The Northern Section of Chobe National Park is one of the most overrated parks in Africa in my unpretentious opinion. Kasane City is catered for the rich and famous tourists from all around the world. It leaves absolutely nothing to natural imagination.

Chobe National Park is very much a money scam. Overpriced entry fees, plus tour guide, plus vehicle cost a motza. Money Card machines are advertised on all gates but none of them work due to electricity and/or wifi failure.

One tourist lady from Germany was 15 pula short of the 270 + Pula entry fee she was charged. Otherwise, she only had two times 200 Pula notes. But there was no change at the gate. She had to either use the 400 pula and get no cash back or wasn’t allowed to enter. So what do you do? Travel around the world to get here and not pay extra to get into the national park?

How about a sunset cruise on the Chobe River? That sounds like fun and looks cruisy. Sitting on deck in a dickchair watching elephants and hippos quenching their thirst in steaming hot conditions. The top Pula you pay for the cruise doesn’t include visitor fees for the national park. Park entry fees are based on distance. In a nutshell, the further away you live, the more you pay.

Good for those who can afford an all-you-can-eat buffet for 50 $ per person, watching the sunset over the Chobe River Plains. Or whatever grass is left during this severe drought. This just isn’t my world.

My world lies under the stars, more than five. Car mobility and flexibility give you options. And I opted for an old favorite camp spot I discovered 6 years ago.

I stayed outside the western side of the National Park. The baobab tree still stood strong on top of this escarpment overlooking the grasslands. Thirsty elephants barked onto this baobab tree where water is stored.

Hopefully this outstanding tree, I called Elton John, is still standing on my next visit. It looks a bit touch and go.

Although no elephants were seen this time, overlooking the dry swamps towards Namibia’s Caprivi Strip holds breathtaking endless views.

Why would you want to camp in crowded, noisy dwellings?

The moon had passed its full circle a few days ago but shone strongly over the Chobe Plains.

The sunrises were spectacular as the moon was setting over Namibia.

The colors of the dawning duration are dazzling altogether. Rick did his best to explore the area mornings and evenings.

To get here from Kasane, I needed to traverse Chobe National Park on the A 33.

This is a National Highway that combines Botswana with Namibia into the Caprivi at Ngoma Bridge.

I needed to sign in and sign out on either side of the entry/exit gates but didn’t have to pay entry fees.

The wildlife sightings along this stretch of road were abundant and more than I anticipated to see.

Buffalo in particular was numerous.

A few lone old bulls were used to cars coming and going, which gave me a perfect opportunity for a few close-up photographs.

On another timeframe, I spotted a large herd trying to cross this busy highway. I stopped and pulled over in excitement.

The buffalo weren’t sure about my zebra-painted companion. It’s the heavy traffic that scares these timid giants.

No doubt they had a few close encounters with raging drivers.

Two dots are located under the buffalo’s eyes but look just like eyes from a distance.

Elephant families popped up at any given time.

The groups are smaller than the wandering herds covering long distances.

The stretch along this road appeared greener than foreseen.

Kudus and their impressive stags enjoyed the cooler temperatures under sheltering trees.

It was noticeably cooler here than towards the Chobe River.

It is unusual to see grown Kudu bulls in close proximity.

Towards the river, elephants tried to stay cool in the shade of burning hot sand.

The young ones in particular were suffering.

Finding shade wasn’t an easy task.

A larger herd used its energy resources to run towards the cooling waters of the Chobe River.

They were thirsty.

As were dozens of other groups I passed on this particular stretch.

It was a tug of war to get to or from the river into a shady spot. I was surrounded by exhausted animals.

River mud had already dried up into bizarre patterns.

From here it was even more obvious how little water this river currently holds.

The Chobe River runs into the mighty Zambezi River, which keeps this waterway partially wet.

But at least there still is water.

No one I spoke to saw any predators. The only carnivores I saw have worn feathers.

This little antelope was covered in vultures, and no cats dogs, or hyenas were seen anywhere near.

Two dead elephants lay in close proximity to one another. Both frames still had tusks. A dead giraffe lay across the path not far from here either.

Are there any lions here? Did they move to greener pastures?

Has anyone seen any predators in Chobe National Park?