Apr
10
2012
The Chobe National Park
The Chobe National Park covers an area of over 10,000 square kilometres of some of the richest wildlife habitats and it is one of the biggest national park in Botswana after the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The abundance of wildlife which includes, most famously, the huge families of Chobe elephant make this area of Botswana one of the most superb safari experiences and never to be forgotten.
The Chobe National Park has four completely different habitats that range from dry scrubland and mopane forest, to marshlands and rivers each creating a varied selection of attractive unique game locations. Because of the diversity and extreme contrasts of these habitats the Chobe National Park offers a diverse range of wildlife encounters within the boundaries of just one park. The varieties of lush vegetation and interesting geological aspects that exist in the park have created an almost tropical habitat within the Linyanti swamp that becomes the harsh near desert-like expanse of the Savuti.
The area gained its protected status of a non-hunting zone back in 1931, steadily increasing over the next two years until it covered some 31,600 square kilometres. However, over the following two decades the park suffered with an onslaught of tsetse fly and in 1957 the area was reviewed, continually reducing the size of it. Eventually, in 1967, the region was officially reborn as Chobe National Park, the inaugrual national park within the now independent Botswana and further reviews and fluctuations in size resulted in the area is covers today.
One of the most popular areas of the park to visit is the riverfront with its lush plains and dense forests. This large riverside area, along the northern border of the park, is famous for the large herds of elephants that congregate here together with good numbers of hippo, buffalo, warthog and zebra as well as kudu and sable. A leisurely river cruise through this area gives a unique perspective from which to enjoy watching the wildlife and the marshy floodplain is where you would be most likely to catch sightings of red lechwe and puku. The optimum time to enjoy this area would be to visit between June and October.
The Madabe Depression, a huge hollow that was once an ancient lake, and the area of Savuti that lies within it also has a superb density of wildlife and excellent game viewing, particularly during the months of November to May. To the north west of Savuti there is a rich wetland area called the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
For those that are totally in love with all things elephant, Botswana’s Chobe National Park is an absolute must because of the large elephant population resident here. Elephant families found in the Chobe National Park are flourishing and currently are in excess of 120,000. These Chobe elephant are migratory in nature with their seasonal movements covering an area of up to 200 kilometres. Annually they journey from the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers, a sustained water source, where they have been in concentrations during the dry season, south eastwards where they disperse during the rainy season.
For wildlife enthusiasts The Chobe National Park works excellently with a few days on safari in the Okavango Delta concluding with a relaxed sojourn at one of the romantic lodges close to the Victoria Falls area of Zambia, delivering a wonderfully, authentic African safari experience.
If going on a African safari is something you’ve always dreamed of, why not pay us a visit at http://www.opulentafrica.com. We can tailor make the perfect African safari vacation to make your dreams come true!
Apr
5
2012
Explore Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, though it also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, and is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser, one of the most popular features in the park. It has many types of ecosystems, but the subalpine forest is dominant.
Here are highlights of one special visit I shared with a friend in this amazing National Park.
Old Faithful & Lower Geyser Basin
Sixty percent of the geysers in the world are located in Yellowstone National Park with Old Faithful, the worlds most famous geyser, a must see.
We spent time in the Lower Geyser Basin where colorful geysers and hydro thermal activity can be viewed while strolling along a boardwalk. Plan to spend time viewing these incredibly unique geysers on your visit!
Firehole Canyon
Drive Head north from Old Faithful and enjoy a scenic side road along the Firehole River and views of the 40-foot Firehole Falls. Wildlife may surprise you along with the beauty of this protected environment.
Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley was a favorite place of ours to view bison, listen to the call of the coyotes and watch the birds.
The valley is enchanting and peaceful, yet becomes frightfully exciting as you find yourself in the path of buffalo! To get to Hayden Valley head to the middle of the park above Bridge Bay.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
From Hayden Valley, we headed north to view the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This Canyon is about 20 miles long of stunning views. We hiked Uncle Tom’s trail consisting of 300 stairs and a steep elevation change of 500 feet. If you are up for this hike, the spectacular view of the Lower Falls is well worth the adventure and views.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone lake, with it is 141 miles of shoreline, is the largest freshwater lake at an elevation above 7,000 feet. Drive and view the Lake in the southern part of the park.
Your Outside Adventure Guide, Reviews & Articles
http://www.outsideadventureguide.com/
Visit for more stunning pictures of Yellowstone National Park and information on Jackson Hole in Wyoming.