Chobe Day Trip from Victoria Falls – Game Drive + River Cruise

Chobe National Park holds the world’s highest concentration of African elephants – over 120,000 animals in a single park. On a morning game drive in July or October, herds of 50 to 200 elephants are routine. On the afternoon river cruise, you watch them swim across the Chobe River at eye level from the boat. This is the wildlife experience that Victoria Falls makes possible with a single day and no overnight stay.

The day trip covers 70km from Victoria Falls to the Kasungula border, crosses into Botswana with full guide assistance, and delivers you into Chobe for a morning game drive followed by a buffet lunch and a three-hour river cruise before returning to your hotel by early evening.

Your Day, Hour by Hour

Wildlife You’ll Encounter

Chobe is famous for elephants but delivers far more:

• African Elephant – virtually certain year-round; 120,000+ in the park
• Hippopotamus – large pods throughout the Chobe River, highly visible from the boat
• Nile Crocodile – on every sandbank along the river
• Lion – regularly encountered near the river on morning drives
• Buffalo – large dry-season herds at the riverfront
• Giraffe, Zebra, Impala, Kudu – abundant throughout the park
• African Fish Eagle – heard and seen on virtually every cruise
• 450+ Bird Species – outstanding birdwatching from the boat

Why the River Cruise Makes This Trip

Most Chobe visitors only do a game drive. The river cruise is what separates this trip from any other safari day. From a purpose-built boat at water level, you observe hippos surfacing in pods, elephants swimming midstream, and crocodiles basking at eye level – sightings that simply aren’t possible from a land vehicle. Late afternoon light on the Chobe River is exceptional for photography.

What’s Included

• Return hotel transfers from Victoria Falls
• All Kasungula border crossing assistance (Zimbabwe exit + Botswana entry + return)
• Morning game drive in open 4×4 safari vehicle
• Buffet lunch at Cresta Mowana Lodge
• Afternoon river cruise on the Chobe River
• Professional licensed guide throughout
• Bottled water all day
• All Chobe National Park entry fees

What’s Not Included

• Botswana visa – not required for most nationalities (UK, USA, EU, Australia, most African passports). Confirm before travel if unsure
• Gratuities for guide (optional – $10–15 per person is customary)
• Personal purchases

Best Time to Visit Chobe

The dry season (May–October) is peak season. As water sources dry up across the landscape, all wildlife concentrates along the Chobe River – producing extraordinary densities on both the game drive and river cruise. September and October are the absolute peak months. The green season (November–April) offers lush scenery, newborn animals, and excellent birdwatching with fewer visitors.

Practical Information

• Duration: 10 hours door-to-door
• Minimum age: No minimum – children under 12 from $110
• What to bring: Passport, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki/olive/beige), hat, sunscreen, camera with zoom lens, binoculars
• Passport required: Yes – for Kasungula border crossing. Children under 18 need birth certificate