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5 Unusual Things to do in Chobe

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 13:21:46 +0000

Improve any Chobe safari with something a little more unusual.

A couple of weeks ago, we took part in the #ThisisChobe travel campaign to celebrate everything we love about the abundant plains and waterways in northern Botswana.

The winding Chobe River establishes Botswana’s border with Namibia and forms the upper boundary of the enormous, game-rich Chobe National Park. With plentiful water sources and a sprawling protected wild habitat, Chobe is a sanctuary for many birds and animals. Most magnificent of which has to be the high concentration of elephants. Nowhere else in Africa can you see more of these massive mammals.

5 unusual things to do in Chobe

Explore northern Botswana and use these five ways to make sure your next Chobe trip is unforgettable.

1. Visit Kasane’s baobab prison tree

Just a short walk away from Chobe Safari Lodge, this historical landmark baobab has an unusual history. Almost entirely hollow in the middle, this big tree was broad enough to hold prisoners. Strategic points were sealed off so that the mighty mowana (which is the Setswana word for baobab) could be used as a cell during the 1800s.

The historic tree sits beside the far more modern Kasane police station and there are several information boards around it so you can learn more about this intriguing botanical history.

2. Try a mopane worm

Just past the old baobab tree, you’ll find street vendors and the informal market stands set up around Hunter’s Mall (where the Spar grocery store is). Wander the stalls and you’ll find colourful wax cloth, shoes, electronics and local food. The most unusual for visitors to Botswana is surely the humble mopane worm.

Commonly called a worm, these caterpillars are actually the juicy grubs of the wide-winged Emperor moth. The colourful worms are plucked from the prolific mopane trees that grow in the area, dried and packed to serve as little protein snacks. They can be eaten dry or fried up again with a sauce. According to a Zimbabwean nutritionist, Marlon Chidemo, these “worms are high in healthy nutrients and contain three times the amount of protein as beef”.

For a tamer taste of the Chobe, you can always try the locally-farmed Chobe River Bream instead. Battered and served with fries, you’ll find it on the menu at Chobe Bush Lodge.

3. Sundowners at Sedudu Bar

Have you ever heard the story of Sedudu?

Once upon a time, Sedudu didn’t have a home. An island, Sedudu is completely surrounded by the Chobe River and many tried to claim it (even though it vanishes underwater for months at a time when the waters flood down from Angola). In Namibia, Sedudu is known as Kasikili Island. However, Botswana won the right to stake the name as Sedudu and welcome it within its borders.

The land dispute was a matter so dear to these residents, it had to be resolved by official intervention from the International Court of Justice in 1999.
Order an icy St Louis beer (the local beverage of choice) and celebrate Botswana’s victory by enjoying a Chobe River sunset from Sedudu Bar. Find it inside the Chobe Safari Lodge campsite and don’t forget to bring your binoculars to watch the wonderful waterbirds flying home to nest.

4. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Chobe River

One of the most unusual things you can do in Chobe. End off your stay in style with a memorable meal served in the smooth waters of the Chobe River. A candlelit-table will romance any evening. Then, once delectable dinner is over, the upper deck serves as a sensational stargazing site. Read more about dinner cruising on the Chobe River here.

5. Don’t miss a river safari

Last but not least, Chobe is famous for its unusual game-spotting approach. Where else can you glide alongside a herd of elephant wading in the water? Join in the merriment of an afternoon sunset cruise with well-qualified guides, such as Connie Moremong. She’ll tell you about the 731-kilometre journey the Chobe River takes from source to sea, about the fish and frogs who call these waters home, and more. “If I had to just name frogs it would take the whole trip!”, she exclaims.

Otherwise, hire a private boat in the morning (between 7am and 2pm) for a more intimate experience of the Chobe River.

Where to stay in Chobe

Kasane is home to two Under One Botswana Sky’s Chobe lodges. This wild town in the northernmost stretch of Botswana has no fence to the park and wildlife often roams free.

Game you can expect to see in the neighbouring Chobe National Park includes the four of the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard). Plus, the watery Chobe plains offer sightings of hippo, Red lechwe, puku, sable, crocodile and even wild dog.

Also read: How to Choose Safari Accommodation

Chobe Safari Lodge

A true, trusted establishment in Kasane, Chobe Safari Lodge has helped travellers explore Chobe National Park for over fifty years. Set up to overlook the charming Chobe riverfront, this lodge is the only one in town sharing a border with Chobe National Park.

Chobe Bush Lodge

Still fresh on the safari scene Chobe Bush Lodge feature contemporary design and is a more intimate, modern stay. Riverine views are a short walk away and the quieter setting offers a more relaxed

The post 5 Unusual Things to do in Chobe appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

#ThisIsChobe: In Abundance

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 10:30:54 +0000

There’s so much to love about Chobe National Park that there’s even a four-day long #ThisIsChobe campaign dedicated to celebrating it – and it starts this weekend!

What is #ThisIsChobe?

The #ThisIsChobe campaign began in 2014 as a ‘Twitter safari’ to give both those who know as well as those who want to visit Chobe a chance to celebrate their love for or find out more about this top safari destination by simply following the hashtag.

Four years on and the campaign has extended to include Facebook and Instagram, but it continues to remain “dedicated to exploring and sharing the very best of Chobe”. This Saturday marks the start of this year’s event, which will continue through until this upcoming Tuesday.

What will we be doing during #ThisIsChobe?

The Chobe River, which Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge look across, is a well-known haven for local herds of elephants who come to quench their thirst or wallow in the cool water. On Monday, Chobe Safari Lodge will be hosting the #ThisIsChobe Team as well as representatives of Elephants Without Borders and CARACAL, two organisations that do wonderful wildlife conservation work throughout Africa.

We’ll be on the ground covering some of the events taking place over the four days. So, if you’re keen on joining us on our online safari in Chobe, check out our feed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Why do we love Chobe?

Elephants everywhere: This lush paradise is the stomping ground of more elephants than anywhere else in Africa. If you love elephants like we do, you definitely need to plan a safari to Chobe National Park.

Diverse animal species: It’s not just about the ellies though. Chobe is also home to a wonderful variety of big cats like leopard and lions as well as plains game such as giraffe, zebra and different types of antelope.

Feathered friends from afar: Over 450 species of birds are found in Chobe and many of these are migrants who come to enjoy the warm and wet summers.

Water-based safaris: The mighty Chobe River and its waterways make for the perfect way to encounter game from a mokoro. And watching the sunset from a boat is simply spectacular.

To find out more about the #ThisIsChobe campaign or to book your Chobe safari, contact us.

The post #ThisIsChobe: In Abundance appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

3 Reasons Why We Think Botswana is the Best African Safari Destination

admin — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 08:40:50 +0000

Offering a diverse safari experience throughout the year, it’s no wonder Botswana is a top African safari destination.

Botswana is visited annually by people from around the world who are eager to float alongside the elephants and hippos of the Okavango Delta floodplains and, from the comfort of their safari vehicle, witness big cats prowling for antelopes in the Chobe National Park.

While there are many reasons why we think Botswana is the world’s most special safari destination, we’ve narrowed it down to our top three.

Impressive biodiversity

Botswana is home to all of the Big 5 @ Under One Botswana Sky

A trip to Botswana offers an extensive mix of plant and animal life as a result of different habitats occurring in the delta. There is a wide range of national parks and game reserves that cover these various environments, affording safari-goers a remarkable variety in game-viewing.

From the elevated viewpoints at the Chobe Bush Lodge, you’ll get to see hippos and crocodiles hunting in the Chobe River. Venture out in open safari vehicles from Nata Lodge to be entranced by flamingos dancing across the vast salt pans and herds of herbivores roaming the grasslands of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans.

If you want to see all of the Big 5 in one African safari, Botswana is definitely the best place to do so.

Distinctive mobility

Not only is the wildlife on offer in Botswana diverse, so too is the way you can see it. There are multiple distinct modes of transport to choose from when going on a safari in African bush.

Take to the footpaths, where your local guide will teach you the ins and outs of spoor tracking and take you to stunning bird-watching spots. Recently built in the South Eastern part of the Okavango, Rra Dinare and Mma Dinare offer guided nature walks when the season permits.

To have the truly authentic Botswana experience, hop into a mokoro – a locally-made canoe hollowed out from wood – from Gunns Camp and glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta. Your guide will pole you through the channels to view elephants, waterbuck and the rare Red Lechwe.

Botswana also boasts beautiful sunsets and you can have a front row seat to this spectacular sight on a sunset boat cruise. You do not want to miss out on this highly rated safari activity at Chobe Safari Lodge.

GDHP1 on Tripadvisor had this to say on their 2017 trip to Botswana: “Seeing animals from the sundowner boat cruise on the Chobe River provided a different and equally exciting experience: elephants swimming across the river and greeting each other as long-lost friends, huge herds of buffalo, crocodile, sunset on the river”.

Sustainable tourism

By doing tourism sustainably in Botswana, camps like Moremi Crossing support a healthy and protected environment by being built with a modern and eco-friendly focus. It helps to reduce its environmental impact by using solar and waste disposal technology.

In order for the Chobe National Park to maintain the highest concentration of African Elephants globally, and for the country as a whole to successfully rebuild its rhino population, such initiatives are critical contributions to local wildlife conservation.

Because of its unique and varied safari opportunities, Botswana is a much-loved destination by first-time and repeat travellers to Africa. If you haven’t already been, we think you’re missing out.

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