Chobe National Park

"Picture it: Seasonal floodwaters rolling into parched sands and transforming them into a delicate tracery of glittering rivers and channels—the dry plains once again dripping with new life. That's the scene that greets you at the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the world's largest inland river delta. It plays host to a wide variety of wildlife, thriving across great swathes of the land held by the Moremi Game Reserve. You may encounter safari lions, leopards, giraffes, and rhinos; and when the floodwaters quench the land, you'll paddle in canoes past hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. In the summer (that's January and February in Botswana, given it's the southern hemisphere), rainfall from the Angola highlands is drained by the Okavango River into the delta, where the water levels will rise and fall over the next four months, from March through June, making this month the best time to see the transformation happen before your very eyes. Looking for a place to stay? African Bush Camps opened the riverside Khwai Lediba in 2023, and will open Atzaro Okavango in March 2024. The latter will feature 10 lagoon-side suites and offer peak safari-luxe vibes and a strong sense of place through design. (To no surprise, it's one of the Best Places to Go in Africa in 2024.)" - Matt Ortile, Caitlin Morton

"A major river in Botswana, known for its abundant wildlife and as a starting point for the longest-known land mammal migration of Burchell’s zebra." - Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer covering culture and adventure for Travel + Leisure Outside, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

"Known for its massive elephant herds and abundant lion sightings, making it a prime location for wildlife viewing. The film by Tyler Fairbank includes many scenes from this park, showcasing its diverse wildlife." - Travel + Leisure Editors