Chobe National Park day trip: Safari & river cruise

Game drive at dawn, lunch at the lodge, three hours on the river at sunset

A full-day safari tour from Victoria Falls into Chobe National Park in Botswana, with hotel pickup and drop-off, a half-day 4x4 game drive, buffet lunch, and a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. The early 5:30 AM departure maximizes wildlife viewing across the park's diverse terrain, and the boat cruise ends as the sun sets over the water. Small groups of up to eight travelers travel together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe National Park Safari and Cruise

• Hotel pickup at 5:30 AM
• Drive to Chobe National Park
• Enjoy packed breakfast
• Half-day game drive in 4x4 safari vehicle
• Buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge or Cresta Marina Lodge
• Relax in the shade
• 3-hour sunset boat cruise on Chobe River
• Return to hotel after sunset

The experience

How do you get into Botswana's big game country without renting a car or navigating the border alone? The tour picks you up from your Victoria Falls hotel at 5:30 AM and handles the drive across the Zimbabwe–Botswana border. Just over an hour into Chobe National Park. A packed breakfast travels with you, eaten before the half-day game drive begins in a 4x4 open safari vehicle. The early start matters: it puts you in the park when animals are most active, moving between water and shade as the day heats up.

Around noon you stop at either Chobe Safari Lodge or Cresta Marina Lodge for a buffet lunch, then rest in the shade before the afternoon's second half begins. The 3-hour boat cruise on the Chobe River starts in the late afternoon and runs through sunset. From the water you watch for birds, crocodiles, elephants and other wildlife along the banks. The river itself is where many animals come to drink, so sightings are concentrated. The cruise ends after dark, and the drive back to Victoria Falls completes around 6:30 PM or later depending on the day's timing.

Groups stay small, a maximum of eight per vehicle, so the 4x4 doesn't feel crowded and the guide can adjust stops based on what the group wants to see. A valid passport is required to cross the border. Most nationalities do not need a visa for Botswana, but check before you travel. Botswana National Park fees are paid in cash (USD) at the border and are not included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Victoria Falls.
• packed bush breakfast.
• half-day 4x4 game drive in an open safari vehicle.
• buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge or Cresta Marina Lodge.
• 3-hour sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River with wildlife viewing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cuckoo Safaris

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup at 5:30 AM means you don't need a car or a way to reach the border. The tour handles the crossing and the full day inside the park, returning you to your accommodation after sunset. This works for anyone staying in Victoria Falls without independent transport.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I likely to see on the Chobe game drive and river cruise?

Chobe National Park supports a huge assortment of wildlife across its diverse terrain. Elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos, crocodiles and antelope are common. Birds are abundant throughout the day and especially visible from the river. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed since animals roam freely in their natural habitat, but the early morning drive and the river cruise give two separate chances to spot different species in their preferred times and places.

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

Most nationalities do not require a visa for Botswana, but you must check your own country's requirements before booking. A valid passport is required. Children under 18 traveling with one parent or without both parents should carry a copy of their birth certificate and any required parental consent documents. The tour crosses the Zimbabwe–Botswana border as part of the day trip.

What's included in the tour price and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Victoria Falls, packed breakfast, the half-day 4x4 game drive, buffet lunch at the lodge, and the 3-hour sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Botswana National Park entrance fees are not included and must be paid in cash (USD) at the border when you arrive.

What should I bring and wear for a full day in the park?

Wear comfortable clothing in neutral colors (bright colors can startle wildlife), a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring insect repellent and a light jacket for the early morning, which can be cool before sunrise. The 4x4 vehicle is open-sided, so you're exposed to the elements throughout the game drive and the boat cruise.