Chobe's Sedudu-Ngoma route to open 24 hours as of April

Botswana’s environment and tourism ministry has announced its decision to keep the Sedudu-Ngoma transit route through Chobe National Park open 24 hours a day, effective 1 April.Many self-drive travellers from Namibia or Savuti enter through Ngoma Gate, drive to Kasane, and exit at Sedudu Gate.Chobe National Park, located in northern Botswana near the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia, is a major tourist attraction. The town of Kasane, situated near the park’s entrance, serves as the primary gateway for most visitors.Botswana's environment and tourism minister Wynter Mmolotsi recently told parliament that the restricted access through the Chobe National Park Sedudu-Ngoma transit route has limited public movement between Chobe West and Chobe East.He explained that entry into Chobe National Park is regulated by the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act of 1992 and the National Parks and Game Reserves Regulations of 2000, which set specific entry and exit times for national parks and game reserves.Currently, the park's operating hours range from 06:00 to 18:30 between 1 April and 30 September and from 05:30 to 19:00 between 1 October and 31 March.Security concerns The minister emphasised the importance of considering security and human-wildlife safety concerns that shaped the operating hours.Mmolotsi said the Chobe National Park's proximity to three international borders makes it vulnerable to cross-border wildlife crimes.“The proximity of the park to international boundaries made law enforcement a considerable challenge that needed operational space, particularly at night when poachers were most active to avoid accidents.”He emphasised that the park boasts rich biodiversity, hosting the highest concentration of elephants along with significant populations of buffalo, zebra, sable, and roan antelope, among others.This increases the risk of collisions with wildlife at night, as animals frequently cross the road between their grazing areas and the Chobe River.He said the ministry will put in place measures to facilitate free movement of people while minimising risks associated with this initiative.

Chobe's Sedudu-Ngoma route to open 24 hours as of April

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-26

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Chobe's Sedudu-Ngoma route to open 24 hours as of April

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-26

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