Chobe Day Trip from Victoria Falls: River & Game Drive

Chobe River boat cruise and afternoon game drive in one day

A shared day tour from Victoria Falls into Chobe National Park combines a three-hour morning boat cruise on the Chobe River with a three-hour afternoon game drive, bookended by transfers and meals. You cross the Zimbabwe-Botswana border early, spend the midday hours on the water watching hippos, crocodiles and bathing elephants, then track wildlife deeper into the park before heading back to your hotel by 17:30.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe National Park day trip

• Pickup from Victoria Falls hotel
• Travel to Kazungula border post
• Complete immigration formalities
• Board open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle
• Enjoy tea or coffee with muffins
• Embark on 3-hour Chobe River boat cruise
• Return for midday lunch
• Depart for 3-hour game drive
• Transfer to border and cross to Zimbabwe
• Drive back to Victoria Falls hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Victoria Falls hotel at 06:50 AM and a 70 km transfer north to the Kazungula border post. After immigration, a guide meets you in an open-sided 4x4 vehicle and takes you to the local office for tea, coffee and rusks around 08:15. At 09:30 you board a boat for the Chobe River cruise. Three hours watching hippos, crocodiles and elephants from the water's edge, close enough to see them move. You're back by 12:30 for a midday lunch.

The afternoon game drive departs at 13:30 and runs three hours into the national park itself. An English-speaking guide drives the open vehicle while you scan for predators and the massive herds Chobe is known for. The pace is set by what appears: you stop when animals are near, move on when they're not. By 16:30 you're heading back to the border, crossing into Zimbabwe and returning to Victoria Falls for hotel drop-off around 17:30.

The full day runs eleven hours door to door. All border fees and taxes are covered, as are the guide, transfers, meals and both the boat and the game drive vehicle. You need a valid passport and must be at least 14 years old. The tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or serious heart conditions.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfers from Victoria Falls hotels.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• border crossing fees and taxes.
• morning tea, coffee and rusks.
• midday lunch.
• three-hour Chobe River boat cruise.
• three-hour afternoon game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Africa Uncovered Safaris

Is this one for you?The early 06:50 AM start and full eleven-hour day suit travelers who want to pack both the river and the park into a single outing and don't mind an early wake-up and a long return drive. The open-sided vehicle means you're exposed to sun and wind during the game drive, so bring sunscreen and a hat.

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Top questions

What animals will I see on the Chobe River boat cruise?

The Chobe River boat cruise focuses on hippos, crocodiles and bathing elephants, which congregate along the water's edge, especially in the morning hours when the boat runs.

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

A Kaza Univisa or double-entry visa is required to cross the Zimbabwe-Botswana border. This is not included in the tour price and must be arranged before your departure date.

How much time do I spend in the open-sided vehicle?

You ride in the open 4x4 for the three-hour afternoon game drive through Chobe National Park, plus the transfer to and from the border: roughly five hours in the vehicle across the full day.

What is included in the meals during the day?

Tea, coffee and rusks are served at the office in the morning after the border crossing. A full lunch is provided at midday between the boat cruise and the game drive.

What time does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour ends with a hotel drop-off in Victoria Falls around 17:30 PM. Your guide drives you back in the air-conditioned transfer vehicle after the border crossing.