Chobe National Park day trip: Game drive & river cruise

Safari and river in one day: wildlife from both land and water

A full-day tour from Victoria Falls into Chobe National Park combines a three-hour morning game drive through the park with a three-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River, both led by a professional guide. The package includes hotel pickup, park entry fees, lunch with a soft drink and bottled water, refreshments during both activities, and return transfer to Victoria Falls. The tour runs from 6:30am to around 4:30pm and suits families with children from age one, as well as travelers of all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Chobe National Park trip

• Pick up from hotel at 0630hrs
• Drive to Zimbabwe/Botswana border
• Check in at border at 0730hrs
• Register at Chobe National Park at 0830hrs
• Morning safari game drive at 0900hrs
• Enjoy refreshments during game drive
• Lunch in Botswana at 1200hrs
• Boat cruise on Chobe River at 1300hrs
• Refreshments included on boat cruise
• End trip and transfer back to Victoria Falls at 1630hrs

The experience

You start before dawn: pickup from your Victoria Falls hotel at 6:30am, then a one-hour drive to the Zimbabwe-Botswana border. After check-in at the border and park registration, the morning game drive begins at 9am and runs for three hours through Chobe National Park. The route takes you across terrain where wildlife congregates year-round: elephants, buffalo, antelope and birds move through the park's grasslands and woodland, and the guide points out what appears as you drive. Refreshments come with you during the drive.

Lunch happens at noon in Botswana: a meal with one soft drink and bottled water included. At 1pm you board a boat for a three-hour cruise on the Chobe River, where animals come to drink at the water's edge and the light shifts as the afternoon moves on. Refreshments are included during the cruise as well. The boat returns you to the meeting point by around 4:30pm, and you're driven back to Victoria Falls by 6pm.

The tour is built around what you see from two different vantage points. The vehicle lets you cover ground and get closer to grazing herds, while the river puts you at eye level with animals that approach the water. A professional English-speaking guide narrates both. The day is long but the pace is steady, and the package handles all logistics: border crossings, park fees, transport and meals are arranged.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer from Victoria Falls.
• park entry fees.
• three-hour morning game drive with a professional guide.
• lunch with one soft drink and bottled water.
• refreshments during the game drive and boat cruise.
• three-hour afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 90 years) · Youth (7 to 11 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 10

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Willtac tours and safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both a morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise in one day: two ways to spot wildlife from different vantage points without splitting your visit across multiple days.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 11 years); Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): 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 game drive in Chobe?

Chobe National Park is home to large herds of elephants, buffalo, various antelope species, and numerous bird species. The guide will point out animals as they appear during the three-hour morning drive through the park.

How much time do I spend on the boat cruise?

The boat cruise on the Chobe River runs for three hours in the afternoon, starting at 1pm. You'll be on the water watching animals come to drink at the riverbank.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch in Botswana includes one soft drink and bottled water. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the package, though you can choose to add drinks at lunch when you book.

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

No. Hotel pickup from Victoria Falls is included at 6:30am, and the driver takes you all the way to the Zimbabwe-Botswana border, handles check-in, and brings you back to your hotel at the end of the day.