Chobe park - Botswana

Fish Eagle with its catch for the day

After a big breakfast at our overpriced luxurious accommodation we set off for our day trip into Chobe National Park. I really should not be complaining about the price of the accommodations. It is after all high season and having a proper bed and being clean feels great after roughing it in Khwai.

Time seem to slow down in Chobe.

Chobe is a huge park and we barely made it halfway west through the top part of the park. All you have to do is get off the main road and drive along the bank of the Chobe river to see more animals in one morning than what you might otherwise ever see together.  The highlight was the elephant. We saw the largest herd of elephants I have seen, ever, estimated at between 60 and 80 elephant. They just kept on coming out of the bush toward the Chobe river to drink, and we could only watch in amazement. We were also blessed to see the rare Sabel antelope come out for a drink, and a number of Fish Eagles, to name but a few.

The rare Sabel with it's amazing horns.

Boats take tourist right up to the banks of the
 Chobe river for a close up view of the animals.

At three in the afternoon we took a boat ride with a number of other tourist on the Chobe river. On the positive side, within three hours you see elephant, buffalo (more than 100 grazing together), giraffe and hippos, not to mention a large variety of birds that live on or around the river banks. On the negative side, the river can get a little crowded with all the boats taking tourists on their respective tours. And since you are with 15+ other tourists, you have to go with the flow and do not have the luxury to take your time with photos to set up the right angle for that perfect photo. Having said that, it was a very relaxing afternoon and it is a great way to see so many animals at such close range.

Sunset over the Chobe river.
The best way to finish an amazing day.