Chobe National Park, across the border in Botswana, has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, and it is close enough to Livingstone for a day trip. Zambezi Dusk arranges it on request with a partner operator. The lodge is on Kazungula Road, the road to the border, which makes it a convenient place to start from.
How the day works
Most Chobe day trips follow the same pattern:
- Early pickup from the lodge and the drive west to the Kazungula border.
- Zambian exit formalities, then across the Kazungula Bridge over the Zambezi, opened in 2021, and into Botswana.
- Botswana entry, where your Botswana guide usually meets you.
- Morning boat cruise on the Chobe River.
- Lunch, often at a lodge in Kasane.
- Afternoon game drive in the park.
- Back across the border and home to the lodge by evening.
Kasane, the town on the edge of the park, is roughly 80 km from Livingstone by road. Expect a full day, often eight hours or more. Border queues can add time at either end.
What you see
The Chobe River front is the draw. In the dry season, when the bush inland has no water, animals come to the river in large numbers:
- Elephants, often in big breeding herds, drinking, swimming and crossing to the islands.
- Buffalo, sometimes in herds of hundreds.
- Hippos and crocodiles along the banks.
- Antelope: puku, waterbuck, kudu, impala and, with luck, sable.
- Lions are seen on some drives, but not reliably.
- Birds in large numbers, especially along the river.
The boat cruise and the game drive show you different sides of the park. From the boat you are at water level with elephants on the bank; on the drive you cover more ground.
When to go
- July to October is the peak. The bush is dry, animals come to the river, and the elephant numbers can be extraordinary. It is also the busiest time, and October is very hot.
- May and June are cooler, with good game as the bush starts to dry.
- November to April is the green season. Animals spread out once there is water inland, but the park is lush, the birding is strong and there are fewer vehicles.
Visas and border paperwork
Many nationalities can visit Botswana without a visa for a short stay. If you are already using the KAZA UniVisa for Zambia and Zimbabwe, it also covers a day trip into Botswana through Kazungula. You re-enter Zambia on the way back, so check that your Zambian entry allows it. The getting here page has more on visas.
Carry your passport, small US dollar notes for any fees, and some Botswana pula or dollars for drinks. Park fees are payable in Botswana and change from time to time; the operator will tell you the current figure.
Is it worth it?
If you are staying three nights or fewer and Chobe is a "nice to have", probably not: you already get daily boat safaris on the Zambezi from the lodge, and a long day at a border eats into your stay. If you are staying four nights or more and want big elephant herds, it is one of the best day trips in southern Africa.
Families should think about the length of the day. It suits older children better than very young ones; see family stays.
What to bring
- Layers: cold at dawn in June and July, hot by midday.
- A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom.
- Water and snacks for the drive.
- Your passport, and nothing in your bag that could cause trouble at customs, such as meat or fresh produce.
On the days either side, take it slowly: a boat safari from the lodge and an afternoon by the pool make a good recovery day.