Chobe National Park day trip: Game drive & river cruise

See elephants and buffalo on land, then spot hippos and crocodiles from the water

A full-day Chobe National Park tour from Livingstone combines a morning game drive through the reserve with an afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River, both led by a live guide. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, eat lunch between the two activities, and return to Livingstone by evening. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe National Park and River Cruise

• Morning game drive in Chobe Park
• Lunch break
• Afternoon boat cruise on Chobe River

The experience

The day splits into two distinct wildlife experiences. A morning game drive takes you into Chobe National Park in an air-conditioned vehicle, where the guide navigates the reserve roads looking for elephants, buffalo, lions and other large animals that move through the landscape. After the drive ends, you break for lunch before heading to the river for the afternoon portion.

The boat cruise on the Chobe River runs in the late afternoon, when animals come to the water to drink. Hippos, crocodiles, warthogs and water birds are common sightings from the boat. The river forms the border between Zambia and Botswana, and the cruise gives you a different vantage point on the wildlife and the landscape than the morning drive provided. The full day runs 6 to 7 hours from pickup to return.

Guides speak English, Spanish, Italian, French and German, so you can book in the language you're most comfortable with. Pickup from your Livingstone accommodation is included. The tour welcomes children from age 3, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with younger children. All areas are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to Chobe National Park.
• morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise.
• lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian, French or German.
• pickup from your Livingstone accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDeparts at 06:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 45 years) · Senior (60 to 70 years) · Youth (10 to 11 years) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years): free · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 1

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Brown L B Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?If your group speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or German, you'll follow the guide's commentary throughout the day without translation delays. The fixed schedule (morning drive, lunch, afternoon cruise) fits the full experience into a single day from Livingstone, so you don't need to arrange separate transport or coordinate timing between activities.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 11 years); Child (6 to 9 years); Infant (3 to 5 years): free. Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I likely to see on the game drive in Chobe National Park?

Chobe National Park is known for large elephant herds, along with buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras and various antelope species. The animals you encounter depend on the season and where the guide finds them on the day you visit.

Why is the afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River different from the morning game drive?

The boat cruise puts you on the water at the time when animals come down to drink, giving you close views of hippos, crocodiles and water birds from a different angle than the vehicle allows. Many travelers see species from the boat they missed during the drive.

Can I bring my three-year-old on this tour?

Children from age 3 are welcome. Specialized infant seats are available if you're bringing younger children, and infants can sit on an adult's lap during the vehicle portions.