Chobe National Park Safari: River & Game Drive

A river safari comes before the game drive, not after. The Chobe River is where you see the elephants first.

A full-day tour from Livingstone crosses into Botswana for a morning river safari on the Chobe River, lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge, and an afternoon game drive through Chobe National Park. Pickup starts at 7am from your lodging, and a guide in English leads both the boat and the vehicle portions. Children from age 6 are welcome. The tour suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe River Safari and Game Drive

• Pick up from Livingstone lodge
• Drive to Kazungula Border
• Cross border to Botswana
• Meet Botswanan guide
• Take 2-hour river safari on Chobe River
• Enjoy buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge
• Embark on 4-hour game drive in Chobe National Park
• Return transfer to Livingstone lodge

The experience

The day starts with a 7am pickup from your hotel or lodge in Livingstone for a short drive to Kazungula Border. After crossing into Botswana and clearing immigration, your guide meets you on the other side and takes you straight to the Chobe River for a two-hour cruise. The river is known for its elephant and lion population. You'll watch them from the water and along the banks, spotting Cape buffalo, antelopes and other wildlife at close range. The open-sided boat lets you see in all directions without obstruction.

Lunch is a fresh buffet with several options, served at Chobe Safari Lodge on the riverbank. After eating, you switch to an open-sided game drive vehicle for four hours in the national park. The vehicle's design gives you 360-degree views across the landscape, and refreshments are served throughout to keep you cool. Elephants, lions, buffalo and antelopes move through the park in numbers that make the afternoon feel less like watching wildlife and more like moving through it. At the end of the day, you're driven back across the border and returned to your lodging in Livingstone.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Livingstone hotel or lodge at 7am and return transfer.
• two-hour river safari on the Chobe River with a guide in English.
• four-hour game drive in Chobe National Park in an open-sided vehicle.
• lunch buffet at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the border crossing and transfers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 48 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mavumina Safaris And Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, so the commentary is accessible throughout the day. The fixed schedule (river safari in the morning, lunch at midday, game drive in the afternoon) means you're back at your lodging by evening, making this a complete day that fits easily into a multi-day trip.

Traveler reviews

4.85★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

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 wildlife will I actually see on the Chobe River safari and game drive?

Elephants and lions are the signature sightings on both the river and the game drive. The Chobe River is famous for its elephant population, and you'll also see Cape buffalo, antelopes and other species throughout the day. The open-sided boat and vehicle give you unobstructed views across water and land.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the border, or is pickup included?

Pickup is included. Your hotel or lodge in Livingstone is where the day starts at 7am, and you're driven to Kazungula Border for the crossing into Botswana. The return transfer back to your lodging is also part of the tour.

What's included in the lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge?

Lunch is a fresh buffet with several options, served at the lodge on the riverbank. Bottled water and snacks are provided throughout the day as well.

How long is the river safari and how long is the game drive?

The river safari lasts two hours in the morning. After lunch, the game drive takes four hours in the afternoon. The full day from pickup to return is seven hours.