Chobe Safari Day Trip from Livingstone: River Cruise & Game Drive

Elephants and lions from the water and the open vehicle in one day

A full-day safari from Livingstone combines a morning and afternoon in Chobe National Park with a river cruise and game drive, plus lunch at a lodge on the Chobe riverbank. You start at 7am, pass through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the drive to Botswana, then split your time between the water (where elephants and lions gather), and an open-sided vehicle that lets you see 360 degrees across the park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Parkpassing by
2. Chobe National Park9h

Chobe Safari Day Trip from Livingstone

• Meet guide at hotel lobby
• Drive through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Cross border at Kazungula town
• Morning cruise and game drive
• Enjoy buffet lunch at riverbank lodge
• Afternoon cruise and game drive
• Return to Livingstone hotel

The experience

The day starts at your hotel at 7am, and your guide drives you through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park toward the Kazungula border crossing into Botswana. The park itself holds rhinos, impalas, elephants, giraffe, zebras and hippos, so wildlife appears before you even reach Chobe. Once across the border, the morning cruise runs from 9:30 to 12:30 on the Chobe River, where the water draws elephants and lions to drink and wade. You watch from the boat as animals move along the banks and in the shallows.

Lunch is a fresh buffet with several options at a lodge on the riverbank, served from 12:30 to 1:30pm. The afternoon game drive follows from 1:30 to 4:30pm in an open-sided vehicle. No roof or windows between you and the view, so you see in all directions and spot animals at distance across the grassland. Chobe holds elephants, Cape buffalo, lions, antelopes and more. Refreshments are served throughout to keep you cool. The drive back to Livingstone takes about an hour, and you're dropped at your hotel by 6pm.

What’s included

• Driver-guide in English.
• entry to Chobe National Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
• fresh buffet lunch with multiple options.
• refreshments throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the drive to and from Livingstone.
• hotel pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (31 to 49 years) · Senior (50 and older) · Youth (15 to 30 years) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 85

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Southern Wild Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and leads the commentary throughout, so you follow comfortably whether you're on the boat or in the vehicle. The full day (10 to 12 hours from pickup to return) lets you experience both the river and the park without rushing between them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 30 years); Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).

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 animals am I likely to see on the Chobe River cruise?

Elephants and lions are the river's signature wildlife, gathering to drink and wade in the water and along the banks. The cruise also passes hippos, buffalo, antelopes and birds.

Why is the vehicle open-sided on the game drive?

The open sides let you see 360 degrees around you and spot animals at great distances across the park, rather than looking through windows. It also keeps you cooler in the heat.

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

Yes, you'll pass through immigration at the Kazungula border crossing. For countries requiring a visa, the operator recommends obtaining a KAZA Uni-Visa when you enter Zambia, which covers both countries.

What's included in the lunch at the lodge?

Lunch is a fresh buffet with several options, served at the lodge on the Chobe riverbank. Dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free can be accommodated if you note them when booking.

How much time do I spend on the water versus in the vehicle?

The morning cruise runs three hours, lunch is one hour, and the afternoon game drive is three hours, so you split your time roughly evenly between the river and the open vehicle.