Chobe & Chobe River: Full Day Safari with Game Drive & Cruise

Chobe day trip blends river cruise wildlife and open savanna drives

You’ll cross from Livingstone into Botswana for a full day exploring Chobe by both boat and 4x4—with hotel pickup, border help, lunch and a local guide smoothing every step. Expect close-up views of elephants at the riverbank, time to watch hippos or lions if you’re lucky, and those long stretches of wild quiet that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Livingstone, all national park entry fees covered, bottled water and snacks along the way plus a buffet lunch between activities. You’ll have an experienced driver-guide throughout both river cruise and game drive before returning across the border in an air-conditioned vehicle.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Chobe National Park full day trip

• Pickup from hotel in Livingstone
• Drive 1 hour to Kazungula border
• Complete passport formalities at border
• Meet Botswana guide at border
• Drive to Botswana office for briefing
• Start morning game drive or river cruise
• Enjoy lunch break
• Afternoon game drive or river cruise
• Return to border for drop-off
• Drive back to Livingstone hotels

The Experience

We were barely awake when the van pulled up outside our place in Livingstone—honestly, I was still fumbling with my shoes. The road to Kazungula was quiet except for the odd goat wandering along the verge, and I kept thinking about how we’d be in Botswana soon. Crossing the new Kazungula bridge felt weirdly futuristic compared to everything else around; then came the border shuffle—stamps, smiles, that faint smell of dust and paperwork. Our Botswana guide, Tumi, met us just past immigration. She had this calm way of explaining things even as I panicked for a second about my passport (I always do). The Chobe day trip really starts there, right after you realize you’re standing in another country.

After a quick briefing at their little office in Kasane, we set off for the first part—our group started with the river cruise. The boat was low and open; you could feel the sun warming your knees but there was this cool breeze off the water. Hippos snorted somewhere close by—louder than I expected—and every so often an elephant would just appear at the bank like it had been waiting for us. Tumi pointed out a puku (never heard of it before), and Li laughed when I tried to say it in Setswana—definitely butchered it. There’s something about drifting along the Chobe River that makes you forget time; birds everywhere, water shimmering like tin foil.

Lunch back on land was a buffet—nothing fancy but after all that fresh air I ate more than usual. The afternoon game drive brought us into these wide open spaces where the light felt different somehow—almost gold? We saw zebra herds flicking their tails and one old buffalo who stared right through us like he’d seen too many tourists already. It’s strange how quiet it gets sometimes out there; not silence exactly, but this hush that settles over everyone when a lion moves through dry grass just meters away. I still think about that moment.

Top questions

How long is the Chobe day trip from Livingstone?

The tour lasts approximately 11 hours including transfers from Livingstone to Chobe and back.

Is lunch included on the Chobe safari?

Yes, a buffet lunch is included during your full day safari in Chobe.

Do I need a visa to cross from Zambia to Botswana?

You need a valid passport and are advised to get a Kaza Uni-Visa ($50) for easy re-entry between countries.

What animals can I see on this Chobe day trip?

You may see elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and more during both cruise and game drive.

Is pickup from my hotel in Livingstone included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Livingstone are included in your booking.

Are infants or wheelchairs accommodated on this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants can join with specialized seats available; wheelchair access is provided throughout.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickups begin around 07:00am from Livingstone hotels.

Is bottled water provided during the safari?

Bottled water is included along with snacks during your day trip activities.