Chobe National Park day trip: River safari & game drive

4x4 safari in the park hunting for cats and elephants after lunch

A full-day tour from Livingstone to Chobe National Park in Botswana combines a morning river safari on the Chobe River and Sedudu Island, a five-course buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge, and an afternoon game drive into the park in an open vehicle. Hotel pickup is included from Livingstone lodges. The 45–60 minute road transfer crosses the border into Botswana with a guide who meets you at the post. Minimum age is 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe National Park day trip

• Pick up from lodge or hotel
• Road transfer to border post
• Complete immigration process
• Transfer to Chobe Safari Lodge
• Morning river safari cruise
• Enjoy five course buffet lunch
• Afternoon game drive in 4x4 vehicle

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Livingstone hotel, then a road transfer to the Botswana border. You'll go through immigration at the crossing, where a Botswana guide meets you and takes you to Chobe Safari Lodge. From there, the morning river safari cruise launches on the Chobe River, where you watch wildlife from the water along the riverbanks and around Sedudu Island. The river gives you sightlines the land cannot reach: animals come to drink and wade in the shallows, and the boat lets you stay level with them.

After the cruise, a five-course buffet lunch waits at the lodge. Once you've eaten, you board an open 4x4 for the afternoon game drive, which heads into Chobe National Park itself. The vehicle's open sides and raised seating let you scan the bush for the park's elephants and big cats. The game drive runs deeper than the river route, moving through the landscape where the animals shelter during the heat of the day.

The tour runs 7 to 18 hours depending on wildlife sightings and your lodge location. Bottled water is provided throughout. A live English-speaking guide leads the whole day. All areas are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from your Livingstone lodge.
• road transfer to and from the Botswana border.
• morning river safari cruise on the Chobe River and around Sedudu Island.
• five-course buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• afternoon game drive into Chobe National Park in an open 4x4 vehicle.
• entry to Chobe National Park.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• live English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

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 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arnolubi Safaris & Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want both water and land-based wildlife viewing in a single day: the river safari and the game drive each reach animals the other cannot. The full-day format (7 to 18 hours) means you'll spend real time in the park rather than rushing through it, though the length depends on how far your lodge sits from the border and how long the guide spends tracking wildlife.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Chobe River safari actually like compared to the game drive?

The morning river safari on the Chobe River and around Sedudu Island lets you watch wildlife from the water as animals come to drink at the banks. The afternoon game drive takes you into Chobe National Park itself in an open 4x4, where the vehicle moves through the bush to find elephants and big cats in their daytime shelter.

How long is the drive from Livingstone to the border?

The road transfer to the border takes 45 to 60 minutes from your Livingstone hotel. You'll pass through immigration at the crossing, where your Botswana guide meets you and takes you to Chobe Safari Lodge to begin the river safari.

Is lunch included, and what's served?

Yes, a five-course buffet lunch is served at Chobe Safari Lodge after the morning river safari. You have time to sit and relax before the afternoon game drive begins.

Do I need a visa to cross into Botswana for this tour?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and are not arranged by the tour operator. Check your country's entry requirements for Botswana before booking.

What's the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 12 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day.