Chobe Travel Guide
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A CHOBE SAFARI
Botswana is one of the safest countries to visit in Africa and a world-class safari destination.
Almost half of Botswana's land has been allocated as protected wilderness and national parks, so animal life abounds. Before you embark on your journey, here are the relevant health and travel requirements to consider.
Let's make the trip of your wildest dreams come true!
What to expect on a Botswana safari
English is the official language of Botswana, but most people you meet also speak Setswana. Greet them in local lingo by saying, 'Dumela!'
Visit Chobe National Park and behold the breathtaking Chobe River. The second-largest park in Botswana is renowned for its outstanding game viewing all year round and one of the highest concentrations of wild elephants anywhere in Africa. Admire the buffalo herds, endless elephant parades and hippos chewing on the soft grass on an unforgettable sedate sundowner boat cruise.
From Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, it's a short hop across the border to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to feel the spray of the mighty Mosi-Oa-Tunya. Victoria Falls was first known by this title in the local indigenous Tonga language and translated to "the smoke that thunders."
What activities are on offer in Chobe?
Boat cruises, bridge tours, birding and so much more. Both our Chobe lodges offer fantastic variety! Activities range from the classic sunset cruises on the Chobe River that bring you breathtakingly close to elephants, hippos, crocodiles and the beautiful water birds of Botswana to game drives in the Chobe National Park, which are available in the mornings and late afternoons.
Half-day and full-day game drives are also on offer, as well as private river cruises that cater to focused interests such as birdwatching in the early mornings. Day trips to the iconic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and tiger fishing trips along the Kasai channel in Namibia are also easily arranged with pick-ups from our front door. Then there’s the new boat trip that takes you underneath the modern marvel of the Kazungula Bridge and our marvellous candle-lit dinner cruise.
Half-day and full-day game drives are also on offer, as well as private river cruises that cater to focused interests such as birdwatching in the early mornings. Day trips to the iconic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and tiger fishing trips along the Kasai channel in Namibia are also easily arranged with pick-ups from our front door. Then there’s the new boat trip that takes you underneath the modern marvel of the Kazungula Bridge and our marvellous candle-lit dinner cruise.
Are safari activities included in my cost of stay?
Unless you book a package, safari activities are normally at an extra cost. The list of activities, including the rates, can be found on our rate sheets. You can book all activities on-site with our excursion experts.
What time of year is best to visit Chobe?
The Chobe is fantastic all year! What is best about each season in the Chobe area?
January offers sublime skies, sunsets with colourful clouds, baby animals and beautiful birding thanks to all the migrant visitors that flock for the abundance of food. We also love it when we can use the river road inside the national park, when the Chobe River sits a little lower.
January offers sublime skies, sunsets with colourful clouds, baby animals and beautiful birding thanks to all the migrant visitors that flock for the abundance of food. We also love it when we can use the river road inside the national park, when the Chobe River sits a little lower.
July to October are high season, and the riverfront area attracts more visitors. It can be dry and dusty, but the wildlife is highly concentrated around the river because waterholes have dried up. This makes for unrivalled game-viewing both on the river and via game drives. It is also a colder time of year and can be a more comfortable time to travel.
How many nights should I spend in Chobe?
A three-night stay allows you two full days of exploring the bush and riverfront, but we cannot guarantee that is long enough to experience all that Chobe has to offer. Typically, there is only enough time for two activities per day. A four-night stay would permit the following itinerary: two afternoon boat cruises, two game drives inside the Chobe National Park, one full day exploring the Victoria Falls and then one afternoon off to enjoy cocktails on the deck and an evening dinner cruise.
What are the park fees for entering Chobe National Park?
Entry to the Chobe National Park costs BWP190 per person if you are a client on a Chobe Safari Lodge activity or BWP145 for SADC residents. Children under eight years do not have to pay to enter the park, and children between 8 and 17 years old cost BWP60.
If you are self-driving through the Chobe National Park, park fees costs BWP270 per person if you are a visitor to Botswana. SADC residents pay BWP205 per person and citizens pay BWP30 per person. There is an additional fee of BWP115 per passenger vehicle if it comes from outside of Botswana. If you are renting a Botswana-registered vehicle, it costs BWP30.
What lodges do you have in the Chobe region?
Our precious Chobe Safari Lodge was founded in 1959 and is Kasane's oldest resort perched on the beautiful Chobe River. The stylish Chobe Bush Lodge sits behind Chobe Safari Lodge and overlooks the Chobe National Park.
How many rooms does Chobe Safari Lodge have?
How many rooms does Chobe Bush Lodge have?
Are Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge family-friendly?
Absolutely. Both Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge are family-friendly, with spacious family rooms. Both accommodation options can cater to families of various sizes and multigenerational families. Children can also participate in all game viewing activities. Babysitting services can be arranged in advance. We often run a Kid’s Club over the festive season during December to keep our young nature fans occupied during the school holidays.
Do you have a laundry service?
Yes, we can do your laundry for an extra fee. Guests can expect a turnaround time of roughly 24 hours.
What is the best way of getting to Botswana?
Most flights from outside Africa reach Botswana by connecting from South Africa via Johannesburg. However, connecting flights are also available from Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Windhoek in Namibia.
Chobe is close to three international airports. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Livingstone in Zambia and Kasane right here in Botswana lies just a 10-minute drive from Chobe Safari Lodge.
Self-driving through Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve further south is not to be underestimated. Drivers will tackle rough sand trails and seasonal water crossings when navigating from the Okavango Delta, but the rewards of independent travel are rich!
Travelling by car allows precious freedom to camp as the safari pioneers once did or sit with the hundred-strong elephant herds of Chobe for hours if you please. Take the underrated back routes and visit the hidden treasures that are more challenging to reach by flight, such as the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Nata Lodge is a straightforward four-hour journey by tarred highway from Chobe Safari Lodge.
How far is Chobe Safari Lodge from the airport?
Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off from Kasane International Airport, which is a ten-minute drive away. We are also situated closest to the Chobe National Park, which is likewise a ten-minute drive. We are situated on the far northern border of Botswana in the town of Kasane.
Can I get a car hire from the airport?
Yes. Kasane International Airport is home to Avis, Hertz and Chobe 4x4.
What should I pack?
Comfortable, casual, cool, cotton bushwear is best. Don’t forget a hat and windbreaker for boat cruises and early morning game drives plus swimwear to cool off in the beautiful pools. Sunscreen, binoculars, cameras and spare batteries will enhance your safari. There are plenty of high-rated reference books available for purchase in the on-site curio shop.
Tell me more about Botswana
Home to just over two million people, Botswana is one of the world's most sparsely populated nations but rich in culture, minerals, pristine wildlife and dramatic scenery.
This landlocked country sits in the southern part of Africa and is neighboured by South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Gaborone is the capital, but travellers to Chobe are more likely to pass through the town of Kasane (pronounced 'kas-sar-nee').
Botswana has a robust economy (particularly in relation to many other African countries), and the national currency is called the Pula, which also means rain in Setswana. However, the US dollar, British pound and Euro are accepted at Chobe Safari Lodge.
Is there malaria?
Malaria is present in Botswana and widespread in the north. Consult your doctor about the latest anti-malaria precautions and apply insect repellent during the safari.
How can I visit the Okavango Delta?
Moremi Crossing, Mma Dinare Camp, and Pom Pom Camp can all be booked with Kwando Safaris. Kwando Safaris is a sister company to Chobe Safari Lodge.
Please download our rate sheets for additional information about Chobe Safari Lodge or Nata Lodge, plus the T&Cs. *Special SADC and local rates are available, please contact reservations directly for the latest deals and packages.
