.
Border requirements: Vehicle registration, insurance, and customs documents are mandatory for self-drivers.

By Bus

Regular inter-city and cross-border bus services operate between Botswana and neighbouring countries:

• Botswana–South Africa: Daily buses between Gaborone and Johannesburg.
• Botswana–Namibia: Scheduled services from Gaborone to Windhoek.
• Botswana–Zimbabwe/Zambia: Minibuses run between Kasane and Victoria Falls/Livingstone.

Public buses do not enter Chobe National Park, so additional transport is needed from Kasane.

Getting Around in Towns

Taxis are widely available and affordable in towns like Kasane and Maun.
Kasane Airport Transfers: Most lodges and hotels provide shuttle services.
Private car rentals are available in major cities for self-drive travellers.

When to Visit Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is a year-round destination, offering different wildlife experiences in each season. The Zebra Migration, stunning sunsets, diverse landscapes, and rich waterways make every visit unique. Below is a breakdown of the best times to visit based on weather, wildlife movements, and visitor preferences.

Best Wildlife Sightings

📅 August to October (Late Dry Season)

• The best time for game viewing, as animals congregate near the Chobe River and other water sources.
• Lions, giraffes, buffalo, and elephants are particularly visible, especially in Linyanti and Savuti.
• Expect to see hippos, impalas, baboons, blue wildebeest, kudus, warthogs, vervet monkeys, and more.

Best for Bird Watching

📅 December to March (Rainy Season)

• Over 450 bird species can be found in the park, with migratory birds arriving from Europe and Asia.
• The lush, green scenery enhances birdwatching opportunities.
• Best spots: The Chobe River floodplains, Savuti Marsh, and Linyanti Wetlands.

Peak Tourist Season (High Season)

📅 July to October

• Most popular time for visitors.
• Dry conditions make wildlife easier to spot, especially near the Chobe River.
• Fewer mosquitoes in July and August, making it a more comfortable experience.
• Lodges and campsites fill up quickly, so advanced booking is essential.

Quietest Time (Low Season)

📅 December to March

• Lush landscapes, making it a photographer's paradise.
• Fewer tourists, meaning discounted rates on lodges and camps.
• Best time to witness the Zebra Migration from Namibia to the Makgadikgadi Pans (November to March).
• Some roads in Savuti and Linyanti may be muddy or inaccessible due to rainfall.

Shoulder Season (Balanced Experience)

📅 April to June & November

• A great time to visit before peak season crowds arrive.
• Cooler temperatures and good wildlife sightings.
• Some lodges lower their rates, making it a budget-friendly alternative.
• Excellent chances to spot elephants, hippos, leopards, cheetahs, red lechwe, blue wildebeest, kudu, warthogs, and vervet monkeys.

Weather Guide - What to Expect

Dry Season (April to October)

• April & May: Lush greenery begins to fade as the park dries up. Daytime temperatures: 29°C.
• June, July & August: Cooler mornings (8°C) and comfortable afternoons (27°C).
• September & October: Hottest months before the rains begin, with temperatures up to 35°C.

Rainy Season (November to March)

• November to February: Hot and humid, with afternoon rain showers.
  • Mornings: ~19°C | Afternoons: ~33°C.
  • January & February: Highest rainfall (mainly in the afternoons).
• March: Rain starts decreasing, mornings cool down to 17°C.

Best Weather (Comfortable Conditions)

📅 May to August

• Mild daytime temperatures (~28°C), and cold nights (~6°C).
• Less humidity and fewer insects, making it an ideal time for travel.

For further advice, you can contact us and ask our experts.

General Botswana and Chobe National Park Information

Language

The official language in Botswana is English. All guides and general staff in the camps, lodges and hotel have a good command of English.

Electrical Supply

Electricity is at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are in use.

Currency

Botswana Pula (BWP). "Pula" means rain or raindrops.

Firearms & Ammunition

The issue of firearms licenses in Botswana is strict. All firearms imported under the authority of an import permit must be licensed immediately upon arrival in Botswana

Police permits for weapons are issued by:
Central Arms, The Registry
P O Box 334, Gaborone.
Tel: +267 391-4202, +267 391-4106

Diamond Purchase

You can purchase diamonds in Botswana from a jeweller or authorised dealer. A strict certification system is in place to inform the buyer of the origin of the diamond, and the stated value and quality are verified.

Gratuity Guide

It is at the discretion of the individual.

Driving

Botswana vehicles are right-hand drives, and driving is on the left-hand side of the road. We don't recommend night driving as many animals and wildlife are along the streets.

Emergency Numbers

Entry and movement inside Chobe National Park Information

Botswana National Parks and Game Reserves

(1) No person shall enter or be within a national park or game reserve unless he has a valid entry permit.

(2) A person entering a national park or game reserve shall pay such fee as is specified in the First Schedule.

(3) An entry permit, or any other permit that may be issued in respect of a national park or game reserve, shall be issued subject to the conditions contained in these Regulations and other requirements as may be endorsed therein in writing by the Director or the Officer-in-Charge.

(4) Except where authorised by the Officer-in-Charge, no person shall enter or leave a national park or game reserve other than through a point of entry or exit, declared by the Director by notice in the Gazette and identified as such through a message or a sign.

(5) No person under 18 years of age shall enter a national park or game reserve unless accompanied by a person of 18 or older.

(6) When entering a national park or game reserve, you must produce proof of identity, age or residential status: professional guides License or tourism enterprise License.

(7) A person entering a national park or game reserve shall register the required details in the register provided at the designated entry point.

(8) In the interests of maintaining densities of visitors within the carrying capacities or some other ground specified in the management plan, the Director or the Officer-in-Charge may restrict entry to a national park or game reserve to persons holding valid reservations for established lodges, campsites or other facilities or may limit the number of persons without such reservations entering a national park or game reserve.

(9) A national park or game reserve is open to the public throughout the year.

(10) No person shall enter a national park or game reserve or move outside a designated lodge, campsite or observation hide or overnight camp in a designated walking area within the national park or game reserve between the sunset and sunrise hours set out in the Fourth Schedule except where-

(a) An employee of the Government acts in the execution of his official duties and has a valid authorisation in writing from the Officer-in-Charge of the national park or game reserve;

(b) a person is participating in an approved night game viewing drive in the company of a professional guide licensed to conduct such night game viewing drives in an area designated in the management plan as a night driving area and returns to the selected lodge, campsite or observation hide by 22 hours evening time; or

(c) A person holds a valid authorisation in writing from the Officer-in-Charge in charge of the national park or game reserve; or

(d) A person holds a filming permit or research permit endorsed for filming or research activities during such hours.

(11) No person shall deposit litter within a national park or game reserve except in a litter bin. Otherwise, you will transport your waste out of the park.

(12) In this regulation, "observation hide" means any facility designated as an observation hide in the management plan under regulation 6.5.

Fees payable

(1) The payment of fees listed under the First Schedule shall not apply to the following-

(a) Persons to whom the Director Copyright Government of Botswana has issued a waiver or a free entry permit upon application;

(b) persons in the employment of the Government, who with the written permission of the Officer-in-Charge, enter or reside in a national park or game reserve in the execution of their official duties;

(c) Persons in transit through a national park or game reserve on a designated route;

(d) members of communities living adjacent to the national park or game reserve identified as such in writing by the appropriate traditional authority, where the issue of a free permit has been authorised in writing by the Officer-in-Charge;

(e) Duly authorised visits of groups of students and others engaged in field trips;

(f) Employees of tour operators, researchers and their assistants, where the issue of a free permit has been authorised in writing by the Officer-in-Charge;

(g) Husbands, wives and children of that resident in a national park or game reserve.

(2) An organised group associated.

(a) Botswana-based educational institutions visiting the national parks or game reserves for educational purposes shall pay 50% of the entry fees listed for citizens; or

(b) Non-Botswana-based educational institutions visiting the national parks or game reserves for educational purposes shall pay 50% of the entry fees listed for residents.

(3) The Director or the Officer-in-Charge may waive or reduce any of the fees listed in the First Schedule for a person or an organised group if deemed appropriate for education, promotion, research and in the interest of wildlife, wildlife conservation, the DWNP or the nation. (

4) In calculating any fees payable for a national park or game reserve, each day's entry or residence or use of a facility shall be counted as one day,, irrespective of whether such entry or residence or use is only for part of the day.

(5) A person shall only use a facility that permits overnight stays in a national park or game reserve after he has obtained a valid reservation voucher for such a facility from a designated reservation office

(6) Any fees payable for the use of facilities permitting overnight stays shall be paid in full within 30 days of a reservation being made at a designated reservation office, failing which the reservation shall lapse.

(7) There shall be no refund of any of the fees paid by sub-regulation

(6) Irrespective of whether the reservation is not or only partially used.

(8) Any fees payable for overnight stays shall include any sales tax that the appropriate legislation may levy. Copyright Government of Botswana

(9) In this regulation, "researcher" means a person or persons possessing a valid research permit from the Office of the President and permitted to research a national park or game reserve by the Director.

(10) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this regulation shall be guilty of an offence.

Chobe National Park entry gates

Opening and closing times

April – September

Opening time 06:00 - Closing time 18:30

October – March

Opening time 05:30 - Closing time 19:00

Border Posts

Border Posts Information

• You will require a Valid Passport with at least six months.
• The Original registration papers of the vehicle.
• You will require a Valid Drivers License.
• A Letter of authorisation from the owner of the vehicle.
• Finance Letter of Authorisation to take the vehicle across the border.
• You will need Insurance documents for the vehicle.
• Please declare goods if necessary.
• You will need Unabridged Birth certificates for minors travelling with you.
• Ensure that tire tread complies with the regulations.

Malaria in Chobe

Malaria is the most feared disease in Africa and is still a significant risk for travellers. Infections do occur in Botswana, mainly in the country's northern parts. It is most prevalent in the rainy season between November and May.

• Visit a travel clinic or your local GP for some specific advice on Malaria.
• Travel clinics are usually more updated on the latest trends and medicines.

Other precautions to take while in a malaria area

• Wear long-sleeved clothes in the evenings.
• Take note that mosquitoes are active from the early evenings before the sun sets until sunrise the following day.
• Mosquitoes are more prevalent near a body of water.
• Indeed, bringing mosquito repellent is when travelling to Chobe National Park.
• The lodges have mosquito nets.
• We advise that campers keep their tent's mosquito net closed.

Chobe National Park takes its name from the Chobe River. The Chobe River forms the northern boundary and protects about 11700 square km. Its vegetation varies from lush floodplains to the scorched Savuti marsh. Chobe is a classic big game country where buffalo and elephants attain legendary proportions.

The northern part of Chobe lies next to the Chobe River. This road along the river allows for excellent game viewing in an off-road vehicle. Large raptors nest close to the Chobe river, and water birds are abundant and migrating birds.

Chobe National park includes Savuti in the south of the park. The Savuti region is 5-6 hours south of the Chobe Riverfront. Savuti has one large public campsite close to the Savuti Marsh.