Chobe National Park day trip: Game drive & river cruise

Land and water wildlife viewing in one full day

A full-day tour from Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park in Botswana combines a morning game drive and afternoon river cruise with lunch at a riverside lodge. After early pickup and border crossing, you search for elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes and birds by vehicle, then watch wildlife gather along the water's edge from the boat. The day ends with a late-afternoon return to Victoria Falls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Chobe National Park trip

• Pickup from hotel early morning
• Transfer to Botswana border for immigration
• Morning game drive in Chobe National Park
• Buffet lunch at riverside lodge
• Afternoon boat cruise on Chobe River
• Return to Victoria Falls late afternoon

The experience

Hotel pickup starts between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning, followed by a transfer to the Botswana border for immigration formalities before entering Chobe National Park. The morning game drive takes you through the park in search of elephants (the park holds one of the continent's largest concentrations) along with buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras, antelope, and abundant birdlife. A guide in English leads the drive and points out what moves through the landscape.

Lunch is served at a local lodge overlooking the Chobe River, with a buffet and soft drinks included. The afternoon shifts to water: a boat cruise along the river offers a different vantage on the wildlife. Elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birds gather at the water's edge, and the slower pace of the boat lets you watch them without the dust and motion of the vehicle. After the cruise, the return journey to Victoria Falls takes the late afternoon, arriving back at your hotel as the day winds down.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• English-speaking guide.
• morning game drive through Chobe National Park.
• buffet lunch at a riverside lodge.
• afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River.
• water and soft drinks during activities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (11 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Excellence Trails Safaris & Photography

Is this one for you?This full-day format works for travelers who want to see Chobe's wildlife from both land and water without splitting the experience across two separate trips. The eight-hour commitment and moderate fitness level required suit those with a full day to spare from Victoria Falls and the stamina for early pickup and late return.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): 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 wildlife will I see on the Chobe game drive?

Chobe National Park is home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations, and the morning drive targets elephants along with buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras, antelope, and a wide range of birdlife. The afternoon river cruise adds hippos and crocodiles to the sightings as they congregate along the water.

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

The morning is devoted to the game drive through the park, and the afternoon to the river cruise. Lunch at the riverside lodge sits between them, so you experience both land and water wildlife viewing in a single day.

What's included in the lunch at the lodge?

A buffet lunch is served at the local lodge overlooking the Chobe River, with water and soft drinks included during both the game drive and the boat cruise.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the border?

Hotel pickup is included. You're collected from your accommodation between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning and transferred to the Botswana border for immigration formalities before entering the park.

What is the park entrance fee situation?

Chobe National Park entrance fees are not included in the tour price and are paid separately.