Chobe is open year-round, and wildlife viewing is worthwhile in every month. The key variable is the distribution of animals between the dry interior and the permanent water sources.
May to October is the dry season — the best time for game viewing. As the interior pans and seasonal pools dry up, animals concentrate along the Chobe River and in the Savuti marsh. Elephant densities on the river waterfront in September and October are extraordinary. The weather is dry and mostly clear; nights are cold (May–July), warming to pleasant by October.
November to April is the wet season. Rain brings new growth and disperses animals across the park; game viewing requires more effort, but the scenery is lush and green. Migratory bird species arrive, making it excellent for birding. The interior tracks become impassable in heavy rains. The Savuti area can be unreachable by road in February–March.
December to February is the peak wet season. Temperatures are high (35°C+), afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, and some tracks are closed. The park is quiet, lodges are cheaper, and the vegetation is extraordinary — but it is not the optimal time for game drives. Boat safaris remain excellent.
For most visitors combining Chobe with Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta, the dry season (July–October) is the obvious choice. December–February offers significant savings on lodge rates for those specifically interested in the wet-season character of the park.