The Elephants of Chobe: River Crossing

The dilemma: One large herd of Elephants who want to be on the other side of a wide river in Chobe National Park where there are relaxing mud baths and plenty of fresh grasslands to explore and feed amongst. How will they get over there?

African Elephants Chobe NP River Crossing Botswana — We want to get over that river

Elephants don’t mess about and the solution was simple. Just get the entire herd to swim across the river using their trunks as snorkels when ever the water gets too deep!

Elephants crossing river in Chobe NP Botswana — OK in we go

Now this is not necessarily an easy decision to make as it is a river not without dangers. Big Crocodiles lurk on the river’s edge and with young Elephants in tow there is an element of risk for them.

A Nile Crocodile on the rivers edge in Chobe NP — A big Nile Crocodile on the river’s edge in Chobe NP (the second largest living reptile after the saltwater crocodile)

As I sat in a boat in the very river they crossed, I could not help but be amazed at the spectacle that unfolded before me. This is why you come to Africa, to see the wildlife but you never expect them to put on such a grand show!