Chobe River cruises at a glance
Boat cruises on the Chobe leave from Kasane. Operators run early-morning, midday and afternoon trips of about 3 hours. The afternoon trip doubles as a Chobe sunset cruise, because it runs into the evening light. Some trips include snacks, and the guide stops where animals gather on the bank.
Times and prices depend on the operator. The examples below are single offers as of 2026, not a fixed timetable. Check whether park fees are part of the price before you book.
Our picks: Chobe River cruises
Three boat trips on the river, from a short evening cruise to a longer ride with the park fee covered.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full-day Chobe safari from Livingstone
- Park entry
- 3-hour boat cruise
- Help at the border
Comfortable road transfer to the Botswana border, then an open 4x4 drive and a buffet. A Botswana visa may be extra, depending on your passport.
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Three-hour wildlife boat cruise on the Chobe River
- Park fees
- 3-hour boat cruise
- Guide
Time on the river for animals and birds, with photo stops. What you see depends on the day.
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Chobe River sunset cruise from Kasane
- Sunset boat trip
- Life jackets
- Soft drink and water
A short evening on the river, a low-cost way onto the water. Park entry is extra.
Check availability →Chobe River cruises and sunset boats
Boat cruises, sunset trips and combined drive-and-boat days, with live prices and availability.
Chobe boat cruise options compared
Examples as of 2026. Each row is one offer, not a market range.
| Option | Length and time | Group and extras | Price example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cruise | 3 hours, early morning, midday or afternoon | Minimum group of 4 | From $37 per person |
| Sunset cruise | 15:00 to 18:00 | Snacks included, drinks payable on board | BWP 308 to 371 per person |
| Premium boat | Check the booking page | Check what the price includes | BWP 950 to 1,135 per person |
| Drive and boat in one day | Full day | Morning drive, afternoon cruise, minimum group of 4 | BWP 1,150 to 2,760 per person, park fees excluded |
| Houseboat charter | At least 3 nights | Up to 8 guests, on the Namibian side | Price on request |
For most visitors, a 3-hour afternoon cruise is a good first boat trip: it is short, it runs in good light and it fits behind a morning game drive. If you care about photos, read the photographic safari page first, because special photo boats are a different product. Confirm the final price when you book.
The Chobe River from the water
What the bank looks like from a boat.
The Chobe forms the border between Botswana and Namibia along much of the riverfront. From a boat you see hippos in the channels, crocodiles on the banks and many water birds. Hippos and crocodiles live in the park, and more than 460 bird species are registered there. In the dry winter months elephants and buffalo come to drink and graze on the floodplain, so the bank is busy then. A sighting cannot be promised on any trip.
Boats do not land near animals. Park rules require a permit for the visitor and the boat, and forbid harassing animals. Swimming in park waters is not allowed. Your guide handles the boat permit, but keep the rules in mind if you ever hire a boat yourself. Boat fees are separate from visitor fees, and an entry of "N/A" in the tariff for foreign-registered motor boats is neither a free pass nor a permit.
Chobe sunset cruise
Why the late trip is popular.
A sunset cruise on the Chobe runs from about 15:00 to 18:00 in one example, so the boat is on the water through the golden hour. Snacks are included in that example and drinks are payable. Other operators set other times, so read the departure time, not just the name. The light is the main reason to book it, and the animals on the bank are a bonus you cannot plan.
Combine the boat with a morning drive on the safari page, or book a day trip if you stay across the border: the Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls includes a boat cruise. The Chobe Riverfront page explains the area you are cruising along.
Houseboat on the Chobe
Sleeping on the water, usually on the Namibian side.
A Chobe houseboat is a different trip from a day cruise. A Chobe houseboat lies on the Namibian side of the river. A private charter is for at least 3 nights and up to 8 guests, with the price on request. Houseboat trips can include photo boat outings at first light and a few hours before sunset.
Immigration matters. Houseboat operators work to Kasane and Namibia immigration hours of 07:30 to 16:30, with 16:00 as the latest recommended arrival. A game drive in the Botswana park means entering and leaving again. Germans have needed a visa for Namibia since 1 April 2025, and a stay in Botswana does not cover it. The where to stay page has more on houseboats and camps.
Chobe River cruise: frequently asked questions
How long is a Chobe River cruise?
A standard cruise lasts about 3 hours. Operators run trips in the early morning, at midday and in the afternoon. A sunset cruise in one example runs from 15:00 to 18:00.
How much does a Chobe boat cruise cost?
Examples for 2026 start at $37 per person for a 3-hour cruise with a minimum group of 4. A sunset cruise in one example costs BWP 308 to 371 per person, and a premium boat BWP 950 to 1,135. Check what the price includes, including park fees.
Will I see elephants from the boat?
Often in the dry winter months, when elephants and buffalo come to the river, but no trip can guarantee it. Hippos, crocodiles and water birds are the typical things to watch from the water.
Can I swim in the Chobe River?
No. The park rules forbid water sports including swimming in park waters, apart from approved lodge pools, and general travel advice also warns against swimming in rivers and lakes.
Is a sunset cruise worth it?
It suits you if the light matters more than the time on land. The trip runs into the evening, and the guide still stops for animals on the bank. Check the departure time, because the operators differ.
Do I need a permit for a Chobe boat trip?
Park rules require a permit for the visitor and for the boat. On a guided cruise the operator arranges the boat permit; check whether the park fee is part of the price.