What it is
About 14,600 km2 of Kalahari sand, teak woodland and open pans on the Botswana border, two hours by road from Victoria Falls. There is no permanent river. In the dry months much of the park's water comes from boreholes pumped by conservation trusts and lodges.
Why go
Elephants in very large numbers, plus lion, buffalo, sable and roan antelope and a reasonable chance of wild dog. Because the water is pumped and predictable, you can sit at a pan or in a sunken hide and let the animals come to you rather than driving for them, which is a different kind of day.
When to go
August to October, when the pans are the only water and the herds queue for it. It is hot by then. From December to March the bush greens, the animals spread out and the sandy roads get difficult. June and July mornings are below 5C in an open vehicle, so bring more than you think.
Most people stay 3 nights.