Page 52 - Discover Botswana 25th Edition - 2025

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CHOBE & SAVUTE
Nestled in the heart of northwest
Botswana lies a photographer’s
paradise: Chobe National Park.
Spanning an impressive 11,700
square kms, this park boasts one of
the highest concentrations of wildlife
on the African continent and is well known as Botswana’s
most diverse natural reserve.
As a woman photographer deeply connected to the
wilderness, Chobe holds a special allure for me. It is home
to a staggering 50,000 elephants! These majestic creatures
seen against the backdrop of the park’s diverse landscapes
are truly awe-inspiring and constitute a significant
portion of Botswana’s overall elephant population,
making Chobe a critical sanctuary for these iconic
giants. The park’s elephants are not just a sight to behold;
they are integral to its ecosystem, shaping vegetation
through their feeding habits and playing a vital role in the
ecological balance of the region.
At the heart of Chobe lies the Chobe-Linyanti River
System, encompassing the Linyanti River to the north
and eastern reaches of Chobe National Park. This
dynamic system of waterways and floodplains supports
a rich diversity of wildlife, from large herds of buffalo
and elephants to prides of lions and elusive leopards. The
juxtaposition of water and savannah creates a tapestry of
habitats that photographers like myself find irresistible.
Chobe National Park itself is divided into four distinct
ecosystems. The Serondela area, known as the Chobe
riverfront, which is lush with plains and the occasional
teak tree. This region, in the extreme northeast, is a prime
spot for observing elephant and buffalo as they gather at
the river during the dry season. The Savuti Marsh on
the other hand, a relic of an ancient lake, is fed by the
erratic Savuti channel. This area is testament to the ever-
changing dynamics of nature, drying up during lean
rainfall years and flooding during abundant ones. It’s a
unique landscape where wildlife adapts to the extremes
of water availability. For bird enthusiasts, Chobe National
Park is a haven with over 500 species recorded. The best
time to witness the majority of these avian wonders is
during the wet season, when migrant species join the
resident birds in a cacophony of colours and calls. As a
photographer, this season offers a myriad of opportunities
to capture them in flight, or perched against the vibrant
green backdrop of the park’s transformation.
Previous pages: A lone zebra stands proud against a classic Chobe sunset. This river of life supports a myriad of species in
healthy numbers. Each year, the river’s floodwaters arrive from Angola and drains out via the Zambezi.
Aboves:Birdlife along the river abounds, and in the green season from December through to March, migratory birds arrive to
nest and breed. A Woodland kingfisher, an intra African migrant, spends our summer months and their shrill call signals the
arrival of the first rains.
Facing page: Chobe’s biggest attraction must be the large numbers of elephants to be found here. Herds of elephants arrive
each day during the dry season to slake their thirst and mud and dust bathe. And it is not uncommon to get close up to all the
youngsters.