Chobe National Park tour: Game drive & river safari

Elephants and lions across open savanna and water in a single day

A full-day tour from Livingstone combines a game drive and river safari in Chobe National Park, crossing the Kazungula border into Botswana. Hotel pickup starts around 7am, and you pass through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the drive to the border. After passport formalities at Kazungula, your guide meets you on the Botswana side for a briefing, then the day unfolds as either a game drive followed by river safari or the reverse. Both happen, the order depends on wildlife activity and conditions. The open-sided vehicle gives 360-degree views across terrain populated with elephants, Cape buffalo, lions and antelopes. A buffet lunch with several options waits at a lodge on the riverbank.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Parkpass by
2. Chobe National Park7h

Chobe National Park full day tour

• Hotel pickup around 07:00am
• Drive to Kazungula border
• Complete passport formalities
• Cross Kazungula Bridge into Botswana
• Briefing at Botswana office
• Game drive in Chobe National Park
• Buffet lunch at riverbank lodge
• River safari cruise on Chobe River
• Return journey from park

The experience

The tour runs ten hours total, starting with hotel pickup around 7am and a one-hour drive through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to reach the Kazungula border. You'll handle passport stamping for both Zambia and Botswana at the crossing, then cross the Kazungula Bridge into Botswana where your English-speaking guide meets you. After a briefing at the Botswana office, the day splits between a game drive through Chobe National Park and a river safari on the Chobe River: the guides decide the sequence based on where wildlife is active that day.

Chobe National Park holds one of Africa's largest wildlife concentrations. The open-sided vehicle lets you scan 360 degrees across the landscape for elephants, Cape buffalo, lions and antelopes. The river safari follows the Chobe River, famous for its elephant population. You'll watch them drink and wade from the water level. Lunch is a fresh buffet with several options served at a lodge on the riverbank, with time to rest before the return journey begins.

The tour includes air-conditioned transport, bottled water, coffee or tea, the game drive and boat cruise, lunch, and all fees and taxes. The last hour is reserved for the drive back to Livingstone. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Travelers under 18 need a birth certificate or a photo of one on their phone. A KAZA visa is required if your country needs one. Check before booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup around 7am.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
• game drive through Chobe National Park in an open-sided safari vehicle.
• river safari on the Chobe River.
• buffet lunch with several options at a riverside lodge.
• bottled water, coffee and tea.
• English-speaking guide.
• all park fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HSM Adventures Tours and Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both the game drive and river safari in one day. The ten-hour commitment with a 7am pickup and border crossing means you'll need an early start and full schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How long is the drive from Livingstone to Chobe National Park?

The drive from Livingstone to the Kazungula border takes about one hour, passing through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. After border formalities and crossing into Botswana, you reach Chobe National Park for the game drive and river safari.

What wildlife will I see in Chobe National Park?

Chobe National Park has one of Africa's largest wildlife populations. You'll have the chance to spot elephants, Cape buffalo, lions and antelopes from the open-sided vehicle during the game drive, and elephants along the Chobe River banks and in the water during the river safari.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, a fresh buffet lunch with several options is included, served at a lodge situated on the riverbank during the day.

What happens at the Kazungula border?

At Kazungula, you'll complete passport stamping and visa checks for both the Zambian and Botswana sides, then cross the Kazungula Bridge into Botswana. Your guide meets you on the Botswana side after you clear the border.

Will the guide decide the order of activities, or can I choose?

The guide decides whether to start with the game drive or the river safari based on wildlife activity and conditions that day. Both activities happen. The sequence changes to give you the best viewing opportunities.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup, the one-hour drive to the border, the game drive in Chobe National Park, the river safari on the Chobe River, lunch at the riverside lodge, bottled water, coffee or tea, all park fees and taxes, and an English-speaking guide are included.