Chobe National Park Safari: Game Drive & Boat Cruise

Land and water wildlife in one day across the Zimbabwe-Botswana border

A full-day safari from Victoria Falls into Chobe National Park combines a morning game drive, a boat cruise up the Chobe River and an afternoon game drive in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. You cross the Zimbabwe-Botswana border at Kazungula, spot major species including elephant, giraffe, lion and buffalo on land, then watch wildlife from the water before returning to Victoria Falls. Hotel pickup, lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge and all park fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day safari and boat cruise

• Pick up from hotel at 07:00
• Drive to Kazungula Border
• Cross Zimbabwe/Botswana border
• Boat cruise on Chobe River
• Buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge
• Afternoon game drive in 4WD vehicle

The experience

The day starts with a 0700 pickup from your Victoria Falls hotel. You'll be driven to the Kazungula Border, assisted through immigration on both the Zimbabwe and Botswana sides, then taken to the jetty for a boat cruise up the Chobe River. The river is where you'll see the park's densest concentration of wildlife: elephants, buffalo, hippos and waterbuck come to drink at the water's edge, and predators follow. Mineral water and soft drinks are served on the boat.

After the cruise you head to Chobe Safari Lodge for a full buffet lunch, then return to the park for a three-hour afternoon game drive in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The park holds different prides of lions, and you're likely to see giraffe, zebra, impala, tsessebe, roan, sable, wildebeest, kudu, warthog and eland. Hyena, jackal, bat-eared fox and occasionally cheetah and wild dog also move through the park. The morning game drive runs three hours. The afternoon drive is another three hours. An English-speaking guide leads both.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Victoria Falls hotel.
• assistance through immigration at Kazungula Border.
• boat cruise on the Chobe River with mineral water and soft drinks.
• full buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge.
• morning and afternoon game drives in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• all national park fees and taxes.
• air-conditioned vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 to 18 years) · Senior (19 and older) · Youth (9 to 10 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 41 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 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Africa Beast Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both land and water wildlife viewing in one day. The itinerary combines game drives through Chobe with a boat cruise, all departing from Victoria Falls.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 10 years); Child (3 to 8 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 animals am I most likely to see in Chobe National Park?

Chobe holds nearly all the major species in southern Africa: elephant, giraffe, zebra, impala, buffalo, kudu, warthog and wildebeest are common, and the park is known for its different prides of lions. Predators including hyena, jackal and bat-eared fox are also present, and cheetah and wild dog are possible.

How much time do I spend on the boat versus driving?

The day splits into three wildlife segments: a three-hour morning game drive, a one-hour boat cruise up the Chobe River, and a three-hour afternoon game drive. Lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge takes about an hour between the cruise and the afternoon drive.

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

Yes, you'll cross the Zimbabwe-Botswana border at Kazungula and pass through immigration on both sides. The tour operator assists with this process, but you must carry a valid passport.

What's included in the lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge?

A full buffet lunch is provided at Chobe Safari Lodge after the boat cruise. Bottled water and soft drinks are also served during the game drives and boat cruise.

What time does the tour end and return to Victoria Falls?

The tour runs eight to ten hours total, starting with a 0700 pickup. You'll return to your Victoria Falls hotel in the afternoon, though the exact time depends on wildlife sightings and border crossing times.