Chobe River Cruise from Victoria Falls: Boat, game drive & lunch

Boat cruise at dawn, game drive through the park, lunch between the two

You spend the full day on the water and in open vehicles watching wildlife in Chobe National Park, with a professional guide handling navigation and animal spotting. Boat cruise, game drive, lunch, and all park fees are included, plus transfers from Victoria Falls. You don't arrange transport or tickets yourself. Everything is coordinated, which matters when you're crossing a border and timing matters.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chobe boat cruise and game drive

• Enjoy tea and coffee before start
• Drive from Victoria Falls through park
• Take Chobe River boat cruise
• Have lunch during the trip
• Go on game drive with park fees included
• Drink mineral water and refreshments

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Victoria Falls, the drive to Chobe National Park with wildlife viewing en route, a full boat cruise on the Chobe River with tea and coffee before departure, a game drive through the park, lunch, mineral water and refreshments throughout, all park fees, and return transfer to Victoria Falls. A professional guide accompanies you for the entire day.

Times

• Every day 07:00 07:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 100

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Book up to 16h before

Ages Adult (16 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Confirmation Confirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Africa Zim Travel & Tours

Prices and times updated today

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The experience

I wasn't ready for how many there were. The boat pushes out from the dock just after sunrise, and within minutes the riverbank is lined with elephants, not one or two, but herds moving in and out of the water like it's the most ordinary thing in the world. Tea and coffee arrive before you leave the lodge, and then the drive into Chobe National Park starts, winding through acacia scrub where giraffes stand frozen mid-stride and buffalo graze in clusters. The park fees are already handled, so you're not stopping at gates or doing paperwork. You're just moving through the landscape with a professional guide who knows where to look.

The boat cruise on the Chobe River is the heart of the day. You're on the water for hours, watching animals come down to drink (elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelope), and the guide points out behavior you'd miss on your own. Lunch happens mid-day, solid and warm, and mineral water keeps coming. After that there's a game drive through the park itself, a different angle on the same animals, and the light changes everything. By late afternoon you're heading back toward Victoria Falls, the drive retracing the same route but somehow it feels different when you've been inside the park all day.

One thing to know upfront: if you're traveling with children under 18, you'll need certified copies of their birth certificates at the border. If one parent isn't traveling, the other parent needs to provide a signed affidavit. It sounds bureaucratic, but it's a real requirement and worth sorting before you book. Yellow fever certificates are also mandatory if you've been through Central or East Africa recently. The minimum age is two years old, and infants sit on a parent's lap during the boat and game drive.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

How long is the Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls?

It's a full day activity. You leave Victoria Falls in the morning and return in the late afternoon, with the boat cruise and game drive taking up most of the daylight hours.

What animals will I see on the Chobe River cruise?

Elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, giraffes, and various antelope species come down to the river to drink. Sightings depend on the season and time of day, but the Chobe River is known for high concentrations of wildlife.

Is lunch included in the Chobe day trip?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with mineral water and refreshments during both the boat cruise and the game drive.

Do I need a passport or visa for Chobe National Park?

Chobe National Park is in Botswana, so you'll need a valid passport. Visa requirements depend on your nationality. The tour includes transfers across the border, but you're responsible for having the correct travel documents.

Is a yellow fever certificate required?

Yes, if you've recently traveled through Central or East Africa. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic before booking to confirm whether you need one.

What should I wear on the Chobe day trip?

Casual clothing or safari wear. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and sunglasses. The sun is strong on the water and in the open vehicle.

Is this trip suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers due to the boat and vehicle movement over several hours.

Can infants go on the Chobe day trip?

Yes, the minimum age is two years old. Infants under two can sit on an adult's lap during the boat cruise and game drive, but the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.