Chobe National Park day trip from Victoria Falls: Big Five safari

Land safari, river cruise, and lunch inside one day at Chobe

A full-day tour from Victoria Falls combines a 4x4 game drive through Chobe National Park with a river cruise on the Chobe River, both led by a professional guide. You'll search for elephants, big cats and other wildlife from an open vehicle in the morning, break for lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge, then watch animals gather at the water's edge from the boat in the afternoon. The early start maximizes your time in the park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe National Park safari and cruise

• Depart early from Victoria Falls
• Land-based safari in 4x4 vehicle
• Stop for lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge
• River viewing cruise on Chobe River

The experience

Chobe National Park sits just across the border from Victoria Falls and holds one of Africa's largest elephant populations. Your day begins before dawn with a pickup from your Victoria Falls accommodation, then a drive to the park entrance. Once inside, you climb into an open 4x4 vehicle for a land-based safari that takes you deep into the reserve. The vehicle's open sides let you scan the grassland and bush for the big cats, massive herds of elephants, buffalo and other game species that live here. Your guide reads the landscape for tracks and movement, stopping when wildlife appears.

Around midday you head to Chobe Safari Lodge for a proper lunch and time to rest before the second half of the day. After eating, you board a boat for a river-based safari on the Chobe River itself. This shift from land to water changes what you see: animals come to the riverbank to drink, and the vantage point from the boat lets you watch them at close range without the vehicle's movement. The river also hosts hippos, crocodiles and prolific bird life. The cruise runs until late afternoon, when you're driven back to Victoria Falls.

The nine-hour day is structured to give you both the predator-spotting advantage of an early morning drive and the concentrated wildlife viewing the river offers in the cooler late hours. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the land portions, and the guide speaks English throughout, narrating what you're seeing and answering questions as the day unfolds.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Victoria Falls hotel.
• entry fees to Chobe National Park.
• a professional English-speaking guide.
• a full game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle.
• lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• a river cruise on the Chobe River.
• refreshments throughout the day.
• air-conditioned transport for the land portions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 to 50 years) · Senior (55 to 65 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years): free · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Afro Dawn Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want English-language commentary throughout a full day combining game drive and river cruise. Choose a different Chobe option if you need a guide in another language.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (3 to 5 years): free. Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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 most likely to see on the Chobe game drive?

Chobe National Park is known for its large concentrations of elephants, and you'll also have chances to spot big cats, buffalo, and other large game species from the open 4x4 vehicle during the morning safari portion.

How does the river cruise part of the day work?

After lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge, you board a boat for a water-based safari on the Chobe River, where animals gather at the banks to drink and you can view hippos, crocodiles and prolific bird life from the water.

What time does the tour start and when does it end?

An early morning departure from Victoria Falls maximizes your time in the park, and the full day runs approximately nine hours before you return to your accommodation.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Yes, lunch is included and served at Chobe Safari Lodge, giving you a break between the morning game drive and the afternoon river cruise.

Do I need any experience or fitness level for this tour?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. You spend most of the day seated in the vehicle or on the boat, and the park is wheelchair accessible with accessible transportation and surfaces throughout.