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Chobe National Park Facts

Chobe National Park Facts
Chobe National Park is an 11,700 square kilometer park located in northern Botswana (Africa). It is Botswana's most diverse park in biological terms, and the third largest park in the country. The original inhabitants of the Chobe region were the Basarwa people, but in the 1900s the land was divided and much of the land was designated as Crown land. Established in 1967, the park was the first national park to be created in the country. Chobe National Park is divided into four distinct regions according to their ecosystem, including the Serondela (Chobe riverfront), Savuti Marsh area, the Linyanti Marsh, and the hinterland (grass woodland).
Interesting Chobe National Park Facts:
The original inhabitants of the Chobe National Park area were the Basarwa people also known as the San bushman. Paintings created by these people are still seen in the park on rocky hills.
Chobe National Park is Botswana's third largest park, falling behind Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Gemsbok National Park in size.
One of the largest game concentrations in Africa is found within Chobe National Park.
The Serondela area of Chobe National Park consists of dense woodlands, lush floodplains, and the Chobe River which provides an excellent watering spot for wildlife in the dry season.
The Savuti Marsh area of Chobe National Park consists of a marsh that is over 10,878 square kilometers in size and dries up and flows according to tectonic activity, as well as grasslands and vast savannahs.
The Linyanti Marsh area of Chobe National Park consists of woodlands, lagoons, and flood plains which supports diverse wildlife and bird life.
The hinterland area of Chobe National Park is a dry, hot area of grass woodlands.
In 1975 human activity in the park was finally halted but there is still evidence of the timber industry that threatened the woodlands.
There are an estimated 50,000 elephants living in Chobe National Park. This is thought to be the largest elephant population in all of Africa. In 1990 this elephant population was only a few thousand and it has grown steadily since.
During the dry season the elephants migrate and often end up in Zimbabwe's northwestern region.
Wildlife that can be found in Chobe National Park includes elephants, lions, leopards, crocodiles, sable antelopes, hippos, red lechwe, African wild dogs, zebras, impalas, wildebeests, kudus, warthogs, hyenas, cheetahs, storks, puku antelopes, sable buffalos, cape buffalos, giraffes, roan antelopes, sitatungas, and elands.
The Serondela area of Chobe National Park is the most popular with visitors, partly because of the diversity of the wildlife and birds, but also because it is closest to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls in the world.
Visitors to Chobe National Park can enjoy safaris and tours, and can stay in accommodations ranging from basic campgrounds to expensive lodges.
Bird watching cruises on the Chobe River are a popular tourist option.
There are at least 460 species of birds found in Chobe National Park including vultures, raptors, storks, ducks, and a variety of inland water birds.
Chobe National Park is one of Botswana's Seven Natural Wonders.


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