Nestled in Botswana’s north-eastern corner, Chobe National Park incorporates Chobe Riverfront (close to the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders), famous for its large elephant herds; and Savute (in the west), where a juxtaposition of contrasting habitats and handful of pumped waterholes sustain a melting pot of species.

The combination of larger hotel-style accommodation in Kasane and its proximity to Victoria Falls means the Chobe riverfront is Botswana’s busiest wildlife destination. Although crowds are not on the scale of some of the East African parks, the riverfront roads can get congested at times and game-viewing tends to be more productive by boat.

Savute has comparatively fewer vehicles, although it is also frequented by self-drive travellers and mobile safari operators.

Game-viewing on the permanent Chobe river is best during the dry season, when elephants and buffalo regularly swim across the broad waterway to feed on the lush islands – the sight of a herd of submerged elephants using their trunks as snorkels is unforgettable. The plentiful birdlife (including several near-endemic species) is also best appreciated from the river; predator sightings (particularly lion) are more common on land.

Game drives are the order of the day in Savute where wildlife-viewing is good year-round. In the dry season belligerent elephant bulls crowd the waterholes while migrating zebra herds arrive during the rains. Boasting healthy populations of lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog, it is also renowned for its predator interaction.