That's the tail end of the rainy season.
Chobe is at its best (defined as "lots of animals" in this instance) at the end of the dry season (October/November) when animals frequent the river to drink in large numbers.
Hwange lacks a large perennial river, instead the animals drink at the (pumped) waterholes and pans when it is dry.
At the end of the wet season (on the assumption that it has actually been a wet one) the animals are spread out, the bush lush and green. Harder to find, harder to see. This goes for both Chobe and Hwange.
You by and large get the same range of species in both reserves.
From looking at imagines of two places on Google, it appears as if Hwange is better.
I struggle to understand how Google images and Google maps can lead you to the conclusion that Hwange is the better safari destination.
As it happens, I do agree with that conclusion, for reasons that may or may not matter to you.
In Chobe, the lodges are all concentrated along the riverfront; the river itself is at times packed with watercraft of all sizes and shapes; game drives focus on the river as well; and the road network does too. Chobe can get very busy.
In Hwange, on the other hand, the lodges and rest camps are more spread out, and it is generally quieter. The lodges on private concessions also have exclusive traversing rights.
I would pick Hwange, but I'm not a typical safari goer, in the sense that I do not necessarily want or need to see as many animals as possible in a short time. Been there, done that.
Johan
Last edited by johan rebel; Feb 10, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Reason: various typos