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5 Reasons To Choose Chobe Safari Lodge For a Family-Friendly Festive Season

admin — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 07:25:35 +0000

Our lodge hospitality team will make your family safari in Botswana unforgettable! Here’s why you should bring the kids to Chobe Safari Lodge for a Christmas in Kasane everyone will adore.

1. The Chobe Kids Cub Club

Chobe Safari Lodge operates a Kids Cub Club between 10h00 – 16h00 daily for all in-house residents. This holiday club is designed to keep your children as entertained as you are on safari.

Our safari club guide and coordinator will engage children with environmentally-based activities within the boundaries of Lodge, including guided trail meanders to safely meet our friendly animal residents, such as the Chobe bushbuck. Children will receive a bush bag with an educational booklet and other goodies for children 12 years and younger. They will be encouraged to ask questions about their natural surroundings and will learn about skulls and other animal parts plus make a take-home wildlife track mould. After a fun short test each will each receive a Junior Ranger certificate.

Want to prepare in advance? Perhaps bring along some items for the kids to make your own pair of binoculars? Check our Wild Child Safari-Inspired Schooling ideas.

There’s also the kids club indoor area that offers books, puzzles, sand art, playdough, wildlife DVDs, arts and crafts activities including making animal masks. Plus, the opportunity to join the cooking club with the help of our talented chefs!

We have a WhatsApp number so that the team is always in comms with the parents. This also allows us to share photographs of all the fantastic fun with everyone in the group.

Children are fed lunch and snacks at no additional costs, allowing parents to relax and regroup around the pool area.

Simply register when you book your accommodation.

To make a reservation at Chobe Safari Lodge call +2676250336 or +267 247 1112 or mail diane@chobesafarilodge.com

2. Spacious Family Suites

Family rooms with a separate childrens room consisting of bunk beds are available at Chobe Safari Lodge. All the rooms have stunning views of Chobe River and ground floor units open right onto the lawns so that the kids can play outside.

Did you know? Children cost just P250pp B&B when sharing a room with parents during the peak holiday season.

3. Half-Price Rates and Park Fees

Meals (buffet) and activities for children aged from 6yrs -11yrs cost 50% of the regular rate.

The same goes for the park fees! Children under 7yrs can enter Chobe National Park for free and children between the ages of 8 and 17 qualify for 50% off.

Also read: The Best SADC Specials in Botswana for a Safari Escape

4. Free Activities

Your little ones, children 0-5yrs can eat and join some safari activities, such as the boat cruise, for free.

5. Family-friendly food

Our pizza oven is renowned all around town! Our menu includes burgers and sandwiches too, perfect snacks and healthy meals for tiny tummies.

How to travel with children in the Chobe region

The green season – between November and March – is a very rewarding time of year to travel to northern Botswana. Lots of the plains game animals give birth at this time of year ensuring there will be plenty of ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaaaahhs’ during the game drives and boating activities.

There is also a variety of colourful birdlife as the migrants return to Africa for summer. Bird watching is the perfect opportunity to teach your children how to take it slow while on safari and to appreciate the smaller species of the African wild.

Also read: Birding expert shares top 10 birds to tick off at Chobe Safari Lodge

Combined with the thriving bush and flourishing scenery there are plenty of photo opportunities to take advantage of.

Then there is the exuberance of wildlife. Families will experience the enormous elephant population that roams the Chobe region. These precious pachyderms provide joyful encounters for both young and old!

Book a stay at Chobe Safari Lodge for your family

There are fantastic affordable family packages available this holiday season. To make a reservation at Chobe Safari Lodge call +2676250336 or +267 247 1112 or +267751481033 mail diane@chobesafarilodge.com

Terms and conditions apply. Rates are valid until January 2022.

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The post 5 Reasons To Choose Chobe Safari Lodge For a Family-Friendly Festive Season appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Birding expert shares top 10 birds to tick off at Chobe Safari Lodge

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 10:33:09 +0000

Andrew de Blocq is the Avitourism Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa and one of the top birders in Southern Africa. He visited us at Chobe Safari Lodge earlier this year and compiled ten of his must-see birds in the immediate area.

Why Chobe is a top birding destination

The Chobe region is rightfully regarded as one of Africa’s top safari destinations. Perhaps the most unique feature is the access to its main feature, the Chobe River, which meets the Zambezi at the confluence of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, known colloquially as “Bonazazi”. The river attracts a startling array of birds and animals seeking relief from the baking sun, and a boat tour surveying the edges of the mighty Chobe gives you unparalleled opportunities for natural encounters and photography.

For those inclined towards the local feathered attractions, there is plenty to see with well over 400 species of bird recorded in the area. These include some of Africa’s most charismatic and sought-after species. While the river is certainly the prime birding location, a drive through the nearby Chobe National Park and even a walk through the lush gardens of the Chobe Safari Lodge will reward you with pleasing sightings.

10 incredible birds to look for in the Chobe region of Botswana

Below I have listed ten birds that I consider to be top attractions in the Chobe region. I have stayed away from birds that are exciting but exceptionally rare (e.g. the Pennant-winged Nightjar) and have tried to satisfy both the enthusiastic lister through to the occasional avian observer by including species that characterize Chobe as a destination but also the African safari experience as a whole.

Putting this list together was a difficult task, but the easiest decision of the lot was which bird to start with – Chobe Safari Lodge’s icon.

1. African Fish Eagle

Like its American cousin, the Bald Eagle, the African Fish Eagle has become the iconic species of an entire continent. No African safari is complete without the regal call of this eagle, dubbed by many as “the sound of Africa”.

Photograph by Melanie van Zyl

While African Fish Eagles are widespread on the continent, the Chobe River is among the best places to see them. There are pairs of breeding birds scattered along the river edges and they have become habituated to the regular boat traffic, meaning that the normally skittish eagles are quite tolerant of passing boats and the whirr of camera shutters going off repeatedly. The best way to pick one up while out on your cruise is to look out for them perched in large riparian (riverside) trees. Their white head and breast help them to stand out against the darker background.

2. African Skimmer

Like the continentally iconic African Fish Eagle, the African Skimmer is synonymous with the Chobe River. These rather awkward-looking birds appear front-heavy, with their large red and yellow bills protruding from their tuxedo-like black and white bodies.

However, when you see these birds moving up and down the river this weird anatomy and their name all click as the birds expertly skim prey from the water, flying just above the surface and dipping their abnormally large lower mandible underwater to collect small fish and crustaceans. Flybys from family groups of skimmers is common on early morning and late afternoon river cruises, otherwise they can be spotted resting on sandbars, often among other species.

3. Collared Palm Thrush

Chobe Safari Lodge is famous in Southern African birding circles for this particular bird. The leafy gardens at the hotel are where most birders come for their ‘lifer’ tick because they are quite common and conspicuous here.

Collared Palm Thrushes and found practically nowhere else in Southern Africa, although they can be found more commonly further to the north and northeast. Collared Palm Thrushes can be inquisitive but will frustrate photographers as they seldom sit still and often flit in and out of thick vegetation. A walk around the bushier areas of the lodge should reward you with an enjoyable sighting.

4. Southern Carmine Bee-eater

From a reclusive resident to a very out-there migrant species: the pink lady of the African bush.

Photograph by Andrew de Blocq

Southern Carmine Bee-eaters are eye-poppingly beautiful with their dazzling hues of pink and blue contrasting with the comparatively drab bush backdrop. What makes them even more spectacular is their gregarious nature, with flocks commonly numbering into the hundreds. Watching a throng of these bee-eaters hawking insects in flight while chattering away to each other is a spectacle like no other. While the Big 5 are sleeping in the shade in the midday sun of the summer months, these birds can more than compensate for the lack of furry action.

5. Rock Pratincole

Another sought-after summer visitor is the Rock Pratincole. These birds will only visit the region in summer, but their presence can be unpredictable as they are sensitive to water levels. Their preferred habitat is on rocks protruding from river rapids so when the river gets too full and the rocks are submerged they will move elsewhere. They can be difficult to spot because of their camouflaged plumage, but they can be easily identified when seen by the white line under their eyes. One possible way to see these special birds is to book a tiger fishing trip as the feisty fish inhabit the selfsame shallow-water rapids as the pratincoles.

6. Southern Ground Hornbill

This enigmatic hornbill species is the envy of all the ladies with its luscious long eyelashes.

Photograph by Oliver Schapp

Unlike its tree-dwelling cousins (six other hornbill species can be found around Chobe: Southern Yellow-billed, Southern Red-billed, Bradfield’s, African Grey, Crowned, and Trumpeter), this hornbill struts its stuff through grassy patches looking for snakes, scorpions, grasshoppers, lizards, beetles, and whatever other small scurrying creatures it can snatch in its powerful bill. It is known colloquially as the ‘thunderbird’ because of its deep, booming call but also its connection to rain events in African lore. They are extremely territorial and aggressive to outsiders to the family group, to the point that they are known to damage cars, windows, and other property where they mistake their own reflections for intruders.

7. White-backed Vulture

This bird is not included for the way it looks (in fact, vultures are considered – unfairly I think – to be hideously ugly by many), but rather for its ecological and conservation value. Like your local binmen, they provide a vital service without much in the way of acknowledgement or appreciation. Vultures are nature’s clean-up crew, and without these scavengers, the health of the ecosystem and nearby communities are at serious risk.

Vultures can strip a carcass in record time, preventing outbreaks of diseases like rabies and tuberculosis as well as the spread of anthrax in the environment. Though the White-backed Vulture is the most commonly encountered species, it is considered Critically Endangered meaning that without significant intervention it is likely to become extinct within our lifetimes. The vultures as a group are facing a grim future in the face of mass poisoning events, lead pollution, and the wildlife trade, and it would be an indictment on us humans if we lost these important ecosystem service providers. Already, the White-headed Vulture is functionally extinct in this area, but the White-backed, Lappet-faced, and Hooded Vultures persist in dwindling numbers.

8. Coppery-tailed Coucal

The melodic, bubbling, waterfall-like call of the coucal emanating from the reedbeds is one of the emblematic sounds of the Chobe River. Coucals are a favourite with many guests because of their call and their attractive rufous, black and cream colouration, but what often ruins this loveable facade is their habit of ripping open weaver nests to feed on the helpless chicks. The coucals are a member of the cuckoo family (Cuculidae for the bird nerds out there) but are substantially different in two main ways. Firstly, there are relative brutes compared to their more delicate relatives with strong, powerful bodies and hefty bills. Most surprisingly, though, they don’t have the same well-known cuckoo behaviour of laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, which is termed brood parasitism. Like most birds, coucals do the responsible thing and choose to raise their own young. They do have some redeeming features, it seems.

9. Long-toed Lapwing

Long-toed Lapwings are synonymous with African swamps and are easily spotted with their pied black-and-white plumage. When agitated, they will fly up and down giving their scratchy, chattering call. Many visitors will have heard the tales of birds picking food out of the teeth of crocodiles. Lapwings are often the supposed dental hygienists in these stories, but it turns out there is very little evidence to support this association other than the Egyptian Plover, which is not found here. However, crocodiles and hippos do make use of the lapwings and thick-knees as sentries. When the birds give their alarm calls the aquatic behemoths take heed and head for the water to avoid whatever danger was detected.

10. Yellow-billed Oxpecker

One very well documented mutualism is that between oxpeckers and various African herbivores. There are two species of oxpecker in Chobe, distinguished by their either entirely red or mostly yellow beaks as their names imply. Oxpeckers are often seen hitching a ride and combing the fur of antelope looking for ticks and other parasites to snack on. What is less known is that the birds will also feed on mucous, eye gunk, dead skin, scabs, and even flesh and blood. Blood is a particular favourite, and sometimes oxpeckers will deliberately keep a wound open to keep tapping it for the protein-rich flow.

Photograph by Andrew de Blocq

I chose the Yellow-billed Oxpecker for this list because it is the prettier of the two and also the rarer. Red-billed Oxpeckers attend the full range of mammals from small antelope through to rhinos and even hippos.

Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, on the other hand, are not tolerated by smaller and thinner-skinned hosts because of their sharper claws, so the best way to find them is to search for big game like giraffes and buffalo.

The Green Season is the Best Time For Birding

Photograph by Cornelia Rautenbach

Although Botswana has no endemic bird species, it’s one of the easiest places in the world to find extraordinary feathered friends. Migrant birds will be swooping about all over the park between December and February. Why not spend your Christmas in Kasane? Baby animals, vibrant birdlife, affordability and the magnificent rains are just a few reasons to visit during Botswana’s lush Green Season.

CONTACT US TO BOOK YOUR BIRDING SAFARI TO CHOBE SAFARI LODGE.

The post Birding expert shares top 10 birds to tick off at Chobe Safari Lodge appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

What is it like to safari in Botswana right now? This family shares everything

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 07:47:19 +0000

In December we were delighted to have a family join us on a Botswana safari all the way from Slovakia. The family of five maximised their trip out from Europe and visited some of the country’s most iconic areas, starting with the inimitable Okavango Delta, crossing over to the Kalahari Central Game reserve and ending with a few days relaxing on the banks of the Chobe River.

We asked them what it was like to travel for a safari right now, during a global pandemic.

1. Where in Botswana did you travel to and why?

After a very tough year which affected us all, we wanted to enjoy our time together as a family in untouched nature. Our biggest aim was to observe animals in their natural habitat without any distractions.

So, we got advice from experts at Under One Botswana Sky and they curated a two-week family-friendly itinerary for us. We spent three nights each at the Kwando Safaris Pom Pom and Splash Camp in the Okavango Delta, Tau Pan Camp in the Central Kalahari and ended with three nights at Chobe Safari Lodge.

2. You two are doctors – what was the toughest part about getting there?

The most stressful thing was waiting at home for the results of PCR tests before our flights! It is necessary to thoroughly prepare for long flight transfers – especially when travelling with kids – so we had to make sure we had enough stocks of masks and disinfectant, basic drugs in case of a headache. We also packed spare clothes in our hand luggage.

3. What was the highlight of your trip?

We saw so much more than we expected. In Slovakia, you usually have to be very lucky to see and observe wildlife up close. So we were amazed about the intimate, but safe, encounters we had in the game drive vehicles.

4. Any favorite sightings?

When I asked the children, they said they liked everything. The same applies to us! We lived and experienced every moment intensely. Observing the nature and behaviour of animals in their natural environment is very liberating.

Whether it’s herds of antelope and zebras, giraffes, elephants or hippos, or the confident movement of lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetah and hyenas.

Also read: 10 Awesome bucket list reasons to travel to Botswana

5. Any surprises out on safari?

We were most amazed by the amount of knowledge the expert guides shared with us. They tirelessly explained everything to us – geography, zoology, botany, animal tracking.

6. How did your children feel about travelling and new airport protocols?

Children must be able to understand cautious behaviour today. They must also be of the age to be prepared in advance for possible complications and disappointments. It is important to be aware of the level of travel risk. We also had insurance for medical expenses in the event of hospitalization and in the event of illness from COVID-19 to cover any quarantine accommodation and meals.

Also read: Wild Child: Safari-Inspired Schooling

The risk is not much higher than if you stayed at home, moving to the places where you normally go. Of course, you can stay at home without contact with other people, but coronavirus COVID-19 is not the only pathogen in the world to be feared. We couldn’t do that at all. It is necessary to protect yourself, and especially in public transport always (after all, you can catch not only the coronavirus there). So wearing a mask and frequent hand disinfection are the key.

We found people of Botswana very disciplined and cautious in terms of following all health and safety regulations.

8. Any advice for others?

Prepare thoroughly in advance. From the necessary vaccinations, through to prophylaxis for malaria, to the pack correctly. Study the conditions of entry into the countries you will pass through, but most importantly, get advice from people who know the country well!

Book a family safari to Botswana
Book with your dedicated Under One Botswana Sky reservations consultant or via marketing@underonebotswanasky.com

Also read: When is it safe to book my next safari?

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Celebrating 60 Years of Safari at Chobe Safari Lodge

admin — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 12:08:51 +0000

Famous for its outstanding tourism and precious gems, this year Botswana’s essential qualities collide just outside Chobe National Park – 2019 marks the Diamond Jubilee for a heritage property, Chobe Safari Lodge.

Botswana Heritage Stay Celebrates 60 Years of Safari

Images and text courtesy of Botswana’s National Archives.

Kasane’s oldest tourism offering, Chobe Safari Lodge is a landmark establishment on the border of Botswana’s first and oldest national park. Celebrating 60 years of service this year, the iconic riverfront stay has long worn a sign at the entrance announcing a birthdate of 1959.

However, Botswana’s National Archives reveal that the very first hotel application was actually put forward almost 30 years earlier.

Introducing the Chobe River Hotel

Following the successful establishment and prosperous tourism appeal of the Kruger National Park, the vast lands of the Chobe district were officially declared as a non-hunting zone in 1932 by the resident commissioner, Charles Rey, in then-Bechuanaland.

Images and text courtesy of Botswana’s National Archives.

The 80-year old archival letters also divulge early ties to the nearby Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe. Under 100 kilometres away, suggestions recommended the two lodgings link up so that intrepid visitors might relive David Livingstone’s journey to Mosi-oa-Tunya, catch a feisty tiger fish in the mighty Chobe River and explore Botswana’s pristine wilds.
Charles Rey wrote,

“The Kruger Park pays well, so there is no reason why we should not achieve something of the sort. We have several great natural advantages … game of great variety and in large quantities, excellent fishing in the Zambesi and Chobe Rivers; there are mineral hot water springs between Kasane and Kazungula; in the fourth place, we have not got to look for tourists. They already go to the Victoria Falls Hotel, where they have not much to do beyond looking at the falls”.

However, the lasting effects of two world wars and accompanying financial pressures never saw this reality emerge until one Mr Charles Trevor and his wife, Ethnee Holmes à Court, gained interest again in 1959 – the Chobe River Hotel was born.

Images and text courtesy of Botswana’s National Archives.

A brief history of Chobe Safari Lodge

The earliest hotel brochure lists prices in British shillings and states “Tourist Camp, Bar, Al Fresco Restaurant – open” and that nearby, there is “plenty game, bit shy!” A night at the Chobe River Hotel cost just 15 shillings per hut (roughly equivalent to BWP 220 today).

Fortunately, following the independence of Botswana in 1966, the Chobe Game Reserve was officially proclaimed as a National Park in 1968, thus safeguarding the future of this ‘shy game’.

“Unspoilt Botswana!” declares a later, 44-year old brochure. “The expansive Chobe National Park, teeming with free-roaming wildlife. Here is the Africa of your dreams!”. From May 1972, the hotel was known as Chobe Safari Lodge, “Botswana’s year around safari resort”.

Images and text courtesy of Botswana’s National Archives.

Many things change, but mercifully, many things don’t. What began as a distant outpost in northern Botswana has transformed into a thriving tourist hub. Kasane has mushroomed in the 60 years since the town’s first hotel opened for business. Today there are over 30 accommodation options in town. However, Chobe National Park remains a wildlife haven harbouring Botswana’s densest concentration of wildlife.

Chobe Safari Lodge today

Home to the unusual African Quadripoint – the only place in the world where four countries meet – and famed as the unofficial elephant capital of Botswana, Kasane and the wider Chobe region continues to lure globetrotters. Where else on earth can one see elephants snorkelling across the water and witness the wild on an afternoon river safari? Precious Puku find safety on the floodplains and the unique African Skimmers shelter on riverine island sandbanks. The handsome and endemic Chobe Bushbuck still treads between the chalets at Chobe Safari Lodge and warthogs mow across the lawns too.

A Chobe Bushbuck at Chobe Safari Lodge.

Those early ties with Victoria Falls still continue. Visitors today keep enjoying easy day trips to the magnificent World Wonder in neighbouring Zimbabwe. This regional consolidation can only strengthen more with the enterprising construction of the new Kazungula Bridge into Zambia and further fortify with the introduction of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Area (KAZA) visa.

There are eight original rondavels at Chobe Safari Lodge.

Chobe Safari Lodge remains the ideal expedition base for forays into Botswana’s first national park. Founded in 1959, what started as six simple chalets now boasts 81 rooms combining convenience with quality. You can still book into one of the original 1960’s era rondavels. Each unit is modern on the inside but retains a traditional safari feel on the outside. They are also blessed with views over the enchanting Chobe River.

Newly revamped, the interiors of the rondavels have been modernised.

A hippo’s lifespan is typically 40–50 years. Maybe this one remembers older days on the Chobe River.

Stay at Chobe Safari Lodge

A true, trusted establishment in Kasane, Chobe Safari Lodge has helped travellers explore Chobe National Park for 60 years. Set up to overlook the charming Chobe riverfront, this lodge is the only one in town sharing a border with Chobe National Park. The Chobe Safari Lodge has been under its current ownership since 1989 – a coincidental anniversary of 20 years. The stylish Chobe Bush Lodge has since joined the Under One Botswana Sky collection, opening doors in 2015. Chobe Bush Lodge features more contemporary design and is a more intimate, modern stay. Riverine views are a short walk away and the quieter setting offers a more relaxed stay.

Also read: 5 Unusual Things to do in Chobe

The post Celebrating 60 Years of Safari at Chobe Safari Lodge appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

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.

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Luxury on the Edge of the Chobe National Park

admin — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:50:08 +0000

At the very end of the main road in Kasane in northern Botswana is a group of lodges and a campsite owned by Under One Botswana Sky. One of these is the Chobe Bush Lodge which looks out onto the Chobe National Park and for travellers like us, who had thrown away their leaking tent on the first night of a 12-day trip around Botswana, this lodge saved our entire trip.

Our initial trip itinerary included a few places along the way from Gaborone to Kasane and we planned to combine camping with tented accomodation and treat ourselves for a few nights at a lodge as well. We planned to spend a few nights in Kasane at the Chobe Safari Lodge mid-way through our trip, but because of heavy rains and a leaking tent (which we threw away on day 1) we had to change our plans and headed straight for Kasane where we would stay for most of our trip.

We arrived in Kasane at around 18h and our GPS directed us straight to the lodge (or so we thought). At the very end of the main road that runs through Kasane is Chobe Safari Lodge, where we parked our Toyota RAV4, filled with camping gear that wouldn’t be used. We had called a day earlier after our tent had been thrown away and added a few more nights to our previously booked reservation at the lodge, but at the reception we were told that they weren’t expecting us till the following day, but that we could spend our first night at their sister lodge, the Chobe Bush Lodge just across the street and then check in to the Safari Lodge the following day.

The recption & lounge area and curio shop at Chobe Bush Lodge.
Under One Botswana Sky is a group of lodges in Botswana, two of which are the Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge. The Safari Lodge is the oldest of the two and is literally on the banks of the Chobe river while the Bush lodge, across the street is merely two years old and looks out on to the Chobe National Park. We checked in to the Bush Lodge and were impressed by the modern design and feel of the lodge while still keeping a natural, bush-theme about it. The room was very clean and had all your basic amenities including satellite TV, coffee/tea facilities, large bathroom with toilet, shower and tub and a large terrace that looked out onto the pool area and outside bar. None of the rooms have fridges, but the staff gladly and quickly brought us a small bar-fridge in which we could keep the food and drink we had brought along on our trip.

The spacious room and comfy bed are quite inviting.
Our room was relatively close to the reception and kitchen area, so the noise was a little irritating (we could hear every detail of the reception’s phone call when someone called), but we figured we’d last the night and move into our room at the Safari Lodge the following morning. We made our way to the restaurant that evening and had some tasty ostrich kebabs before turning in for the night after a full day’s driving.

The next day we strolled over to the Safari Lodge and after having a look at their rooms we decided to in fact stay at the Bush Lodge. While the layout of the rooms is more or less the same and while the Safari Lodge rooms do look out on the Chobe River, we preferred the modern feel of the rooms at the Bush Lodge and the helpful lady at the bookings office said it was no problem at all if we wanted to stay at the Bush Lodge. They even transferred us to another room away from the kitchen and reception area which was much more peaceful. Since both lodges are part of the same “family”, guests at either one can visit and use the facilities of both lodges as well as the Sedudu bar which overlooks the river and is located at the campsite in between the two lodges.

The lounge area in the Chobe Safari Lodge that looks out onto the Chobe River.
Since we hadn’t planned on spending most of our trip staying at the lodge, we had to redirect some of our funds towards the extra nights of accomodation, which meant we couldn’t really enjoy all the meals at the lodges’ restaurants, but this wasn’t a problem at all as there are various other eateries in Kasane that offer great food and aren’t as expensive. The Sedudu bar at the Chobe Bush Lodge has a relaxing, African vibe to it and the Sedudu Island Ice Tea was a favourite cocktail of ours there! The outdoor area has ample space for having drinks, a snack or just lying by the pool and reading a book. The weather didn’t permit for any pool-usage, so our swimming costumes remained dry the whole time, but the pool did look inviting.

The restaurant and bar at Chobe Safari Lodge overlooking the tranquil swimming pool.
The room itself was spacious and elegantly designed with carpetting all round (the rooms in the Safari Lodge had cold tiles all round), a very comfy bed with mosquito nets, a large bath tub and a massive walk-in shower. Room service for food and beverages is available via the phone (we were relatively quickly brought our ice bucket which we ordered for our Amarula* on New Year’s eve), satellite TV with a number of channels, hairdryer and locking safe are all at your disposal as well. The large sliding doors (with mosquito netting included) lead out on to a spacious wooden terrace with a small coffee table and chairs on it, so you can enjoy relaxing moments out there as well with a coffee or beer in hand and listen to the sounds of the bush. We frequently had families of warthog, babooons and even antelope walk past our terrace, foraging for food in the thickets below, not to mention the numerous birds one can observe in the tree tops in front of you as well.

*Amarula is a cream liqueur from South Africa. It is made with sugar, cream and the fruit of the African marula tree.

The large terrace gives you a great view of the bush leading into the Chobe National Park.
The Chobe Bush Lodge has 38 luxury en-suite rooms and 4 large exclusive family rooms. They have a small curio shop (although the one at the Safari Lodge is larger and has more souvenirs to choose from) and one can even borrow an umbrella from the front desk at no extra cost, as we had to do one rainy day when we wanted to go for a walk through Kasane. There is also a small shopping centre very close by where you can find a Choppies supermarket for all your grocery needs. The main booking office for all activities is located at the Safari lodge so you can still arrange all your safari, boat cruise and Victoria Falls day trips through them as well. We did all these activites through another tour operator as they had been recommended to us by friends, but if you want convenience and practicality, then the Chobe Bush Lodge can meet all your needs.

The local baboons are relaxed enough to come pay you a visit.
Since we didn’t plan or budget to spend 6 nights at the lodge, our accomodation ended up being a bit more than we had hoped for, but given our circumstances and how our trip started, we weren’t that perturbed by it. A night at the Chobe Bush Lodge, per room is P1720 (Botswana Pula) or $192 (US Dollar). This does not include breakfast, lunch or dinner. Breakfast is P160 or $27 per person (served from 7am-10am) while lunch and dinner are a la carte.

During our stay there we explored the town of Kasane and saw that there are many other accomodation options, which include campsites, other lodges and even self-catering options as well. Next time we head up to Kasane, we’ll probably give the Chobe Bush Lodge a miss and try one of the other places, probably camping at their campsite or perhaps try one of the self-catering options available in Kasane. Our stay at the Chobe Bush Lodge was indeed exceptional, but it does have a very hotel-esque vibe to it, even though the ambiance around is very rustic and natural and next time (given that we are much better prepared) we’d go for a more “down to earth” kind of experience, so to speak. But if you are planning a trip to Kasane, pamper yourself for at least a couple of nights and relax in the splendour of the Chobe Bush Lodge… just don’t spend too much time there, or you won’t get to experience what camping and overnighting in Botswana are really all about.

Originally published on Road Beneath Our Feet blog.

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