How a Chobe safari works
Most visitors base themselves in Kasane and drive into the Chobe Riverfront, the part of the park closest to town. A guided game drive lasts about 3 hours, and drives run in the morning and again in the afternoon. The park is also open to self-drive visitors with a 4x4, though the inland areas need more planning.
Prices differ by operator and are not one park tariff. The examples below show what single offers cost in 2026, and park fees are a separate item. Check on every booking page whether park fees are included.
Our picks: Chobe safaris
Game drives from Kasane and Victoria Falls, from three hours to a full day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. 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.
Chobe game drive from Victoria Falls
- Guided Chobe game drive
- Hotel pickup and return
- Park transfers
Lunch and the boat cruise belong only to the full-day or extended options, so check which one you book. Park fees and visa are extra.
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Full-day Chobe safari from Kasane
- Boat safari
- Open 4x4 game drive
- Hotel pickup
A small group of up to eight with a guide and lunch buffet, starting from your hotel in Kasane. Park entry and government tax are paid on top.
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Three-hour Chobe game drive from Kasane
- Park fee included
- Shared transfer
- Snacks and drinks
A short drive on the Chobe side for anyone based in Kasane, with the park fee already covered.
Check availability →Chobe safari and game drive tours
Guided game drives, combined drive-and-boat days and full-day trips, with live prices and availability.
Chobe game drive options compared
Examples as of 2026. Each row is one offer, not a market range.
| Option | Length | What to expect | Price example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided morning drive | About 3 hours, 06:00 to 09:00 | Vehicle with a guide, starting in Kasane | BWP 308 to 371 per person |
| Guided afternoon drive | About 3 hours | Offered alongside the morning drive | Check the booking page |
| 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 |
| Self-drive with a 4x4 | Your own pace | Hire a 4x4 in Kasane, pay park fees at the gate | Vehicle hire plus park fees |
| Day trip from Victoria Falls | About 07:00 to 18:00 | Border crossing, boat, drive and lunch | From $229 per person, minimum 2 |
For most first-time visitors, a guided morning drive plus an afternoon river cruise is the simplest plan: the guide handles the route, and the boat gives a second view of the same animals. If you want to drive yourself, a 4x4 is the vehicle that local hire companies offer for Chobe. The day trip from Victoria Falls suits you if you sleep on the Zambian or Zimbabwean side.
Park hours and driving rules
What applies inside the park.
Opening hours
From 1 April to 30 September the park is open from 06:00 to 18:30. From 1 October to 31 March it is open from 05:30 to 19:00. These are the hours for park visits, not a promise of access to every road.
Speed limits
The limit is 40 km/h inside the park and 80 km/h on the signed tarred transit route. Lower signs on site apply.
Night driving
The road between the Sedudu and Ngoma gates has been open for 24-hour transit since 1 April 2025. That is a through road, not a night game drive. Night driving in the park is allowed only under the set exceptions.
No swimming, no walking in the bush
The park regulations forbid water sports including swimming in park waters, apart from approved lodge pools. You may leave the vehicle only at designated facilities or under a permit.
Chobe self-drive safari
What to plan if you drive yourself.
Local companies in Kasane hire 4x4 vehicles for self-drive safaris in Chobe. The Chobe Riverfront is the easier part. Savute lies inland, and the road there needs careful planning because of deep sand: about 165 km from Kasane, with 4 to 5 hours as a planning figure, not a fixed driving time. After rain, sand and mud change the times a lot. Camping inside the park is booked in advance through the operator of each site, and you may not choose a spot freely.
Entry fees apply per person and per vehicle. A foreign-registered private vehicle under 3,500 kg pays BWP 115 per day under the tariff valid since April 2022, in addition to BWP 270 per person and day for private non-resident visitors. The park fees page has the full table. Cash in Botswana pula is the safe choice at the gate, because card payment is not guaranteed.
What you can expect to see
Chances, not promises.
The Chobe Riverfront has large herds of elephants and buffalo in the dry winter months, when they gather at the river. Puku, sable antelope, roan antelope, lions, leopards, hippos and crocodiles all live in the park, and wild dogs are found in Chobe too. A sighting of any one species cannot be guaranteed on a given drive.
Keep a bird list as well: the park has more than 460 registered bird species. The wildlife page and the elephant page go deeper. If you want to compare a drive with a trip on the water, read the river cruise page.
Chobe safari: frequently asked questions
How long is a Chobe game drive?
A guided drive lasts about 3 hours. A morning drive often runs from 06:00 to 09:00, and afternoon drives are offered as well. A day that combines a drive and a boat cruise is a full day.
How much does a Chobe safari cost?
It depends on the operator and the length. Examples for 2026 run from about BWP 308 to 371 per person for a 3-hour guided drive to $229 per person for a day trip from Victoria Falls. Park fees are a separate item unless the booking page says they are included.
Can I do a self-drive safari in Chobe?
Yes, with a 4x4 hired in Kasane. Plan carefully for sand on the inland roads, keep to the speed limits and pay the park fees per person and per vehicle. Night driving in the park is allowed only under the set exceptions.
What is the best time for a Chobe safari?
The dry winter months bring large herds to the river. The rainy season runs from November to March, with heavy rain and affected roads. See the season page for monthly temperatures and rain.
Do I need a guide?
No rule requires one, and local companies hire 4x4 vehicles for self-drive. A guide helps with finding animals and with the sandy inland tracks. Guided drives start at about 3 hours.
Is this the official Chobe safari website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, a lodge or a safari company.