Chobe National Park Safari: Game Drive & River Cruise
Open 4x4 vehicle tracking lions and giraffes across Chobe's diverse terrain
A full-day safari from Livingstone pairs a morning cruise on the Chobe River with an afternoon game drive through Chobe National Park in Botswana, led by expert local guides in an open vehicle. You'll watch elephants at the water's edge, spot hippos and birds from the boat, eat a buffet lunch at a riverside lodge, then track lions, giraffes, buffalo and antelope across the park's grasslands and woodland. Hotel pickup and immigration help are included.
Step-by-step itinerary
Full day safari and river cruise
- Morning cruise on Chobe River
- Buffet lunch by the river
- Afternoon guided game drive
What’s included
- Private transportation from your hotel.
- snacks throughout the day.
- bottled water all day.
- a delicious buffet lunch at a riverside lodge with panoramic views of the river and surrounding wilderness.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Information
Full-day safari from Livingstone combines a morning boat cruise on the Chobe River watching elephants and hippos.
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The experience
The day starts on the Chobe River at dawn, when animals gather to drink and bathe. From the boat you watch elephants splash in the shallows, hippos surface and submerge, and birds wheel overhead: all at close range and framed for photos. The river is where Chobe's 50,000 elephants come to cool off, and the morning light catches them clearly against the water. After two hours on the water, you return to a riverside lodge for a buffet lunch with views across the wilderness.
The afternoon game drive covers the park's open terrain in an open 4x4 vehicle with an expert guide who knows where to find lions, giraffes, buffalo, antelope and crocodiles. Chobe's ecosystem shifts between grassland and woodland, and the guide adjusts the route based on recent sightings and animal movement. You sit high enough to see across the landscape and photograph without a windshield in the way. The drive runs until late afternoon, when the light softens and animals are most active.
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Livingstone or Victoria Falls are handled. The operator manages border crossings into Botswana so you don't have to. You bring your own camera, binoculars and sunscreen. The tour runs ten hours door-to-door, with snacks and water provided throughout the day.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What animals will I see on the Chobe River boat cruise?
The Chobe River is where the park's large elephant population comes to drink and bathe, so you'll see them at close range from the boat. Hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds are also common along the water's edge, especially in the early morning when animals gather.
Is the game drive in a closed vehicle or open?
The afternoon game drive uses an open 4x4 vehicle, which gives you an unobstructed view and better light for photography. The guide drives across grassland and woodland terrain, tracking lions, giraffes, buffalo and antelope based on recent sightings.
How much time do I spend on the river versus driving?
The morning boat cruise lasts about two hours on the Chobe River. After lunch at the riverside lodge, the afternoon game drive takes up the rest of the day until late afternoon, when animals are most active and the light is best for viewing.
Do I need to arrange my own transport to the park, or is it included?
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Livingstone or Victoria Falls are included, and the operator handles immigration and border crossings into Botswana so you don't have to manage that yourself.
What should I bring for the safari?
Bring your own camera, binoculars, sunscreen and sunglasses. The operator provides snacks and bottled water throughout the day. Warm clothing or a sweater is useful for the early morning on the river when it can be cool.
Operated by Passionate Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 12 days ago
Chobe National Park Safari: Game Drive & River Cruise
10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 199 per person
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