Animal Planet - Wild Africa (The Chobe River)
- 6 years ago
Be it morning, noon or night, wherever you look out on to the Chobe River, you're sure to see an animal. From a large herd of cape buffalo grazing at the water’s edge to baboons having a drink of water, elephants taking a bath, crocodiles lying in the sun, fish eagles swooping overhead or hippos fighting each other, there’s always river-animal action happening somewhere.
Along this part of the Chobe River is also where Chobe National Park is located. Here you can take safaris on land through the park and along the water’s edge, or go by boat along the river to see the animals. In my opinion, the boat is the better option here, as you can get closer to some of the river animals, and it is not nearly as bumpy as a safari jeep.
My favorite animal to see was the hippopotamus. Generally throughout the day, hippos spend all of their time in the water to stay out of the heat, waiting until the nighttime to come out of the water and eat. However, the hippos along the Chobe River are different. Over the past few years, the populations of impala, buffalo, elephants and other animals that share the hippo’s food source have increased. There are over 70,000 elephants in the Chobe National Park alone – the highest population in all of Africa. Because of this, the hippos now come out in broad daylight to eat so they don’t miss out on the food. Sad for the hippos, but great for people wanting to see more then just their nose, eyes and ears sticking out of the water.
Along the shores, there are small villages that make their livelihood by fishing off of the river. Sadly, though, the river is being over fished, making it harder for the people and animals to find the food they need. Also, with all of the crocodiles in the river it can be quite dangerous. The crocodiles make animals coming to the water’s edge for a drink quite anxious, as a croc could jump out at them at any minute.
The Chobe River is the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, where the great elephant concentrations occur on the river during the dry season. The national park encompasses a vast area that also includes Savuti.
For elephant lovers and safari fanatics, the great elephant concentrations on the Chobe River occur during the winter months of May through to September / October.
However for serious birding enthusiasts the Chobe area is spectacular in the wet summer months when the migrant birds are in full colour, and antelope start dropping their young.
Proclaimed a wildlife reserve in 1968, and covering 11,700km2, Chobe National Park is situated in the far north-east of Botswana, bordered to the north by the Chobe River.
Chobe is game-viewing country, particularly in winter (March - July). November - December sees the migration of herbivores between the Chobe River and Savuti Marsh (and back between February and April). Game-viewing and bird-watching cruises on the Chobe River.
The Chobe's perennial waters rise in the northern Angolan highlands.
Along this part of the Chobe River is also where Chobe National Park is located. Here you can take safaris on land through the park and along the water’s edge, or go by boat along the river to see the animals. In my opinion, the boat is the better option here, as you can get closer to some of the river animals, and it is not nearly as bumpy as a safari jeep.
My favorite animal to see was the hippopotamus. Generally throughout the day, hippos spend all of their time in the water to stay out of the heat, waiting until the nighttime to come out of the water and eat. However, the hippos along the Chobe River are different. Over the past few years, the populations of impala, buffalo, elephants and other animals that share the hippo’s food source have increased. There are over 70,000 elephants in the Chobe National Park alone – the highest population in all of Africa. Because of this, the hippos now come out in broad daylight to eat so they don’t miss out on the food. Sad for the hippos, but great for people wanting to see more then just their nose, eyes and ears sticking out of the water.
Along the shores, there are small villages that make their livelihood by fishing off of the river. Sadly, though, the river is being over fished, making it harder for the people and animals to find the food they need. Also, with all of the crocodiles in the river it can be quite dangerous. The crocodiles make animals coming to the water’s edge for a drink quite anxious, as a croc could jump out at them at any minute.
The Chobe River is the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, where the great elephant concentrations occur on the river during the dry season. The national park encompasses a vast area that also includes Savuti.
For elephant lovers and safari fanatics, the great elephant concentrations on the Chobe River occur during the winter months of May through to September / October.
However for serious birding enthusiasts the Chobe area is spectacular in the wet summer months when the migrant birds are in full colour, and antelope start dropping their young.
Proclaimed a wildlife reserve in 1968, and covering 11,700km2, Chobe National Park is situated in the far north-east of Botswana, bordered to the north by the Chobe River.
Chobe is game-viewing country, particularly in winter (March - July). November - December sees the migration of herbivores between the Chobe River and Savuti Marsh (and back between February and April). Game-viewing and bird-watching cruises on the Chobe River.
The Chobe's perennial waters rise in the northern Angolan highlands.