Chobe National Park & Maun travel guide

Botswana

Botswana's elephant capital, where the Chobe River's tens of thousands of elephants meet Maun's Okavango Delta gateway.

Chobe National Park stretches along the magnificent Chobe River, which forms Botswana's natural border with Namibia, with habitats ranging from floodplains, woodlands and baobab trees to lush flood grasslands and thickets along the river.

Chobe National Park & Maun — TL;DR

Chobe National Park & Maun at a glance

What are the best things to do in Chobe National Park & Maun? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Chobe National Park & Maun trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Chobe National Park & Maun? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Chobe National Park & Maun — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a…
When is the best time to visit Chobe National Park & Maun? August to October (late dry season) for the largest elephant and buffalo herds congregating along the Chobe River.
Where should I stay in Chobe National Park & Maun for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Chobe National Park & Maun? Charter flights connect Maun and Kasane in about an hour, or it\

Chobe National Park & Maun overview

August to October (late dry season) for the largest elephant and buffalo herds congregating along the Chobe River.
Charter flights connect Maun and Kasane in about an hour, or it's a 600km (6-7 hour) drive; within the park, game drives and boating safaris on the Chobe River are the primary ways to explore.
Botswana Pula (P)
English (official) and Setswana.
CAT (UTC+2)
Chobe's status as Botswana's elephant capital continues to be defined by late-dry-season herds along the riverbanks, with combined Okavango-Chobe lodge safari packages growing in popularity for 2026 travelers wanting both delta and river-park wildlife experiences, while luxury houseboats like the Chobe Princesses and Zambezi Queen offer an increasingly popular alternative to traditional riverside lodges.

Where to eat, drink & do in Chobe National Park & Maun

Chobe National Park & Maun neighborhoods

Chobe River corridor Home to tens of thousands of elephants and enormous herds of buffalo, especially during the late dry season.
Maun town The gateway to the Okavango Delta and departure point for charter flights to Kasane.
Kasane district Near Chobe National Park, reachable by charter flight or road from Maun, home to riverside lodges.

Practical info for Chobe National Park & Maun

Getting around in Chobe National Park & Maun? Charter flights connect Maun and Kasane in about an hour, or it's a 600km (6-7 hour) drive; within the park, game drives and boating safaris on the Chobe River are the primary ways to explore.
When to go in Chobe National Park & Maun? August to October (late dry season) for the largest elephant and buffalo herds congregating along the Chobe River.
What's changing now in Chobe National Park & Maun? Chobe's status as Botswana's elephant capital continues to be defined by late-dry-season herds along the riverbanks, with combined Okavango-Chobe lodge safari packages growing in popularity for 2026 travelers wanting both delta and river-pa
Seek out Sacred ibis and river birdlife in Chobe National Park & Maun? Birdwatching from the boating safari perspective, a quieter complement to the park's famous elephant herds.
Base yourself in Chobe River corridor in Chobe National Park & Maun? Home to tens of thousands of elephants and enormous herds of buffalo, especially during the late dry season. Known for massive elephant and buffalo herds.

Frequently asked questions about Chobe National Park & Maun

What are the best things to do in Chobe National Park & Maun? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Chobe National Park & Maun trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Chobe National Park & Maun tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Chobe National Park & Maun? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Chobe National Park & Maun — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Chobe National Park & Maun? August to October (late dry season) for the largest elephant and buffalo herds congregating along the Chobe River.
Where should I stay in Chobe National Park & Maun for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Chobe National Park & Maun? Charter flights connect Maun and Kasane in about an hour, or it\

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