andBeyond Chobe Under Canvas

Home to some of Africa’s largest elephant herds, Chobe National Park is a landscape of dramatic contrasts where riverfront floodplains meet dense woodland and wildlife thrives along the life-giving Chobe River. As Botswana’s first and most iconic national park, it offers exceptional game viewing in one of Southern Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations. Set in the northern reaches of the park near the famed Chobe River, Chobe Under Canvas is a semi-permanent, intimate safari camp that places guests at the heart of this extraordinary wilderness. Set on private, semi-permanent campsites, the camp relocates every five to six days to follow the rhythm of the wild – offering guests both exceptional access to wildlife and a rare sense of seclusion. Each campsite is carefully chosen for its remoteness and proximity to the river, ensuring immersive game viewing right from camp. With wildlife paths weaving past the tents and herds of elephant and buffalo moving through the landscape, the experience is immersive, raw and deeply connected to nature.

With just five canvas tents, Chobe Under Canvas delivers a refined yet stripped-back safari where five-star comfort exists in harmony with the wild. Each tent features a comfortable bed, an en-suite bathroom with a separate flushing toilet and an indoor bucket shower with hot water on request. Private butler service, handcrafted details and softly glowing lanterns create an atmosphere that is both thoughtful and effortless, while mesh windows invite in the breeze and the sounds of birdsong at dawn. Twice-daily game drives explore predator-rich terrain, revealing elephants in vast numbers, lion and leopard on the move, and prolific birdlife throughout the year. Guests can also embark on a photographic river safari aboard the custom-designed Pangolin Voyager, complete with 360-degree swivel chairs and camera mounts, offering a unique perspective on Chobe’s riverfront wildlife.

Life at camp follows an unhurried rhythm, encouraging guests to disconnect from distraction and reconnect with the essentials. Evenings begin beside the fire and often end under a sky thick with stars, with freshly prepared meals cooked over open flames and shared in the open air. Storytelling flows easily, second helpings are encouraged, and the soundtrack is provided by the surrounding wilderness. This is luxury pared back to what truly matters - restorative sleep, warm water, intuitive service and meaningful moments in nature. Chobe Under Canvas offers an authentic Chobe National Park safari experience where comfort is present but never overshadows the wild, and where every quiet, unscripted moment lingers long after you leave.

About Chobe National Park

When you visit the Chobe National Park, you will never forget the first glimpse of the dazzling, deep blue Chobe River, as it winds its way through sandy terrain, small towns, lush floodplains, dense forests of cathedral mopane trees, and endless broadleaf woodlands. The park is named after this majestic river that protects 10.700 km² of the northern Kalahari desert, providing ensuing wilderness and a game density that is steadily remarkable.

Famed for its massive elephant populations, big herds of buffalo (matched only by some large lion prides) and incredible birdlife, Chobe National Park will leave an everlasting memory. Where else can you find such an amazing riverfront, with bustling wildlife, undisturbed predators, heavenly landscapes and tranquil lodges? The most accessible area of the park is the Chobe Riverfront, this is also where you will find the largest concentration of wildlife. For a more predator-rich area: head off to Linyanti Marshes. Or nourish your soul in the remote Savuti area. Wherever you go in this park, wildlife encounters are plentiful and all of Chobe feels like true wilderness. It is a place that can be enjoyed by everyone: couples, families and seasoned Africa travellers.

We will explain more about the different areas below. But first, a little bit about the history of this special place.

The original inhabitants of Chobe were the Bushmen, followed by the – impressively named – Hambukushu, Bayei and Basubiya. In the 1850s, locals saw explorer David Livingstone passing through the area on his way to the Victoria Falls (a little over an hour away from Chobe National Park), and some big-game hunters seeking trophies and ivory. Luckily, for all the flora and fauna of this unique land, the area was first protected as a game reserve in 1961 and proclaimed as a national park in 1968.

Up to this day, the game density remains exceptional. You will be forced to halt frequently because a parade of wildlife wants to pass by. Much better than stopping for a red light in traffic, right? Moderating the number of visitors to the park keeps it from feeling ‘too busy’, adding to the remote and exclusive Chobe safari experience.