Chobe National Park day trip: Big cats and sunset

Two chances to spot big cats, morning and evening, with a sunset cruise between them

A full-day safari from Victoria Falls that crosses into Botswana for game drives in Chobe National Park and a 3-hour boat cruise on the Chobe River, with a professional guide, all park fees, breakfast and lunch included. The early pickup maximizes the chance of seeing lions and other big cats during their active hunting hours at dawn and dusk, and the afternoon river cruise lets you watch wildlife gather at the water's edge as light fades. Hotel return is around 8:00 pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day game drive and river cruise

• Early morning hotel pickup
• Drive through Zambezi National Park
• Arrive at Chobe National Park gate
• Half-day game drive in Chobe Park
• Lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge
• Relax after lunch
• Afternoon 3-hour Chobe River cruise
• Return to Zimbabwe border
• Drive back to Victoria Falls hotel

The experience

The tour starts before sunrise with hotel pickup and a 1-hour drive through Zambezi National Park to the Chobe border, timed to catch nocturnal animals still active and big cats beginning their hunt. You reach Chobe National Park's gate just before 6:30 am for a half-day game drive that runs until lunch around noon. The window when lions and other predators are most visible. The morning ends at Chobe Safari Lodge, where a buffet lunch gives you time to rest before the afternoon shifts to water.

The 3-hour boat cruise on the Chobe River starts in the afternoon and runs until sunset, when birds and larger animals come down to drink. You watch from the water as light changes across the landscape and wildlife moves through the riverbank. The National Park requires everyone off the river by 6:00 pm, so the cruise is timed to that boundary. After the cruise ends, the return journey crosses back through Zambezi National Park around 7:00 pm (again a prime time for spotting cats as they hunt in the evening), and the 45-mile transfer back to Victoria Falls takes about an hour, with arrival around 8:00 pm.

A professional English-speaking guide leads the whole day. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan. Packed breakfast and lunch are included, along with all National Park fees. The tour runs as a full day, so plan for a long but continuous experience rather than separate morning and afternoon bookings.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• all National Park fees.
• air-conditioned minivan transport with hotel pickup.
• packed breakfast and lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• 3-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendly

Operated by DK Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary and wildlife spotting without translation. The full 15-hour day suits travelers with a free schedule and the stamina for an early start and late return, and it's built for anyone who wants the best chance of seeing big cats rather than a shorter partial-day option.

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Top questions

What's the best time of day to see lions and leopards on this tour?

The morning game drive in Chobe, starting before 6:30 am, is when big cats are most active and hunting. The return drive through Zambezi National Park around 7:00 pm offers a second window, as cats hunt again in the evening. The tour is built around these two periods.

How much time do I spend on the Chobe River?

The boat cruise runs for 3 hours in the afternoon and ends at sunset, when the National Park requires all boats off the water by 6:00 pm. This timing lets you see animals gathering at the riverbank as light fades.

What's included in the meals on this day trip?

Packed breakfast and lunch are included. Lunch is served buffet style at Chobe Safari Lodge around noon, with time to rest before the afternoon cruise. Breakfast is packed for the early morning drive.

How long is the full day from hotel pickup to return?

Hotel pickup starts before dawn and you return around 8:00 pm, making this a 15-hour commitment. The early start maximizes the chance of encountering big cats during their active hunting hours.

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes, a current valid passport is required on the day of travel, as the tour crosses the Zimbabwe-Botswana border into Chobe National Park.