BOTSWANA PARKS: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Chobe, in the north of Botswana and sharing a border with Moremi reserve, is one of the best places in the world to see the African elephant en masse. The Chobe River, from which the park takes its name, is where they come to drink, to bathe and to socialize. This is a wonderful place in which to see them in family groups, to observe their behavior at close quarters and to admire their beauty. It is not just the elephant that attract visitors, but with around fifty thousand of them in Chobe's 11,700 square kilometers of glorious wilderness they are obviously a major draw. Exceptionally large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and a breathtaking annual zebra migration are also of serious interest, whilst the rangers find that the prides of lion here often appear to specialize in one particular prey species - one group, for example, seem to concern themselves almost exclusively with zebra, another with buffalo.

The landscape in Chobe is varied. Floodplains, riverine forest, pans, bush and the now dry Savuti Channel all provide prime bird and animal habitat. There are 440 bird species found in the river area, including many rare or unusual species. The rare African skimmer breeds on a small island in the Chobe river, the small but exquisitely colored malachite kingfishers spy for fish from trees on the river bank and, if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Pel's fishing owl. The fishing is also good for human visitors - there are about twenty species of fish to be caught that make good eating!

The river in its upper reaches is known as the Linyanti. Swamp land, lagoons, reeds and papyrus are dwarfed by the great trees in the riverine forest. Water berry and water pear trees line the water's edge and magnificent lead woods grow in the forested areas. This is the perfect habitat for the handsome roan antelope with its chestnut coat and curving horns. In addition, this is where the vast herds of Chobe come in the dry season.

The Savuti plains are in the south west of the park and are famous for wonderful game viewing. The lion are numerous and much-studied and their pursuit of the zebra migration is a sight not to be missed. The other main predators are here too, including cheetah and leopard, and there is the chance of seeing the wild dog.

Chobe really is one of the great African national parks. Elephant, buffalo and lion are numerous, many rare animals and birds are to be found, animal behavior is specialized and therefore particularly fascinating, and the sunsets are spectacular.