&Beyond Chobe Under Canvas
- Miles Willis
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Chobe Under Canvas: A Luxury Safari Experience with &Beyond
When you think of an African safari, a few destinations immediately rise to the top: the Serengeti, the Okavango Delta, and, without a doubt, Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Known for its immense elephant herds, dramatic riverfront scenery, and predator-rich landscapes, Chobe offers one of Africa’s most exhilarating safari experiences. And for those who crave luxury while staying close to nature, &Beyond Chobe Under Canvas provides the perfect balance.
This is not a typical lodge. Instead, it is a luxury mobile tented camp, pitched in exclusive sites inside Chobe National Park. The camp moves seasonally to follow the wildlife, ensuring guests are always at the heart of the action. Think canvas safari tents with king-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets, hot bucket showers, and elegant touches that make the wild feel wonderfully indulgent.
The Allure of Chobe National Park
Spanning almost 11,700 square kilometres, Chobe is home to Africa’s largest concentration of elephants — some 120,000 of them. They gather along the Chobe River, especially in the dry season, creating unforgettable scenes of vast herds drinking, bathing, and socialising at the water’s edge. Beyond elephants, the park is teeming with buffalo, giraffe, sable, and over 450 bird species. Predator sightings are also common, with lions, leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas all thriving in the area.
Chobe is divided into different ecosystems, from lush floodplains and riverfront to woodland and savannah, making each game drive a new adventure. This diversity, coupled with the density of wildlife, makes it one of Africa’s top safari destinations — and the ideal setting for a luxury mobile camp.
The Concept of “Under Canvas”
&Beyond’s “Under Canvas” concept is about bringing guests as close as possible to nature without sacrificing comfort. The camp consists of just five safari tents, ensuring an intimate and exclusive experience. Each tent is spacious, with proper beds, crisp linens, solar lighting, and ensuite bathrooms featuring hot bucket showers prepared on request.
At night, the sounds of the African bush replace the hum of air conditioners: lions roaring in the distance, hippos grunting by the river, and birds greeting the dawn. Despite the rustic setting, the service is unmistakably five-star. Personal butlers, freshly prepared meals, and expert safari guides make this an experience that blends adventure with luxury.
Meals are often served al fresco, under the shade of trees or by lantern light in the evenings. Freshly baked bread, gourmet bush dinners, and chilled sundowner drinks are part of the rhythm of life here. It’s luxury with a soul — refined, yet deeply connected to the wilderness around you.
The Game Drives: Front Row to Nature’s Drama
Guests at Chobe Under Canvas enjoy twice-daily game drives in customised 4x4 safari vehicles. Early mornings are perfect for catching predators on the move, while afternoons often end with sundowners along the Chobe River as herds of elephants drift across the floodplains.
The guides are a standout feature of the &Beyond experience. Their knowledge of the park’s wildlife, behaviour, and ecology is unmatched. They know how to position the vehicle for the best photographic angles and ensure that every drive is filled with learning as well as excitement. For bird enthusiasts, Chobe is a dream, with everything from carmine bee-eaters to fish eagles filling the skies.
During certain seasons, boat cruises on the Chobe River can be added, offering a completely different perspective. From the water, you can watch elephants crossing in front of you, crocodiles sunning themselves on sandbanks, and hippos wallowing in pods. The variety of safari activities ensures there’s never a dull moment.
Luxury in the Wild
What sets Chobe Under Canvas apart is how it delivers luxury in one of Africa’s wildest settings. This is not about opulent chandeliers or marble bathrooms. Instead, it’s about authentic, thoughtful touches: steaming hot showers after a dusty game drive, fine wines paired with freshly prepared meals, and the sheer comfort of a plush bed in the middle of the bush.
Every detail has been designed to make guests feel at ease while still immersed in raw nature. There are no fences here — wildlife roams freely around the camp. It’s common to hear elephants feeding nearby at night or to find fresh tracks in the morning sand. For many travellers, this closeness to the wild is what makes the experience so unforgettable.
Who Should Choose Chobe Under Canvas?
Chobe Under Canvas is ideal for luxury safari travellers who value authenticity. It’s perfect for couples seeking romance under the stars, seasoned safari-goers looking for something more immersive than a traditional lodge, and adventurous families with older children who want to truly connect with nature.
It appeals to those who want exclusivity — just five tents means you’ll never feel part of a crowd. It’s also a brilliant choice for photographers, thanks to the incredible wildlife density and guides who know how to create the perfect shot opportunities.
Practicalities: When to Go
Chobe is a year-round safari destination, but the experience shifts with the seasons.
Dry Season (May – October): The best time for elephant viewing as herds gather along the river. Wildlife sightings are at their peak, and the weather is cooler and drier.
Wet Season (November – April): The park transforms into a lush green wonderland. This is the best time for birdwatching, and for seeing young animals. Afternoon thunderstorms add drama to the skies.
Whichever season you choose, the &Beyond team ensures your camp is located in prime wildlife areas.
The &Beyond Difference
Part of what makes this experience so exceptional is &Beyond’s ethos of conservation and community. By staying at Chobe Under Canvas, you contribute to protecting the park’s wildlife and supporting local communities through employment and training. The company’s model of “Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, Care of the People” underpins everything they do, meaning your luxury safari has a positive impact beyond your own journey.
Final Thoughts
&Beyond Chobe Under Canvas is more than just a safari camp — it’s a way of experiencing the African wilderness as it was meant to be: raw, wild, yet undeniably luxurious. Imagine sipping a sundowner as elephants wade across the Chobe River, dining under lanterns while lions roar in the distance, or drifting off to sleep under canvas with the Milky Way blazing overhead.
For the luxury safari traveller, this is the essence of Botswana: intimate, exclusive, and unforgettable. Chobe Under Canvas is not about escaping the wild, but about embracing it — in comfort and style.
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