When to visit
The drastic changes in vegetation between the dry months and wet months mean that many animals migrate, the most famous being the zebra migration. The abundance of wildlife make this park an awesome place to visit year-round. The breathtaking sunsets, the many waterways and the variety of landscapes all make Chobe unforgettable.
Best Wildlife Sightings
August to October
You will see more animals during the dry, hot months, especially around the river, as all the wildlife flock to the water. This is the best time to spot lion, giraffe, and buffalo. You can find a large number of elephants in the Linyanti region during these months. Hippo, impala, baboon, blue wildebeest, kudu, warthog, vervet monkey and many other animals can be found year-round.
Best for Bird Watching
December to March
This is the wet season and bird sightings increase as migrants move in. Over 450 bird species have been documented in the park.
High Season
July to October
The park is the most popular with tourists and ample wildlife can be seen around the rivers. There are fewer mosquitoes in July and August.
Low Season
December to March
Many lodges offer lower rates during these months. This is the best time to experience the zebra migration from Namibia to the Makgadikgadi Pans. The migration takes place during the rainy season from November to March. Visitors won't miss spotting some of the 25 000 zebras!
Shoulder Season
April to June and November
Some lodges lower their rates for these months. As mentioned, animals are abundant year-round in the Chobe National Park and visitors are guaranteed to spot elephant, hippo, red lechwe, blue wildebeest, kudu, warthog and vervet monkey. If you're lucky you may spot the elusive leopard and cheetah.
Dry Season
April to October
The weather changes in April and May, becoming dryer, but the vegetation is still lush. It is a maximum of 29°C during the day. During June, July and August it's a bit cooler, ranging from 8°C in the mornings to a maximum of 27°C in the afternoons. During September and October, it continues to get hotter until the rainy season starts. The heat peaks in October with an average of 35°C.
Rainy Season
November to March
From November to February it's around 19°C in the mornings. It's hot and sunny in the afternoons, reaching 33°C before the afternoon rains. In January and February you can expect the most rain, but still only in the afternoons. In March the rain is less frequent and the mornings are around 17°C.
Best Weather
May to August
It's cooler during the day, with a maximum of 28°C and quite cold at night, with temperatures dropping to 6°C.
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 jeweler or authorized dealers. A strict certification system is in place to inform the buyer of the origin of the diamond, and the stated value and quality is verified.
Gratuity Guide
In Botswana, one is not under any obligation to offer gratuity (tips) for services rendered at restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. It is at the discretion of the individual whether or not to pay gratuity for services.
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 there are many animals and wildlife along the streets.
Emergency Numbers
| Ambulance |
997 |
| Police |
999 |
| Fire Brigade |
998 |
| Medical Rescue |
911 |
| Medical Air Rescue |
390-1601 |
| Mascom |
122 |
| Orange |
112 |
| Be Mobile |
1333 |
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 such other conditions as may be endorsed therein in writing by the Director or the Officer-in-Charge.
(4) Except where authorized 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 notice or a sign.
(5) No person, under 18 years of age, shall enter a national park or game reserve unless he is accompanied by a person of 18 years of age or older.
(6) When entering a national park or game reserve, you will require producing 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 and any person is failing to may be prohibited from entering the national park or game reserve.
(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 specified lodges, campsites or other facilities or may restrict 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 authorization 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 designated lodge, campsite or observation hide by 22 hours evening time; or
(c) A person holds a valid authorization 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, within a national park or game reserve, deposit litter in any place except in a litter bin. Otherwise, you will transport your litter out of the park.
(12) In this regulation, “observation hide” means any facility designated as an observation hide in the management plan as provided for 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 a waiver or a free entry permit has been issued by the Director Copyright Government of Botswana 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 authorized 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 with-
(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 organized group if deemed to be appropriate for education, promotion, research and in the interest of wildlife, wildlife conservation, the DWNP or the nation. (
4) In calculating any of the 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 be deemed to include any sales tax that may be levied by the appropriate legislation. Copyright Government of Botswana
(9) In this regulation, “researcher” means a person or persons in possession of 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.
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