By Faridat Salifu
A visit to Botswana’s Chobe National Park offers travellers the chance to experience wildlife from both land and water, with the Chobe River providing a major attraction in one of the country’s most visited conservation areas, says Botswana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Philda N. Kereng.
Kereng said the park, located in northern Botswana close to the town of Kasane, is renowned for its large elephant population and diverse wildlife, noting that the Chobe River and its surrounding floodplains provide water and food for animals, particularly during the dry season.
She said the park covers a variety of habitats, including riverfront areas, woodland, grasslands and seasonal wetlands, which support elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras and several species of antelope.
According to her, one of the distinctive ways to experience Chobe is by boat. She said river cruises allow visitors to observe elephants gathering along the riverbank, hippos emerging from the water and crocodiles resting near the shore, while also providing opportunities for birdwatching.
“Game drives offer a different perspective, taking visitors deeper into the park in search of wildlife. Early morning and late afternoon excursions are particularly popular because animals are often more active during the cooler parts of the day,” she said.
Beyond wildlife viewing, the High Commissioner who is also a former Minister of Environment said Chobe forms part of Botswana’s wider conservation and tourism economy.
“Revenue generated through tourism helps sustain protected areas while creating economic opportunities for people working in guiding, hospitality, transport and other tourism-related services,” she said.
Kereng noted that the dry months, particularly from May to October, are popular with wildlife watchers because animals increasingly concentrate around available water sources, adding that the period also offers generally drier conditions for travelling.
She said Kasane serves as the main gateway to Chobe National Park and is accessible by road and air, with its location near the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia making it possible for travellers to combine a Chobe visit with other destinations in the region.
“For travellers interested in responsible tourism, Chobe demonstrates how protected landscapes can combine wildlife conservation with carefully managed tourism, while giving visitors an opportunity to experience Botswana’s riverine wilderness up close,” Kereng said.
