Chobe Day Trip From Victoria Falls

One of the best things about being based in Victoria Falls for your Zimbabwean vacation is the proximity and ease of access you’re afforded to the region’s attractions – even those that fall outside of our country’s borders.

Within a 1 to 2 hour drive, you could be in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, Namibia’s Zambezi Region or the city of Livingstone in Zambia, depending on where your curiosity leads you.

If game-viewing is a high priority on your list of things to do during your time at The Palm River Hotel, we’d highly recommend a Chobe Day Trip, an unforgettable outing to one of Africa’s most famous parks. (And – for those who are interested – a personal favourite of Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who married on the banks of the Chobe River in 1975.)

Let’s explore the details of this exciting offering together!

Chobe National Park was established in 1968, making it Botswana’s first national park. It comprises over 11 700 square kilometers of distinct and varying ecosystems – ranging from floodplains and wetlands to woodland and savannah – which, in turn, support a stunning diversity of animal and plant life.

The park is located in the northern part of Botswana and is in close proximity to the borders of Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – of course!

Chobe National Park flanks the large and beautiful Chobe River and supports one of the largest elephant populations in the world. In addition to elephants, visitors can spot lions, leopards, buffalos, and spotted hyenas. The park also boasts a wide variety of antelope and bird species, making it a prime safari destination.

Chobe is in the heart of one of what many consider to be one of the richest and most biodiverse regions in Africa.

Now that you know a little more, let’s get into the details of your day trip!

Morning

The shuttle to Chobe National Park in Botswana departs from reception at 7.30 am in the morning. Make sure you have a good breakfast at our restaurant before heading out.

This is a full day activity and costs US $221 per person. (Includes boat cruise, game drive, lunch and park fees.)

You will then be transferred to the Kazungula Border Post, where you’ll be stamped into Botswana and met by your guide.

Please make sure you have all the necessary documentation to cross the border. This includes relevant visas for entering Botswana and returning to Zimbabwe. Children below the age of 18 years will need passports, visas and their birth certificate. In the event of an absent parent, an affidavit signed by the absent parent is also a requirement. Potential visa fees are for guests’ own account.

Once the admin of border-crossing is done (this shouldn’t take very long at all) you’ll make your way through the town of Kasane in Botswana and head for Chobe National Park.

You’ll proceed straight to the park for the morning river cruise, where you’ll have the opportunity to take in the park’s sights from the water.

These specially-adapted boats can get right up close to the riverbank, making for unique sightings when animals come to drink.

You’re likely to spot elephants, crocodiles, hippo, buffalo and a whole host of antelope such as sable, puku, kudu, eland and the rare roan antelope. If you’re lucky, you’ll see lions, too!

Birdlife along the river is extraordinarily rich. Look out for Fish eagles, pelicans and the African skimmer.

Noon

After your beautiful morning on the river, guests will head to a hotel on the riverbank for lunch, where the festivities and wonderful views will continue. The activity fee includes lunch, but drinks are for your own account.

Afternoon

After lunch you’ll board safari vehicles and be taken for an afternoon game drive, where you’ll once again be able to explore the park – this time by land.

The end of the game drive concludes your exciting day out in Chobe National Park. You will be taken back to the Kazungula Border Post and stamped back into Zimbabwe, whereafter the shuttle will deposit you safely back at the hotel!

• Wear neutral colours; cool and comfortable in the summer, warm layers in the winter.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. It’s also a good idea to wear clothes that offer physical protection from the sun, like a long-sleeved, loose-fitting cotton shirt.
• It’s always a good idea to bring along your own water, though this will be periodically available and can also be purchased at lunch.
• Don’t forget your camera, binoculars and mosquito repellent – better safe than sorry!
• For the full list of activities (including rates) provided by Palm Hospitality Group, click here. For more information on our other activities, feel free to email activities@palmhospitality.co.zw or phone +263 (0) 83 28 44737/8/9 – we’d be delighted to help you plan a seamless day trip to Chobe National Park!

The Palm River Hotel is a luxury, 5-star property located right on the banks of the Zambezi River, only a few kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls and within view of the iconic waterfall’s mighty spray.

Prospective guests of our hotel can look forward to a getaway like no other, where elephants walk through the grounds and animals like warthogs and buck graze on our shaded lawns.

Browse our elegant rooms and get in touch with our friendly reservations team at reservations@palmriverhotel.com to help you secure a booking.

Alternatively, secure your own dates online with our seamless booking platform and start dreaming of days spent in one of Africa’s most celebrated regions.

We look forward to welcoming you to Victoria Falls and introducing you to the wonderful regional activities we have on offer!