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Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe is famous for being one of Africa’s super parks because its concentration of game is one of the highest on the continent. The park gets its name from the Chobe River that forms the border between Botswana and Namibia in the north-eastern corner of the country. And it’s this river that makes the park unique, because the animals come here in their hundreds to drink, especially in the drier winter months (May to October). Something not to be missed is a boat trip on the river. It’s a wonderful way to spot wildlife because you can (very quietly) come within several metres of a large herd of elephants (of which there are more than 50 000 in the park), buffalo, hippos, red lechwes, and a host of other species. There are various options for boat rides, from smaller private boats to big double-deckers with a crew on board. Naturally the Chobe River is an excellent place for photography, and you can also hire a boat that will take you to places with the best photo opportunities. Have you ever wanted to snap a picture of an elephant walking with her young amongst the water lilies at sunset? This is the perfect spot for it – just keep an eye on that hippo behind your boat. Besides wildlife, Chobe is also a sought-after destination for bird watchers, with more than 460 species seen here. So bring your binoculars and your camera.