Wild Camping in Botswana

A Night in Chobe National Park I’ll Never Forget

In January 2025, I had an experience that still fills me with excitement whenever I think about it: a night of wild camping in Botswana’s Chobe National Park. I had only booked the safari a day earlier, yet everything about this adventure felt wonderfully spontaneous — especially because of a chance encounter I never saw coming.

A Chance Meeting at Jolly Boys Backpackers

At Jolly Boys Backpackers in Livingstone, where I was volunteering at the time, I met a group of kayakers. They spent almost every day training on the Zambezi, always out on the water, always moving. For the safari, however, they had decided to take a two-day break.

We got talking, and out of nowhere they asked me if I wanted to join them.I didn’t need a second to think — I was in, and absolutely thrilled.

Crossing Into Botswana & Starting With a Boat Safari

The next morning, we left Jolly Boys and drove about 1 hour and 10 minutes to the Botswana border. Our guide, Phillimon from Homeland Safaris, was already waiting for us.

And almost immediately, the adventure began.

Before even entering the deep bush, we boarded a boat for our first activity:a boat safari on the Chobe River — still within Chobe National Park.

From the water, the park revealed its wild heart instantly. Elephants wandered along the riverbanks, hippos bobbed between reeds, crocodiles sunbathed on the sandbanks, and birds in every size and color filled the sky. The calm flow of the river contrasted beautifully with the intensity of the wildlife around us. It was the ideal beginning to what would become an unforgettable trip.

Into the Bush – Game Drive on the Way to Camp

After the boat safari, we switched into our safari vehicle. From the border area it was only about 20 minutes to the park entrance — and right there, our first land safari began.

As we drove deeper into the park, the landscape opened up into vast, untouched wilderness. We spotted impalas and kudus, towering elephants and fresh lion tracks in the sand. Every kilometer revealed something new, and with every sighting the magic of Chobe grew stronger.

By the time we reached our campsite, I already felt incredibly connected to this wild, ancient landscape.

Dinner Over an Open Fire & Stories Under the Stars

That evening, Phillimon’s team cooked dinner over an open fire — simple, delicious, and perfect for the bush. Food just tastes better when you're surrounded by nature, laughing together and listening to the crackle of burning wood.

Afterwards we gathered around the bonfire, sharing stories as the African night sky stretched endlessly above us. The silence, the stars, the warmth of the flames — it was a moment of pure peace.

Sleeping in the Wild – Surprisingly Comfortable

Our camp was made up of sturdy tents, each with a surprising twist:Inside were raised platforms, about 20 cm off the ground, with soft mattresses and pillows. A simple setup — yet shockingly comfortable for sleeping in the wild.

The night was magical. Wrapped warmly in my sleeping bag, I drifted off to the sounds of real Africa: rustling grass, birds calling, crickets buzzing — and, if you listened closely, the distant roar of lions. The kind of sounds that give you chills in the best possible way.

Breakfast in the Open – With Elephants Around

At sunrise, we woke to a warm, hearty breakfast served right in the open. While sipping tea or coffee, we had to keep an eye out — an elephant could wander by at any moment.

There’s something powerful about being that close to wildlife, sharing the same space with such gentle giants. It’s humbling, grounding, and unforgettable.

Botswana, You Were Pure Magic

What started with a spontaneous invitation at a backpackers’ hostel turned into one of the most memorable wilderness experiences of my life.

A night in Chobe National Park, a fantastic team, wonderful people, and nature that reaches deep into your soul — that’s what made this adventure so special.

Homeland Safaris took excellent care of us, yet the feeling of being truly out in the wild never faded.

If you love adventure and want to experience Africa in the most authentic way, I can’t recommend this experience enough.Botswana in January 2025 — wild, real, and absolutely unforgettable.