How far is Chobe from Victoria Falls?
Chobe National Park is roughly 80 kilometres from Victoria Falls town. The drive to the Kazungula border takes about an hour on a good tar road, then it is a short hop into Kasane, the Botswana town on the edge of the park.
How the day runs
Our Chobe day trip is a full day, and an early start makes the most of it. A typical day looks like this:
- About 07:00 — pick-up from your hotel or lodge in Victoria Falls
- About 08:00 — Zimbabwe exit and Botswana entry formalities at Kazungula (usually 20–60 minutes)
- Morning — boat cruise on the Chobe River: elephant, hippo, crocodile, buffalo and outstanding birdlife
- Midday — lunch at a riverside lodge in Kasane
- Afternoon — open-vehicle game drive along the Chobe riverfront
- Late afternoon — back through the border, arriving in Victoria Falls in the early evening
What you will see
The Chobe riverfront is famous for elephant, especially in the dry months from about July to October when large herds come down to drink and swim. You are also likely to see hippo, crocodile, buffalo, giraffe, kudu and many kinds of antelope, and the birdlife is excellent all year. Lion and leopard are seen on some days, but never guaranteed.
Visas and documents
You leave Zimbabwe and enter Botswana, so bring your passport — it should have at least six months' validity and several blank pages. Many nationalities do not need a visa for Botswana, but rules depend on your passport, so check before you travel.
If you hold a KAZA UNIVISA for Zimbabwe and Zambia, it allows day trips into Botswana through Kazungula and back on the same day, so you can return to Zimbabwe without buying a new visa. If you are on a single-entry Zimbabwe visa, you will need a new one to come back in — ask us and we will help you choose the right visa before you arrive.
Botswana charges visitors a tourism levy (USD 30 at the time of writing), which is not included in our day-trip price. Travelling with children? Bring their full birth certificates, as border officials may ask for them.
What to bring
- Passport (and children's birth certificates if applicable)
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses — there is little shade on the boat
- A warm layer for the early start in winter (May–August)
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens
- Some US dollars for drinks, tips and the Botswana levy
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip is a great taste of Chobe, but it is a long day with two border crossings. If you have time, spending one or two nights in Kasane lets you take the river at its best in the late afternoon and add an early-morning game drive. Our Three Rivers Safari and Best of Botswana packages include Chobe overnight stays.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls worth it?
Yes, if you love elephants. In one day you get a river cruise and a game drive in one of Africa's best elephant areas, just over an hour from the Falls.
How long does the Kazungula border crossing take?
Usually 20 to 60 minutes each way, depending on the time of day and how busy it is. Leaving early helps.
Do I need a visa for Botswana?
Many nationalities, including UK, EU and US passport holders, can enter visa-free for tourism, but it depends on your passport. Check before you travel, and remember you also need a valid way back into Zimbabwe.
What is the best time of year for Chobe?
July to October, in the dry season, when elephant gather along the river in their hundreds. The green season (December to March) is quieter, lusher and great for birds.
