Chobe National Park Day Trip: 11 Things to Know
Over 120,000 elephants. Yes, really! My husband and I couldn’t wrap our heads around that number either until we saw them with our own eyes!
Chobe National Park in Botswana has the largest elephant population on the planet, but that’s only part of the show.
On our day trip, we watched hippos bobbing in the river, giraffes gliding past like they owned the place, and herds of zebras scattered across the landscape. The park even has big cats if you’re lucky.
In this guide, I’m sharing why I think a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls is absolutely worth it and my 11 best tips to help you make the most of your visit.
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01- How to Get to Chobe National Park
Map showing proximity of Chobe National Park to Zambia and Zimbabwe
Chobe National Park sits along the Chobe River in Botswana, which is in close proximity to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Due to its unique location to its neighboring countries, you can see why visiting makes a great day trip from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia.
We used the gorgeous Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel as our base in Zimbabwe to make the day trip.
It will take 75 km (43 miles) or 1.5 hours to get from Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe to Chobe National Park. My husband and I were picked up from Victoria Falls Town at 7:30 am, and we arrived at Chobe Marina Lodge (the entrance point to where we started the River Cruise) at 9 am.
We did not stay in Zambia, but from my understanding, it takes about 2 hours to get to Chobe from Livingstone, Zambia.
02- Best Time to Visit Chobe
Bull elephant near Chobe River at Chobe National Park
The dry season in Chobe National Park runs from May through October, but the prime months for game viewing are August through October. Here’s why:
→ These months are typically very hot and mostly rain-free (though mornings remain cooler), drawing water-dependent animals like elephants and buffalo—and the predators that follow them—to the Chobe River.
→ With the thinning vegetation, it’s much easier to spot wildlife.
Another bonus of visiting during this time?
Less rain means fewer mosquitoes. However, keep in mind that it’s also the busiest time of year, so expect larger crowds and higher prices.
Watching hippos play in the Chobe River during our river cruise
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Watch out for those predators! Crocodile trying to blend in along the Chobe River.
03- Animals You’ll See
My husband and I visited in September. The afternoon safari game drive was hot and dry, which drew a wide range of wildlife to the waterfront.
We spotted elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and zebras.
Although we didn’t see any big cats, other travelers from the morning drive shared that they had watched a leopard haul its kill into a tree.
Looking back, I’d probably opt for the Jeep safari in the morning and the river cruise later in the day. Morning drives seem to offer better chances of seeing big cats, which I would have loved.
Giraffes doing the splits
On your river cruise, you get pretty close to these magnificent animals.
Zebras grazing at Chobe National Park
Trust me, those are not rocks! Watch out for the sleeping hippos
04- How Many Days to Spend at the Park
Ideally, 2 nights/3 days if you have the days to spare.
By spending the night around the Chobe National Park area, you will be there for the prime game viewing times which are the early morning and late afternoon hours.
When you do a day trip, you do not start until late morning and then have to leave mid-afternoon to get back to the Victoria Falls area.
Victoria Falls was part of our epic 2-week South Africa itinerary.
We did not have any extra days to spare and could only do a day trip. With that being said, I would definitely still recommend doing a day trip to Chobe National Park because it gives you a taste of what this park has to offer.
05- What Makes This Park Unique
What sets Chobe National Park apart is the unique combination of a river cruise and a jeep safari drive.
While most safari experiences are solely done by jeep, a Chobe day trip offers the chance to observe wildlife from both water and land.
We started our adventure with a morning river cruise, then switched to a jeep game drive in the afternoon.
Exploring the park in two completely different ways made for an incredibly dynamic and memorable experience.
WATER: River Cruise on Double Decker Boat
LAND: Safari Jeep Drive
06- Chobe National Park Day Trip Itinerary
- 7:30 am: Pick up from Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe
- 9 am: Arrive at Chobe Marina Lodge (entrance point where we started the River Cruise)
- 9:30-12:30 pm: 3 hour River cruise along the Chobe River from a 2-decker boat
- 12:30-1:30 pm: Buffet lunch at Chobe Marina Lodge (standard buffet food was so-so)
- 1:30 pm- 4:30 pm: Afternoon safari game drive (9 people max to a jeep but we lucked out and only had 2 other people with us)
- By 6:30 pm: Drop off at Victoria Falls Town
Chobe Marina Lodge: This is the launch point for the river cruise and also where the buffet lunch is served
07- Malaria Risk
Mosquito
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a malaria risk in Chobe National Park. We went during the dry season when there were fewer mosquitoes, but I still took the malaria pills to minimize my risk. I’m a mosquito magnet, so I wasn’t taking chances.
Your primary care provider or travel clinic can review the best options for malaria prophylaxis for your situation.
Options include Doxycycline, Mefloquine, Tafenoquine, and Malarone.
I usually take Malarone, which is started 1-2 days prior to your trip, all during your trip, and 7 days after your trip. Consult with your doctor on the best choice for you.
08- Best Safari Lodges in Chobe National Park
If you choose to stay overnight, the Chobe Game Lodge is the only accommodation located directly within the park boundaries.
This elegant lodge is fully certified for ecotourism (they even operate an electric safari fleet) and offers a prime location right along the Chobe River.
Outside the park, there are also several highly-rated safari lodges to consider, such as:
→ Ghoha Hills Savuti: Some say the Savuti grasslands have the highest concentration of wildlife on the continent.
→ Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero: Beautiful lodge with only 15 suites
→ Ngoma Safari Lodge: 8 luxury suites with great views over the plains.
Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge
09- What to Bring on a Day Trip
Wearing our safari clothes at Chobe National Park
Kaza Univisa
You must bring this with you for the tour. You can obtain a Kaza Univisa at the Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe or at Livingstone Airport in Zambia when you land. Cost is $50. It is valid 30 days from entry. It allows you unlimited border crossings between Zambia and Zimbabwe plus day trips to Botswana.
Sunscreen + Insect Repellant
The sun is brutally hot! Strongly advise an SPF 50+ sunscreen with zinc oxide. I use Elta MD UV Clear . The travel clinic I saw before my Africa trip advised insect repellant with 30% DEET.
Wide Brimmed Hat
Long Sleeved Shirts and Pants
Companies are now starting to produce more and more UPF 40+ shirts. The sun shirt is the new sunscreen that does not sweat or rub off! I purchased a lightweight moisture-wicking shirt from Orvis, which saved my skin during the 3-hour safari drive. Plus, it keeps you protected from mosquitoes.
Water Bottle + Snacks
Be prepared for an 11-hour day, so bring plenty of water and snacks. I also like to bring portable Gatorade packs to add to water when I’m feeling dehydrated.
Camera
Ideally, take a camera with a telephoto lens. I tried taking some photos with my iPhone, but the photos my husband took with our DSLR camera were far superior.
Cash
Tips for the tour guides
Packing Help
If you want a deeper breakdown of what to wear on safari and what is actually worth bringing, I’ve got you. My safari clothing guide covers pieces you’ll actually rewear at home, not one-time outfits you’ll regret packing.
You can also check out my full safari packing list to see every item that truly earned a spot in my bag.
Wearing a safari hat in Chobe National Park, Botswana
10- How to Book a Day Trip
You can book this tour through your hotel or local reputable companies. I had reached out to the TripAdvisor community, and they recommended Wild Horizons or Shearwater.
We went through Wild Horizons in Zimbabwe and had a great experience.
Since our visit, Maano Adventures (who has a 5.0 TripAdvisor rating with close to 300 reviews) is also offering the same tour through Get Your Guide.
11- Cost of a Chobe Day Trip
The cost when we went was $178 USD per person. This included transportation to/from your lodging, a guided river cruise, lunch, and then a guided safari jeep drive over the course of an 11-hour day.
Now, the cost is $190 USD per person.
Final Thoughts
Yes, doing Chobe National Park as a day trip from Victoria Falls is a long one.
We’ve done safaris in Sabi Sands in South Africa and the Serengeti in Tanzania, so I’m no stranger to early mornings and long drives, but this day still felt big.
That said, getting to experience both a river safari and a land safari in the same day at one of Africa’s top wildlife parks was incredible. The amount of wildlife you see makes the effort completely worth it.
And if you’re looking for more adrenaline-filled adventures from Victoria Falls, don’t miss my article on swimming in Devil’s Pool. It’s one of the wildest things I’ve ever done.
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about our Chobe National Park day trip experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
The article is very informative. Thanks
Happy to hear it was helpful! Chobe National Park is truly spectacular.
I completely agree. We only had time to spend a day at Chobe, but I would love to come back for several days to explore all it has to offer.