Chobe Day Trip from Victoria Falls: River & Game Drive

One day covers both water and land in Africa's elephant stronghold.

A full-day small group tour from Victoria Falls combines a 3-hour Chobe River cruise with a 3-hour game drive through Chobe National Park in Botswana, departing after hotel pickup and returning in the early evening. The river section brings you close to elephants, hippos, crocodiles and over 450 bird species along the banks. The game drive follows with lions, giraffes, zebras and more across the savanna. Lunch at a local lodge sits between the two halves of the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Chobe safari adventure

• Hotel pick-up in Victoria Falls
• Travel to Kazungula border
• Change to Botswana safari vehicle
• Enjoy 3-hour Chobe River cruise
• Lunch at local lodge or restaurant
• 3-hour game drive in Chobe National Park
• Return to Victoria Falls in early evening

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Victoria Falls hotel between 7:00 AM and 7:15 AM, then a drive to the Kazungula border where you switch to a Botswana safari vehicle. From there, the Chobe River cruise takes three hours, moving slowly along the water where elephants wade to drink, hippos surface in pods, and crocodiles sun themselves on the banks. The riverbanks concentrate wildlife in a way the open savanna does not, so sightings come steady rather than scattered.

After lunch at a local lodge or restaurant, a three-hour game drive covers the park's interior in search of the Big Four (lions, elephants, buffalo and leopards), along with giraffes, zebras and whatever else moves across the grassland that afternoon. An English-speaking guide leads both sections, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps the heat manageable during the longer stretches between sightings. The return to Victoria Falls happens in the early evening, leaving the rest of your night free.

Chobe holds one of Africa's largest elephant populations, and the combination of river and land lets you see them in two different contexts: drinking and bathing in the water, then moving through the bush. Over 450 bird species live in the park, so even when larger animals stay hidden, the riverbanks and open ground keep binoculars busy. Bottled water comes with you both sections. Lunch is the only meal included, so plan accordingly if you prefer to eat before or after the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Victoria Falls.
• transport to the Kazungula border and switch to a Botswana safari vehicle.
• 3-hour Chobe River cruise.
• lunch at a local lodge or restaurant.
• 3-hour game drive in Chobe National Park.
• English-speaking guide for both sections.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the game drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

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

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 33 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 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by African Fairytale Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Victoria Falls means you do not need to arrange your own transport to the border or navigate the crossing into Botswana. The tour handles both, so you travel as a passenger from start to finish.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

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 will I actually see on the Chobe River cruise?

Elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo are regular sightings along the riverbanks, and over 450 bird species live in the park, including fish eagles, kingfishers and storks. The river concentrates wildlife because animals come to drink and bathe, so encounters tend to be frequent rather than rare.

How much time is spent driving versus on the water?

The day splits evenly: three hours on the Chobe River cruise in the morning, then three hours on a game drive through the park after lunch. Travel to and from the border, plus the lunch break itself, fills the remaining time.

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

You will cross the border at Kazungula, so a valid passport is required. Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Check with your government before booking, as visa costs are not included in the tour price.

Is the game drive vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes, the safari vehicle used for the game drive portion is air-conditioned. The river cruise boat is open-air, so bring sun protection and a hat for that section.