Lying on the border between Namibia and Botswana, the Chobe River is one of Africa's finest wildlife photographic destinations with teaming herds of wildlife and a matching diversity of bird species being on offer. Large herds of African Elephant and Cape Buffaloes swim across the crocodile infested river during the dry winter months on a daily basis to reach the lush grass covered islands.
As a birding destination, the Chobe lies at the intersection between southern African species and those emanating from the tropics. Many specials such as Rock Pratincole, Coppery-Tailed Coucal, Hartlaubs Babbler and African Skimmer may be found in good numbers and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Storks and herons of many species hunt in the shallow waters alongside kingfishers and as African Fish Eagles and colourful Carmine Bee-Eaters grace the skies.
From a photographic perspective the best way to see and photograph the Chobe is undoubtedly to join Pangolin Safari’s on one of their photographic packages. They have specially designed photographic boats and also provide the opportunity to hire photographic gear. The guides know the river intimately and therefore take one immediately to the best photographic locations. Below are a small selection of images from a recent visit that I undertook to the Chobe.
1 of 12: African Jacana on the back of a hippo.
2 of 12: African Elephant covered in water from swimming across the Chobe River.
3 of 12: A bachelor herd of Red Lechwe.
4 of 12: An African Spoonbill searches for food along the lush banks of the Chobe River.
5 of 12: A Cape Buffalo swims from the mainland to one of the islands in the Chobe River were lush grasses are still in abundance.
6 of 12: A Rock Pratincole suns itself in the early morning light. The Chobe is one of the best places to view this highly sought after species.
7 of 12: A 4m Nile Crocodile feeds on the remains of a Red Lechwe.
8 of 12: A Carmine Bee-Eater takes off from a perch to catch a flying insect.
9 of 12: The Chobe River has dense populations of Hippo that spend the day lazing in the shallows.
10 of 12: A pair of White-Throated Swallows perches on a dead tree stump in the Chobe River.
11 of 12: A Water Monitor-Lizard searches for prey amongst the water-logged islands of the Chobe River.
12 of 12: Sunset reflects on the rippled waters of the Chobe River.
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