Chobe National Park: Day Trips and Tours from Livingstone

Live out your "Lion King" childhood fantasy with a trip to Chobe National Park, the pride and joy of Botswana. Cruise past wading elephants, admire the grace of a grazing giraffe and feel the mighty roar of the lion vibrate through your soul.

These experiences are as uniquely African as they come and a day trip to Chobe National Park from Livingstone in Zambia, is the best way to see, hear and feel the true majesty of the continent.

Here's all you need to know about Chobe National Park, one of the most exciting day trips from Livingstone.

How to get to Chobe National Park from Livingstone?

Chobe National Park is in the North of Botswana, close to the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. The park is located over 80 kilometers west of Livingstone in Zambia, which is more than an hour's drive.  

From Livingstone to Chobe National Park by car

Drive west out of Livingstone following the M10 and take the A33 turnoff at Kanzungula. Head across the bridge and enter Botswana through the Kazungula Border Post. The A33 Upper Road will take you to Chobe’s Sedudu Gate. This is a 100-kilometer drive hat takes about 1.5 hours.

Guided tour to Chobe National Park from Livingstone

Going through borders and driving on remote roads in Africa isn’t a stress-free experience. With the help of an expertly organized guided tour to Chobe National Park, you can experience all the wonders of Africa without any of the stress of organising or planning a trip yourself.

How much does the entrance ticket to Chobe National Park cost?

There are separate entry fees to Chobe National Park for citizens, residents and tourists.

Citizens tickets

• Adults: BWP10 (US$0.75)
• Children (aged 8-17): BWP5 (US$0.40)

Foreign residents tickets

• Adults: BWP30 (US$2.25)
• Children (aged 8-17): BWP15 (US$1.15)

Foreign non-resident tickets

• Adults: BWP120 (US$9.25)
• Children (aged 8-17): BWP60 (US$4.50)

What is the typical itinerary?

A day trip to Chobe National Park, your very own Out of Africa experience, starts with hotel pickup around 7 AM. Your tour operator will help you through the border, making your crossing swift and simple.

You will soon enter the park and set off on a magical 1-hour game drive. The open-sided vehicles offer 360-degree views of the wildlife-rich landscape so you won’t miss a moment of action.

Over lunchtime, you will take a break at a scenic spot and enjoy a delicious lunch to refuel. The second half of the day starts with a relaxing river cruise where you can see a different side of the African bushveld.

After the cruise, you will return across the border and be dropped off at your Livingstone hotel.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Chobe National Park?

There are a few tour options for day trips to Chobe National Park, so choose a tour that suits your travel style and pace.

Guided tours to Chobe National Park from Livingstone

For a comprehensive day trip to Chobe National Park, book a guided tour that includes transportation, a safari, lunch and a boat cruise in Livingstone. The number of participants is kept low, giving you an exclusive taste of Africa.

Private tour to Chobe National Park from Livingstone

Huddle your friends or family and book a private tour to Chobe National Park. You will have a safari vehicle and boat all to yourself and enjoy a speedy process at the border. You can gather a group of up to 12 people for this exclusive safari experience.

2-Day tour to Chobe National Park from Livingstone

Spend two days in Chobe National Park if you want to get more than your fill of animal sightings. An overnight trip to the park offers you morning and afternoon game drives as well as 5-star lunch, dinner and breakfast.

How much does a day trip to Chobe National Park from Livingstone cost?

A basic day tour to Chobe National Park costs around US$200 per person and includes all your entry fees, activity costs and lunch.

Private day trips to Chobe Natonal Park cost about US$1,800 for a group of up to 12 people. An overnight stay costs around US$500 per person, and the price includes 3 meals and accommodation.

What will you see and do?

A day trip to Chobe National Park is all about the animals and seeing them in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Africa. During the first half of the day, you will drive through the bush in a 4x4 safari vehicle.

These vehicles are specially designed to have open sides, allowing you a full view of the abundance of wildlife from all angles. The park has the highest density of elephants on the planet and you will also search for the other members of the notorious "Big 5" — lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalo.

After the thrilling first session of game viewing, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the park's pristine lodges.

Set off on a relaxing river cruise after lunch, searching for hippos, crocodiles and herds of elephants cooling down in the waters of the Chobe. This gives you a new perspective on the life-giving powers of the river.

What are the opening times?

The opening hours for Chobe National Park between April and September are from 6 AM to 6 PM. From October to March, these hours are extended to 5:30 AM and 7 PM.

When is the best time to visit Chobe National Park?

The best time for animal spotting in Chobe National Park is between August and October. The hot and dry conditions mean animals flock to watering holes and the dense vegetation of the wet season is not obscuring your view.

Bird watchers prefer December to March due to the increase in migratory birds.

What are the other day trips from Livingstone?

• Day trips to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park from Livingstone

Travel tips

• You will require a passport to cross the border into Botswana.
• Wear insect repellent and sunscreen to protect yourself from the elements.
• Pack your binoculars and camera to enhance your experience.
• Let your tour operator know ahead of time of you have any dietary restrictions.