Chobe National Park - Botswana
Our small group spent one night at the boutique Ngoma Safari Lodge, perched on the edge of a plateau, and offering unobstructed views over the floodplains of the Chobe River. The lodge is easily accessible, yet completely private and offers six double and two triple luxury river-facing thatched suites.
The lodge is made from local materials and designed to blend into the surrounding environment. The central guest area holds the reception, curio shop, restaurant and bar, a sundeck, swimming pool and viewing platform and the guest suites are a short walk away from the main entrance.
Every suite is completely glass-fronted, providing a 180-degree view over the flood plains and into the distance. The suites are spaced out and screened by natural vegetation, offering the guests privacy and a private deck with a small plunge pool and outdoor shower. Inside, an en-suite bathroom with double washbasin, shower and toilet rounds off the eco-friendly accommodation offering. Fans, mini-safe, electric lamps, minibar, and tea/coffee making facilities are all there.
A range of activities are available for guests, ranging from game drives, and walking safaris, to night drives, mokoro excursions and cultural exchange programmes where guests visit a nearby village and connect with the local culture.
The lodge also has a boma across the car park, where festive barbecue dinners are held, with song and dance performances.
There is limited Wi-Fi connectivity in the main restaurant / bar area.
Chobe National Park is Botswana’s most diverse park in biological terms, it is classic big game country where elephants and herds of buffalo roam and is known as the ‘Land of the Giants’. It is also famous for wandering leopards, normally an elusive species, as we found out during an afternoon game drive. Chobe is not fenced, which allows animals to roam freely and as a result, they can cover huge distances.
But for bird lovers, Chobe is a great destination too. Water birds, migrating birds and raptors nest close to the river.
Forests of mopane trees, woodlands and sandy riverbanks are all part of the diverse ecosystem, which makes up Chobe National Park. The most accessible part of the National Park is the riverfront, where you will also find the largest concentration of wildlife as they all come for a drink or a dip at some point during the day.
Spectacular wildlife sightings are around every corner and every time of day will provide a different opportunity to enjoy the African wildlife. Chobe feels like true wilderness.
Buffalo, Elephants, Leopard, Impala, Mongoose, Lions, Zebra, Baboons, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hippo, and a wide variety of birdlife are but a few of the species a keen photographer will have the opportunity to encounter during a trip to Chobe National Park.
Whether you stay for one night or make it a longer experience, you will have a fantastic time.
