​Birds – Chobe NP

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Botswana.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Botswana.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Botswana.

Chobe National Park is a great birding destination, with more than 450 species recorded. Boat trips on the river are excellent for checking off many waders and other waterbirds, especially from November to April when migratory species from Europe and North Africa are present. Photography can be very rewarding here because birds have become habituated to boats. A highlight on the river trips is the African fish eagle whose iconic call will be an enduring soundtrack to your visit. African skimmers gather on the sandbanks and flocks fly over the river, occasionally dipping in the water to feed.

Notable Birds in Chobe NP
› ‹
African fish eagle
Common
African skimmer
Common
Long-toed lapwing
Common
African spoonbill
Common
Squacco heron
Common

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

Facts & Figures

Birds in Chobe NP
Bird Species
450+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

Chobe is a great park for birding throughout the year, but the best months are from November to April. This is when migrants swoop into the park. Also during these months, many birds are breeding, and large colonies of waterbirds can be seen nesting on the sandbanks in the river. The best time for mammals, however, is in the dry months from April to October.

Want To Visit Chobe NP?

282 Chobe Safaris

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Chobe NP
Bird Species
450+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr