Chobe National Park Day Safari: River and Land Tour

See elephants and African wildlife across water and savanna in a single day

A small-group day safari from Victoria Falls that splits the morning between a Chobe River cruise and the afternoon between a game drive in Chobe National Park, with hotel pickup, lunch at Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge, and an English-speaking guide. The route crosses into Botswana at the Kazungula border, and the order of activities may shift based on recent wildlife sightings to maximize your chances of seeing the Big Five.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe National Park Safari from Victoria Falls

• Depart Victoria Falls to Kazungula border
• Meet Botswana guide at border
• Morning game viewing cruise on Chobe River
• Enjoy tea, coffee, and biscuits
• Lunch at riverbank hotel
• Afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park
• Return to Kazungula border
• Meet Zimbabwean guide for transfer back
• Arrive back at Victoria Falls

The Experience

The tour picks you up from your Victoria Falls hotel between 07:00 and 07:30, then drives to the Kazungula border where a Botswana guide meets you for the crossing. From there you head straight to the Chobe River for a morning cruise—tea, coffee and biscuits are provided—watching for elephants, buffalo, lions and other wildlife from the water. The cruise wraps around 12:30, and you're taken to Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge on the riverbank for a buffet lunch.

After lunch you board an open 4x4 game drive vehicle for the afternoon in Chobe National Park itself. The park is known for its elephant concentration, so sightings are likely, though no wildlife encounter is guaranteed since animals move freely. The group stays small—a maximum of eight people per vehicle—which keeps the experience personal and gives everyone a clear view. The afternoon drive ends by late afternoon, and you're driven back to the Kazungula border to meet your Zimbabwean guide for the return to Victoria Falls, arriving around 17:30 to 18:00.

Bring your passport, as you'll cross the border into Botswana; a soft copy of your birth certificate is required if you're traveling with children under 18. The park entrance fee (USD 20 per person, paid in cash) is separate. Wear closed shoes and comfortable clothing, and pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and a camera or binoculars—the combination of river and land means you'll have multiple angles on the wildlife.

What’s included

• Open 4x4 game drive in Chobe National Park.
• morning Chobe River cruise.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Victoria Falls.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• buffet lunch at Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge.
• tea, coffee and biscuits during the river cruise.
• bottled drinking water.
• Botswana border assistance.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cuckoo Safaris

Is this one for you?Small-group vehicles capped at eight people mean you're not competing for views or fighting over window seats—everyone in the 4x4 gets a clear sightline, and the guide can adjust the route based on where animals are moving that day.

Traveler reviews

4.62★★★★★★★★★★

135 verified traveler reviews

5 ★110

4 ★11

3 ★7

2 ★2

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between the morning river cruise and the afternoon game drive in Chobe?

The morning Chobe River cruise gives you a water-level view of wildlife along the riverbank, while the afternoon game drive in open 4x4 vehicles takes you into the park itself where you can spot animals across the savanna and grassland. Both are included in the same day.

Am I almost certain to see elephants on this safari?

Chobe National Park has one of Africa's highest elephant concentrations, so sightings are very likely, but wildlife cannot be guaranteed since animals roam freely in their natural habitat. The combination of river and land routes gives you the best chance of encounters.

How many people travel in each safari vehicle?

The maximum group size is eight guests per open 4x4 vehicle, and groups may be smaller depending on bookings for the day, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.

What do I need to bring to cross into Botswana?

You must bring your passport and meet Botswana visa requirements before travel. If you're traveling with children under 18, a soft copy of their birth certificate is also required for border formalities.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Yes, a buffet lunch is included at Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge on the riverbank after the morning river cruise and before the afternoon game drive.

Can the order of the river cruise and game drive be switched?

Yes, depending on wildlife sightings from the previous night, the activities may be reordered—you might start with the game drive and finish with the boat cruise instead—to maximize your chances of seeing animals.