Close to where the countries of Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet lies the Chobe River that has to be the heart of one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. It is where herds of African elephant and Cape buffalos swim between pods of hippos and massive Nile crocodiles to reach the islands where they feed amongst grazing red lechwe’s and waterbuck on the lush green grasslands that are sustained by the life-flow of the river. Birdlife is prolific and varies from the colorful bee-eaters and kingfishers through to larger storks, egrets and herons, while the majestic African fish eagle is a common sight. African skimmers and rock pratincoles, that are highly sought after by birders, return each year to breed when water levels are at their lowest. With all of the diversity of life, the Chobe River provides an endless opportunity of wildlife photography and time spent on the river will definitely refresh the soul and bring the yearning to return again.
1 of 14: A massive four-meter Nile Crocodile feeds on the remains of a Red Lechwe that it has stashed in a quite backwater of the Chobe River
2 of 14: An alert water monitor lizard hunts through waterlogged vegetation on one of the many small islands of the Chobe River
3 of 14: A Hippo raises its head high out of the water as a dominant bull chases it out of the family pod
4 of 14: An African Elephant bull crossing the Chobe River after sunset
5 of 14: A bachelor herd of Red Lechwe pause from feeding on one of the lush grassy islands in the Chobe River
6 of 14: A Cape Buffalo bull covered in mud feeds on water lilies growing in the shallows of the Chobe River
7 of 14: An African Openbill comes into land near a herd of elephants after sunset
8 of 14: An African Spoonbill yawns while feeding in the shallows of the Chobe River
9 of 14: The Chobe River is one of the best places to view African Skimmers that return to breed on exposed sandbanks of the Chobe River during the late winter months when water levels are at their lowest
10 of 14: An adult Yellow-Billed Stork flares its wings and extends its legs as it comes into land at its nesting colony
11 of 14: An African Openbill clearly showing the gap in its bill from where it gets its name
12 of 14: Small flocks of Rock Pratincoles may be viewed on the rocky outcrops amongst the rapids of the Chobe River
13 of 14: Carmine Bee-Eater flocks are a common sighting over the Chobe River and within the Chobe National Park
14 of 14: The orange glow of the sun reflects on the rippled waters of the Chobe River