Cool Dry Winter
High24°C
Rain0mm
Chilly morning game drives, warm sunny days. Elephants cluster at rivers.
Chobe National Park
Africa's highest concentration of elephants roaming along the riverfront, explored from silent electric boats.
- Region
- Chobe National Park, near Kasane — northern Botswana
- Getting there
- Kasane Airport (BBK) / Road transfer from Victoria Falls (~1.5 hours)
- Known for
- Flagship destination — Big Five wildlife, river cruising
01Elephant Stronghold
Why travel to Chobe National Park
Chobe has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa — herds of several hundred are a real possibility along the riverfront in the dry season — and it sits close enough to Victoria Falls that it's the single easiest "proper safari" to bolt onto a falls trip. Most travellers experience Chobe via its riverfront section, where a boat cruise along the Chobe River delivers eye-level wildlife encounters (elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, and a huge variety of birdlife) without ever leaving the water, paired with a 4x4 game drive through the park itself.
For travellers with more time, Chobe is also the gateway to Botswana's wider safari country — Savuti and Linyanti to the south and west — and to houseboat experiences on the Chobe/Zambezi confluence aboard vessels like the Zambezi Queen.
For travellers with more time, Chobe is also the gateway to Botswana's wider safari country — Savuti and Linyanti to the south and west — and to houseboat experiences on the Chobe/Zambezi confluence aboard vessels like the Zambezi Queen.
Base camp
Our operations desk in Victoria Falls handles transfers, permits and border crossings into Chobe National Park.
Talk to the desk02When to go
The seasons of Chobe National Park
Average daytime highs and monthly rainfall, so you can match the season to what you want to see.
Hot Dry Spring
High37°C
Rain2mm
Elephant peak. Hundreds gather along the Chobe River floodplains.
Green Summer Rains
High32°C
Rain105mm
Emerald bush, calving season, beautiful birds, wildlife disperses.
Autumn Transition
High28°C
Rain15mm
Grasslands dry to gold. Cooling days, quiet and uncrowded shoulder.
03Highlights
Don't leave Chobe National Park without
The landmarks and experiences that define Chobe National Park.
04Activities
Things to do in Chobe National Park
Book them on their own or fold them into a tailored itinerary.
Chobe Day Trip from Victoria Falls
Embark on an unforgettable full-day safari adventure to Chobe National Park in Botswana, renowned for hosting the largest concentration of elephants in Africa, estimated between 50,000 and 120,000. This action-packed day trip from Victoria Falls offers two distinct wildlife viewing experiences. Begin with a serene morning water safari on the Chobe River, allowing you to glide within meters of massive elephant herds, pods of hippos, and basking crocodiles without disturbance. After a delicious buffet lunch at a beautiful riverfront lodge, transition to an exhilarating open 4x4 game drive through the park's riverfront forests. Here, you'll track Chobe's iconic big cats, massive buffalo herds, diverse antelope species like kudu and impala, and a spectacular array of birdlife, including fish eagles and kingfishers. We understand that a cross-border day trip can seem complex, especially with an early start and customs procedures. That's why we meticulously handle all logistics. A comfortable, closed transfer vehicle will pick you up from your Victoria Falls hotel and take you to the Kazungula border, approximately 75-80 km away. Our local representative will meet you there to guide you seamlessly through immigration. Once in Botswana, you'll be introduced to our trusted, professional local guides who possess intimate knowledge of every bend of the Chobe River and every track within the park, ensuring optimal wildlife sightings. This immersive experience is particularly rewarding during the dry season (May to October) when animals congregate along the river. We'll ensure a smooth return across the border in the late afternoon, bringing your incredible safari day to a close.
Chobe Overnight Safari
For travelers seeking an immersive wildlife experience beyond a day trip, the Chobe Overnight Camping Safari offers an extended adventure in Botswana's renowned Chobe National Park. This 2-day, 1-night safari provides more time for game viewing, a night under Botswana's spectacular starscape, and the opportunity to experience the Chobe River at the optimal light of day. Guests will enjoy multiple game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, exploring diverse landscapes from floodplains to savanna in search of lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and the park's famous elephant herds. A highlight is the Chobe River cruise, offering close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife, with elephants and buffalo frequently seen drinking and bathing. Camps, while not luxurious, are perfectly comfortable, featuring pre-erected canvas safari tents with mattresses and duvets. Dinner is prepared and served around a campfire, allowing guests to fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush. The extra time on safari is invaluable, allowing for early-morning and late-afternoon drives when animals are most active, maximizing wildlife encounters in this biologically diverse park, home to Africa's largest concentration of elephants and over 450 bird species.
Chobe River Sunset Cruise
The classic way to end a day in Chobe. You board a shaded, flat-bottomed boat at the Kasane riverfront and drift west along the Chobe River into the national park as the afternoon cools. This stretch of river is where Chobe's famous elephant herds come down to drink, bathe and swim across to the grassy islands, and the boat lets you watch from water level, often just metres away. Expect pods of hippo, large Nile crocodiles on the sandbanks, buffalo grazing the Sedudu floodplain and exceptional birdlife, from African fish eagles to carmine bee-eaters in season. The cruise is timed so you're on the water for golden hour and the sun sets over the floodplain before you return to Kasane. It pairs perfectly with a morning game drive for a full day in the park.
Chobe Photographic Boat Safari
Built for photographers, this boat safari uses purpose-built photo boats with centrally aligned, fully rotating seats, each fitted with a custom camera mount and gimbal so you can shoot heavy lenses steadily from water level. A photo host travels with you, positioning the boat for the best light and angles and coaching you on settings as the action unfolds. Chobe's wildlife is calm and habituated to boats, which means elephants swimming, hippos yawning, kingfishers diving and buffalo on the floodplain can all be photographed at close range without disturbance. Whether you're an experienced shooter or a beginner with a new camera, it's one of the most productive wildlife photography sessions in Southern Africa.
Chobe Half-Day Game Drive
Head into Chobe National Park through Sedudu Gate in an open-sided 4x4 for a three-hour game drive along the riverfront, the most wildlife-dense part of the park. Early mornings are prime time for predators still active after the night - lion prides and, with luck, leopard - while afternoons bring large breeding herds of elephant and buffalo down to the water. Your guide reads tracks and alarm calls to find sightings and explains the ecology of the riverine woodland and floodplain as you go. Look out for giraffe, sable and roan antelope, puku (found almost nowhere else in Botswana), kudu, warthog and a huge variety of birds. It's a short, efficient way to experience a classic Big Five safari if you're staying in Kasane.
Chobe River Tiger Fishing
Test yourself against the tiger fish, Africa's most famous freshwater game fish, on a guided fishing trip on the Chobe River. Known for its razor teeth, explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps, the tiger fish is a genuine challenge on light tackle. Your guide knows the channels, drop-offs and backwaters where they hunt and will have you casting lures or drifting baits within minutes of leaving Kasane. Bream and catfish are also common catches. All fishing is catch-and-release to protect the river's fish stocks, and because you're on the water inside one of Africa's best wildlife areas, elephants, hippos and fish eagles are part of the scenery. No experience needed - beginners are welcome.
Chobe Princess Houseboat Safari
Spend two or three nights living on the Chobe River aboard the Chobe Princess, an intimate all-suite houseboat that cruises the waterways bordering Chobe National Park. Each suite has its own private view of the river, so you wake to elephants on the banks and fall asleep to the sound of hippos. Days are built around the river: tender-boat game viewing along the park's edge, guided fishing for tiger fish, birding and relaxing on the sundeck, with a cultural tour of a local village included. Meals are prepared on board and served as the sun goes down over the floodplain. It's one of the most relaxed and immersive ways to experience Chobe, and an easy extension to a Victoria Falls trip.
05Accommodation
Camps & lodges in Chobe National Park
Properties we have stayed at and trust, chosen for their location, guiding and hosting.
Safari Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge is a five-star, eco-tourism certified, permanent game lodge located directly on the banks of the Chobe River inside Chobe National Park, Botswana. It holds the unique distinction of being the only lodge actually inside Chobe National Park, giving guests a head start on wildlife viewing every morning and evening when day visitors must leave. Set on the riverfront where Chobe's legendary elephant herds gather, the lodge is a graceful, Moorish-influenced building with 44 river-facing rooms and four luxurious suites, all with private terraces. It's known for its pioneering all-female guiding team and electric game-drive vehicles and boats, allowing for silent wildlife approaches. Fully inclusive rates cover game drives, river cruises, meals, and drinks — an unbeatable position for Chobe's famous riverfront wildlife.
Check availabilityHouseboat
Chobe Princesses
The Chobe Princesses are a fleet of three luxury houseboats offering an intimate river safari experience on the Chobe River, which forms a natural border between Botswana and Namibia. Each houseboat features air-conditioned cabin suites with private balconies, an open-plan lounge and bar, an open-air dining area, and a plunge pool on the upper entertainment deck. Guests explore the Chobe by smaller tender boats for flexible activities such as water-based game viewing, fishing, birdwatching, photographic safaris, and cultural excursions. Their smaller scale makes them ideal for families or small groups wanting an exclusive-use option.
Check availabilityRiver Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge
Botswana's oldest safari property, established in 1959, Chobe Safari Lodge is a popular and well-located mid-range option in Kasane. Situated on the banks of the Chobe River, bordering Chobe National Park, it provides excellent access for Chobe River cruises and game drives into the park. The lodge offers a variety of accommodation types, including Safari Rooms, Bush Rooms, River Rooms, Rondavels, and suites, most featuring air-conditioning, private balconies or patios, mini-bar fridges, and Wi-Fi. On-site facilities include a large swimming pool, multiple dining options, and the Botswana Elephant Centre. The lodge is renowned for its proximity to Chobe National Park's large elephant population and diverse wildlife.
Check availabilityTented Camp
Elephant Valley Lodge
Elephant Valley Lodge is nestled in the Lesoma Valley, within the Kasane Forest Reserve, a vital wildlife corridor connecting Chobe National Park and Zimbabwe's national parks. This private concession is renowned for its large elephant populations, which frequently visit the lodge's waterhole. The lodge offers a tranquil, wildlife-focused experience with easy access to both Chobe National Park and the Victoria Falls/Kasane corridor. Accommodation consists of 20 spacious tented chalets, including eight "Valley Tents" with waterhole views and twelve "Forest Tents" set around lush lawns and a swimming pool. Each tent features an en-suite shower and toilet, tea/coffee facilities, a fan, charging points, and a private veranda. The main communal areas, shaded by acacia trees, include an open lounge, bar, elevated viewing deck, and dining areas, all overlooking the active waterhole. Guests can enjoy two swimming pools and a traditional outdoor boma for evening meals. Fully inclusive rates cover game activities, meals, and drinks.
Check availabilitySafari Lodge
Muchenje Safari Lodge
Muchenje Safari Lodge is an owner-operated lodge situated on an escarpment at the quieter western end of the Chobe Forest Reserve, offering sweeping views of the Chobe River and its floodplains. It provides a personal, intimate safari experience away from the busier eastern riverfront. The lodge features 11 thatched, en-suite chalets, each with a private balcony and river views. Warm hospitality and access to a less-visited section of the park mean game drives here feel exclusive and unhurried. Fully inclusive rates cover activities, meals, and drinks, offering good value for a genuine, personable Chobe safari.
Check availabilitySafari Lodge
Ngoma Safari Lodge
Ngoma Safari Lodge is a 5-star luxury accommodation, offering an upscale and private alternative to busier riverfront lodges. Perched on an escarpment in the Chobe Forest Reserve, it provides sweeping panoramic views over the seasonal Chobe floodplain and the Chobe River. The lodge features a handful of spacious, river-facing suites, each with a private plunge pool, large luxury bath, and indoor and outdoor showers. Guests enjoy access to a quieter section of the park away from the crowds, with fully inclusive rates covering game drives, river activities, meals, and drinks. The lodge is approximately 55 km from Kasane and is designed to blend into its natural surroundings with thatch roofs and volcanic rock finishes. It is a joint community and privately funded project, developed with the Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT), ensuring direct benefits to the local community.
Check availabilityHouseboat
Zambezi Queen
Experience the Chobe River from a new perspective aboard the Zambezi Queen, a 42-meter floating boutique hotel offering an unparalleled five-star safari. With only 14 luxurious, air-conditioned suites—comprising 10 standard suites and 4 larger master suites with private balconies—this vessel guarantees an intimate and exclusive journey along the border of Botswana's Chobe National Park and Namibia's Caprivi Strip. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the spectacular landscape and its resident wildlife are always in view, whether you are relaxing in your suite or enjoying a drink on the upper deck. The entire experience is designed for seamless immersion in nature, operating on scheduled 2-night or 3-night itineraries. Days are spent on flexible, water-based excursions: glide past massive herds of elephants on small tender boats, try your hand at seasonal catch-and-release fishing for the formidable Tigerfish, or join a cultural tour of a local Namibian village. Unlike a traditional land-based lodge, the scenery is ever-changing, offering a constant, panoramic view of wild Africa. Evenings are a highlight, with gourmet meals and fine wines served in the elegant dining room, followed by stargazing from the open-air deck. With eco-friendly features like solar-heated hot water, a water-jet propulsion system, and silent battery power at night, the Zambezi Queen offers a safari that is as sophisticated and comfortable as it is respectful of its pristine environment.
Check availabilityTented Camp
Linyanti Ebony
Nestled on the banks of the Linyanti Marsh in a vast private concession, Linyanti Ebony offers an intimate and exclusive safari experience. With just three luxury tented suites and one dedicated two-bedroom family suite, the camp guarantees personal attention and an atmosphere of serene seclusion. Built on raised wooden decking, each tent provides sweeping views of the floodplains, where vast herds of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife are a constant presence. The spacious family unit includes two adjoining bedrooms, a self-contained lounge, a private viewing deck, and a freestanding bath. The main lodge, an open-sided canvas structure, houses a comfortable lounge, library, and dining area, all flowing towards a plunge pool and campfire boma perfect for evening storytelling under the stars. The real magic of Linyanti Ebony lies in its location within the Chobe Enclave, a private reserve that permits activities forbidden in the national park. Here, your safari goes beyond the beaten track with thrilling off-road day and night game drives, guided walking safaris that connect you to the earth, and bird watching. The camp is renowned for its dense populations of elephant, lion, wild dog, and leopard. Seasonal water activities, including mokoro excursions and boat safaris on the Linyanti Wetlands, offer a different perspective on this dynamic ecosystem when water levels permit. Catch-and-release fishing is also available. Linyanti Ebony is exceptionally welcoming to families, featuring a 'Ngwana Club' to engage young explorers with bush crafts, nature walks, arts and crafts, and cooking lessons. It is an ideal choice for multi-generational groups seeking an exclusive-use buyout, as well as couples and honeymooners desiring a private, authentic bush retreat. A complimentary 30-minute scenic helicopter flight for stays of three nights or more (between April and November) provides a breathtaking aerial view of the Linyanti's intricate waterways, cementing this as an unforgettable Botswana safari.
Check availability06Good to know
Questions, answered
Planning a trip to Chobe National Park?
Tell us your dates and travel style. Our team in Victoria Falls will put together a route, camps and transfers that work for you.
For day trips through the Kazungula border on a KAZA Univisa, most eligible nationalities can enter Botswana without an additional visa for the day. Standard Botswana requirements apply for overnights.
Yes — it's the most efficient way to add genuine Big Five safari content to a falls-focused trip. The river cruise format offers high-quality sightings without exhausting road hours.
The riverfront is easily accessible and delivers reliable, high-volume wildlife close to Kasane. Savuti and Linyanti are remote, wilder, fly-in only, and suited for predator action.
Botswana Pula (BWP) is the local currency, but USD and South African Rand are widely accepted in tourism areas. Credit cards are accepted at all lodges.
Chobe Game Lodge utilizes Africa's first all-electric silent safari fleet (boats and 4x4s) to reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution. Zambezi Thunder strictly partners with operators dedicated to community empowerment, low-impact carbon footprinting, and long-term wildlife protection.