Chobe National Park is home to Africa's largest elephant population, where herds gather at the river's edge in scenes you'll never forget. Our expert guides will take you on game drives and boat safaris to spot lions, hippos, and incredible birdlife along the Chobe River. These authentic safari adventures create memories that last a lifetime.
Our Chobe tours deliver Africa's biggest elephant herds—up to 120,000 strong—breaching the river in massive groups alongside lions, hippos, and crocs on 9-11 hour game drives and boat safaris from Victoria Falls.
Cross Kazungula Bridge after immigration, morning game cruise spotting elephant herds and hippos along Chobe River, buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge, afternoon 4x4 drive for Big 5 encounters, hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, guide and park fees included.
Chobe’s famous elephant paradise from Victoria Falls – early countryside transfer to Africa’s highest-density elephant area, river cruise + open 4x4 game drive for Big Five and massive herds, hotel pickup, guide, buffet lunch, water and double-entry visas included (full day).
Chobe National Park full-day adventure from Victoria Falls – open-vehicle game drive + river cruise (order chosen daily for best sightings), spot lions, leopards, wild dogs, elephant river crossings and huge buffalo herds, unlimited lunch with park views, hotel pickup, border help, expert guides and all transfers included (full day).
Our all-day Chobe tours combine dawn game drives through elephant-packed floodplains with afternoon boat cruises eye-level with drinking herds, lions, buffalo, and pods of hippos.
Chobe National Park full-day trip from Victoria Falls – seamless border crossings and logistics handled, morning safari game drive spotting elephant herds, lions, cheetahs and giraffes, buffet lunch with park views, afternoon boat cruise for buffaloes and hippos, professional guide, bottled water and hotel pickup/drop-off included (full day).
Chobe National Park from Livingstone – 3.5-hour morning river cruise with elephant herds and lions, riverside buffet lunch, 3.5-hour open-vehicle afternoon game drive for buffalo, predators and birds, hotel pickup, drinks, border assistance and park fees included (full day).
Chobe National Park from Victoria Falls – seamless border transfer, 3-hour morning 4x4 game drive for lions & elephants, buffet lunch, 3-hour afternoon river cruise with hippos and herds up close, A/C transport, water and all fees included (full day).
Our multi-day Chobe tours include overnight stays inside or riverside, sunrise and sunset game drives across Serondela, Ngoma, and the marsh zones, plus extra boat safaris for close-up elephant swims and predator action.
Victoria Falls, Chobe & Hwange combo – Zambezi sunset cruise with drinks, Chobe morning game drive + river boat cruise and riverbank lunch, full-day Hwange safari with village visit and watering-hole hides, exclusive sunrise Victoria Falls tour, 3 nights accommodation, breakfast, select lunches, park fees and max 9 guests (4 days).
Zambia-Zimbabwe-Botswana highlights – white rhino tracking on foot in Mosi-oa-Tunya, Livingstone Museum, Victoria Falls from both sides, Mukuni Village cultural visit, full-day Chobe safari with morning game drive and afternoon river cruise for lions, elephants, hippos and crocs, professional guides, transport, park fees and Day 3 meals included (3 days).
Triple-country adventure – Victoria Falls rainforest trek from both sides, Zambezi sunset cruise, Chobe National Park game drives for Big 5 and elephant herds, Livingstone market visit, 4 nights lodge stay with daily breakfast, select meals, airport transfers and all entrance fees included.
Immersive Chobe bush camping safari – two nights under the stars inside the park, 4x4 game drives and river cruises for elephants, lions, hippos and Big 5, expert trackers, roaring night sounds, Chef Pete’s fresh bread, homemade meals and South African wines around the campfire, comfortable walk-in tents with bedding, mobile shower/toilet, all meals and transfers from Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane included.
Botswana’s ultimate safari across four ecosystems – Chobe River Front boat and game drives with huge elephant herds at exclusive in-park Chobe Game Lodge, Savute Marsh predator action, Moremi land and water activities, Okavango Delta mokoro canoe safaris, 8 nights full-board at premium lodges included.
Southern Africa highlights safari (6 days): 3 days Hwange with full-day + night game drives for big cats and huge herds, Victoria Falls guided tour + market + Zambezi sunset cruise, full-day Chobe river cruise + 4x4 drive for lions & leopards, accommodation, breakfast, select meals and transfers included.
Our Chobe bush camping tours put you in dome tents right inside the park, falling asleep to lion roars and waking to elephant trumpets, with full-day guided 4×4 safaris, river cruises, hot bucket showers, and braai dinners around the fire.
Overnight Chobe + Victoria Falls combo: sunrise guided tour of the Falls, transfer to Chobe for afternoon river cruise, bush dinner and camping inside the park, early-morning game drive with bush breakfast spotting Big 5 and plains game, hotel pickup, safari tent, most meals, water and park fees included.
Lesoma Village 2-day Chobe safari from Livingstone/Victoria Falls: stay inside an unfenced wildlife corridor, village tour with school & clinic visits, traditional lunch, afternoon Chobe River boat cruise, night drive for nocturnal animals, bush camping with bonfire, sunrise 5-hour game drive, all transfers, meals, park fees and activities included.
Chobe overnight camping safari – multiple game drives + river cruise tracking lions, leopards, elephants and hippos, comfortable tents inside the park with lion roars and hippo grunts at night, campfire dinners and sunrise coffee, expert guides, all meals and transfers from Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane included (2 days/1 night, max 16 guests).
Chobe gives you Africa in high definition. Four thousand elephants wander down to the river at sunset, looking like a slow-motion parade. Lions nap on the floodplain in plain sight, wild dogs tear across the grass with bloody faces, and hippos yawn so wide you can count their teeth. Jump between sunrise boat cruises and afternoon game drives, and you’ll see more in three days than most people see in three safaris. With Chobe Tours you stay inside the park or right on the riverbank, small groups only, guides who can name every elephant by its ears, and cold sundowners in hand while the sky turns pink behind ten thousand drinking animals.
Witness the largest elephant population in Africa, with massive herds gathering along the Chobe River in breathtaking numbers.
Track lions, leopards, and cheetahs across the savanna with expert guides who know where these magnificent predators roam.
Glide along the river at sunset, observing hippos, crocodiles, and elephants from the water in their natural habitat.
Immerse yourself in African bush culture with experienced local guides, traditional accommodations, and genuine Botswana hospitality.
Our expert team has been helping travelers from the US and Canada discover and book Chobe safari experiences for over a decade, ensuring your African adventure is seamless with everything arranged before you arrive.
With deep knowledge of Botswana's wildlife and ecosystems, partnerships with the most experienced local guides and safari operators, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, we're committed to making your safari journey truly extraordinary. From your first inquiry to your last game drive, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Chobe Tours is honored by travelers and wildlife conservation organizations
Travelers' Choice Award
2023
Guest Experience Excellence
Best Safari Operator Botswana
2024
Outstanding Wildlife Tour Service
Chobe Conservation Tourism Award
The dry season (May to October) is peak season for wildlife viewing, especially for elephants congregating along the Chobe River as animals gather near permanent water sources. This period offers excellent game viewing with clear skies and easier animal spotting. The wet season (November to March) brings greener landscapes, fewer tourists, and exceptional birdwatching opportunities, though wildlife disperses as water becomes abundant throughout the park. For the Chobe Riverfront, visit May-October; for Savuti (known for predators), any time works well, including the rainy summer season. Plan to stay at least a few days to experience morning game drives, afternoon boat cruises, and the park's diverse ecosystems.
Chobe is famous for having one of Africa's largest elephant populations, with thousands migrating to the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers during dry season, sometimes traveling all the way from Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. You'll encounter massive buffalo herds, lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, impalas, giraffes, kudus, warthogs, and blue wildebeest year-round. Reintroduced white rhinos are gradually spreading through the park—spot one if you're lucky! With over 450 bird species including fish eagles, kingfishers, storks, herons, and bee-eaters, Chobe is a birdwatcher's paradise. Night drives reveal nocturnal creatures like bushbabies, African wildcats, and honey badgers.
Chobe consists of distinct ecosystems, each offering unique experiences. The Chobe Riverfront is the most accessible area with the highest wildlife concentration, famous for massive elephant herds, boat safaris, and riverine species like hippos and crocodiles. The Savuti area in south-central Chobe is known as "predator capital" with abundant lions, leopards, wild dogs, and spectacular zebra migrations (late November/December and February/March) along the recently re-flowing Savuti Channel. The Linyanti Marshes offer a more remote, predator-rich wilderness experience. Each area has different vegetation—from lush riverine forests to thick thorny bushes to open broadleaf woodlands—creating diverse habitats across the park's 10,700 km².
Chobe offers diverse safari experiences including land-based game drives in open-sided 4x4 vehicles for spotting elephants, lions, and other wildlife across different terrains. Boat safaris on the Chobe River provide unique perspectives, especially afternoon sunset cruises during dry season when elephant herds come to drink—choose small motorboats for maneuverability or larger pontoons for comfort and better views. Guided bush walks allow intimate wildlife encounters (check minimum age requirements). Some lodges offer thrilling night drives on their properties to spot nocturnal animals. With over 450 bird species, birdwatching is exceptional year-round, especially summer months. Combine morning and late afternoon activities for the best wildlife viewing.
Yes! Chobe offers incredible family bonding experiences, though planning is essential. Prepare children by discussing the trip beforehand, showing wildlife pictures, creating animal checklists, and involving them in packing to build excitement and responsibility. Since lodges are in unfenced wilderness, safety restrictions apply—always check minimum age requirements for camps, game drives, and guided walks, as these vary by property. Family highlights include waking up with wildlife roaming outside your suite, reminiscing under star-studded skies, and experiencing Africa's biggest natural playground together. Choose family-friendly lodges with appropriate facilities and activities designed for younger guests to ensure everyone enjoys this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Fly into Kasane International Airport (overlooking the Chobe River), which receives flights from Maun, Johannesburg, and Gaborone, then transfer by road to your safari accommodation. Alternatively, fly into Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe (only 70km/1 hour away), making it easy to combine Chobe with a Victoria Falls visit. The Savuti region in central Chobe is accessed by charter flights from Kasane, Maun, or the Okavango Delta, or by road as part of mobile camping safaris. Most transfers and logistics are arranged by lodges or tour operators, ensuring seamless connections between destinations.
Yes, Chobe is located in a high-risk malaria zone. It's essential to consult your doctor well before traveling to discuss antimalarial medication options. Take precautions including using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants (especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active), sleeping under mosquito nets, and staying in screened accommodations when possible. Most lodges take extensive measures to minimize mosquito exposure, but personal protection remains crucial for a safe and healthy safari experience.
Pack light, casual clothing in neutral colors (khaki, beige, olive) that blend with the environment. Essential items include: wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for sun protection; windbreaker or fleece for cool mornings and evenings; comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking; high-SPF sunscreen and lip balm; insect repellent; binoculars for wildlife and bird viewing; camera with zoom lens and extra batteries/memory cards; and any personal medications including antimalarials. Many lodges offer laundry service, so you can pack light. Avoid bright colors and camouflage patterns (camouflage is illegal in Botswana). Most lodges provide specific packing lists upon booking.
We recommend staying at least 2-4 days to fully experience Chobe's diverse offerings. This allows time for multiple morning and late afternoon game drives (when animals are most active), at least one boat cruise on the Chobe River, and exploration of different park areas. If possible, include both the Chobe Riverfront and Savuti region for contrasting experiences—riverine wildlife versus predator-rich bushveld. Longer stays increase chances of exceptional wildlife encounters and let you appreciate the park's varied ecosystems at a relaxed pace rather than feeling rushed between activities.
Boat cruises offer one of the best ways to see Chobe's legendary elephant herds during dry season afternoons when hundreds come to the riverbanks to drink, bathe, and play. From the water, you'll also spot hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, and incredible birdlife including fish eagles, kingfishers, and African skimmers at close range. Choose small motorboats for maneuverability and intimate encounters, or larger pontoons and double-decker boats for comfort, stability, and elevated views—perfect for sunset cruises with sundowners. The river perspective provides unique photographic opportunities and a peaceful contrast to land-based game drives, making it an essential Chobe experience.
