Chobe National Park tour: Game drive & boat cruise

One day across two countries: river animals at water level, then savanna game from the road

A full-day tour from Victoria Falls crosses into Botswana for a morning boat cruise on the Chobe River and an afternoon game drive through Chobe National Park, with hotel pickup, lunch and an experienced guide. The route covers the 80km journey through Victoria Falls National Park to the Kazungula border, then continues to the river for wildlife viewing before moving inland for the park drive.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chobe River and National Park

• Pick up from hotels at 07:30
• Drive through Victoria Falls National Park
• Transfer from Kazungula border to Chobe River
• Boat cruise on Chobe River until lunch
• Lunch at 12:30
• Game drive in Chobe National Park
• Transfer to Botswana/Zimbabwe border
• Transfer from border to hotels

The experience

The day starts with pickup at 7:30am from your Victoria Falls hotel and a one-hour drive through Victoria Falls National Park to the Kazungula border crossing. The route itself is a wildlife corridor: elephants, lions, hyenas, giraffes, impalas and zebras move through the same landscape you're crossing. Once through the border into Botswana, you transfer to the Chobe River by 8am for a boat cruise that runs until lunch at 12:30pm. The river concentrates animals along its banks, so you watch them at water level as they drink and move between the vegetation.

After lunch, a game drive through Chobe National Park takes over the afternoon until 4:30pm. The same animals you saw from the water (plus buffalo, warthogs and birds) appear from the road as the guide navigates the park's tracks. The vehicle is a modern, air-conditioned 4x4 built for the terrain and the heat. By 5pm you're back at the border. The return to your hotel takes another hour, arriving around 6pm.

Your guide speaks English and knows the parks, animals and routes in detail. Bottled water, snacks and lunch are included throughout the day. The border crossing itself is part of the itinerary, so you don't arrange it separately. The driver handles the process with hotel reception before pickup.

What’s included

• Pickup and return transfer from your Victoria Falls hotel.
• modern air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
• experienced English-speaking guide.
• boat cruise on the Chobe River.
• game drive in Chobe National Park.
• lunch.
• bottled water and snacks.
• border crossing arrangements.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Zambezi Quest Travel And Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a shared group experience with set departure times and a fixed itinerary combining river and game viewing, rather than a private or self-guided option.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What animals will I actually see on the Chobe River boat cruise?

The Chobe River concentrates elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos, giraffes and various antelope species along its banks, especially in the morning and early afternoon when they come to drink. Birds are abundant year-round. Sightings depend on the season and the day, but the river is known for consistent wildlife viewing because animals must come to water.

How long is the drive from Victoria Falls to Chobe, and what happens at the border?

The drive from your hotel to the Kazungula border takes about one hour through Victoria Falls National Park. Your guide handles the border crossing process. You'll pass through Zimbabwe and Botswana checkpoints, then transfer to a boat for the river section. The whole process from hotel to the river takes roughly two hours.

Is the 4x4 vehicle comfortable for a full day in the heat?

The vehicles are modern, air-conditioned and spacious, designed specifically for game drives and the African heat. You'll spend the morning on the river (where there's breeze and shade from the boat canopy) and the afternoon in the vehicle with air conditioning. Bottled water and snacks are provided throughout.

Do I need a passport for the border crossing?

Yes. The tour crosses from Zimbabwe into Botswana at the Kazungula border, so you'll need a valid passport. Check your visa requirements for Botswana before booking. Most nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays, but confirm with your embassy.