Chobe Day Trip From Victoria Falls With Kids: Our Honest Experience
If you’re staying in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls is the easiest way to add a Botswana safari without changing hotels. We did it in March with our son, who was seven at the time. We booked a group tour with Gotham Travel and Tours, a local Victoria Falls operator, which included a game drive, lunch and a boat safari on the Chobe River.
We saw elephants, buffalo, lions, impala, hippos and crocodiles. The tour company collected us from our accommodation and handled the transport and the border run. We also got stuck beside a very unhappy crocodile for an hour, but more on that below.
🦁 For the quiet stretches between sightings
Safari days involve a lot of waiting, and that’s usually when kids start to drift. We made our African Safari Explorer printable to give them something to look for in those moments: a scavenger hunt for animals, tracks, nests and termite mounds, Big Five facts, a food chain activity, a “Who Am I?” animal puzzle and an observation journal for recording what they spot.
It’s 14 pages for ages 7 to 11, and comes as an instant PDF download in A4 and US Letter. It works just as well for getting excited before the trip as it does in the vehicle. Print it at home, pack a pencil, and let them keep their own record of the safari.
Chobe day trip at a glance
| When we went | March |
| Our son’s age | 7 |
| Type of tour | Group tour from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe |
| Tour operator | Gotham Travel and Tours |
| What was included | Hotel pickup, game drive, lunch and boat safari |
| What we paid | $470 for the three of us, including lunch |
| Border | Kazungula, Zimbabwe to Botswana |
| Visa we used | KAZA UniVisa |
| Highlights | Elephants along the river, lions resting in the shade, hippos and a very close crocodile |
Check dates and live prices for a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls:
Is a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls worth it?
For us, yes. You see Botswana’s wildlife from both a vehicle and a boat, then sleep in the same bed that night. If you only have a few days around Victoria Falls, it’s the simplest way to fit in a proper safari.
The trade-off is a long day. Transfers, the border and two activities fill most of it, and you have little flexibility on a group tour. If wildlife is the main goal of your trip, a few nights near Chobe would give you more time in the park. For more on how this compared with our other safaris in Tanzania and Sri Lanka, read our Safari With Kids guide.
How much does a Chobe day trip cost?
We paid $470 for our family of three with Gotham Travel and Tours, including lunch. We checked current prices on 15 October 2026, and you can expect to pay roughly $140 to $170 per adult, with lower prices for children.
| Tour option | Advertised price | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Chobe Full Day Trip from Victoria Falls (GetYourGuide) | From $170 per adult, $130 per child aged 11 or under | Check prices |
| Chobe Day Trip from Victoria Falls (Viator) | From $164 per adult, $110 per child aged 5 to 11, free for children 4 and under | Check prices |
| One-day Chobe safari (Klook) | From $143 per person | Check prices |
Prices change with dates, group size and what’s included. Compare the inclusions, not just the headline price. Our checklist further down covers what to ask.
What our Chobe day trip looked like
Getting there and crossing the border
The tour company picked us up from our accommodation in Victoria Falls. From there, it’s roughly one to one and a half hours by road to the Kazungula border and on to Kasane, the town at the edge of Chobe National Park. Most full-day tours last around 10 to 12 hours in total.
Our border crossing was quick and easy, but delays can happen. The tour company handled the transport, but we arranged our own visas in advance.
The game drive
We started with a game drive. Chobe National Park covers about 11,700 square kilometres, and the Chobe River forms its northern edge. The riverfront is famous for its elephants and buffalo, especially in the dry season.
We saw elephants, buffalo, lions and lots of impala. Like any safari, there were exciting moments and quieter stretches between them. Our son used his binoculars to spot animals, which kept him busy when nothing much was happening.
The boat safari and our unexpected crocodile encounter
After lunch, we went out on the river by boat. This turned out to be the part of the day we’ll never forget.
Our guide stopped beside the reeds to get a closer look at a massive crocodile. The crocodile wasn’t impressed. It hissed loudly, which seemed a fairly clear sign that it wanted us gone.
Our guide agreed and tried to move away. There was one problem: the motor had become completely tangled in the reeds, and we were stuck beside the bank.
While the crew tried to free us, the crocodile suddenly launched itself into the water, inches from the boat. For a moment, we honestly thought it might land on board. People were frightened, and we didn’t blame them.
And then we stayed there for about an hour.
Eventually, a larger boat arrived and pulled us out. The crocodile lost interest and went about its day, and so did we.
Our son was completely unfazed. We’d handed him our phone to keep him entertained, and our screen-time rules went straight out of the window. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
This isn’t something you should expect on a Chobe boat safari. Still, it reminded us that wild animals are unpredictable, even with an experienced guide. With kids, it matters even more to follow the crew’s instructions.
Visas and documents for a Chobe day trip
You’ll leave Zimbabwe, enter Botswana and then return to Zimbabwe, so your documents need to cover all three steps.
We had the KAZA UniVisa, which made it simple. It costs $50 and covers Zimbabwe and Zambia for up to 30 days, including multiple crossings between the two. It also allows day trips into Botswana through the Kazungula border. Read the Zambia Department of Immigration KAZA UniVisa guidance for the current rules.
However, not every nationality can get the KAZA UniVisa, and it doesn’t replace Botswana’s own entry rules. Some nationalities need a separate Botswana visa. The Government of Botswana tourism visa page explains how to apply. Botswana also expects passports to be valid for at least six months.
For children, Botswana officially requires a birth certificate, either the original or a certified copy. We carried our son’s, although nobody asked to see it. If only one parent is travelling, or your child has a different surname, check what extra consent documents you need.
What wildlife can you see in Chobe National Park?
Chobe is best known for its huge elephant herds. During the dry season, roughly May to October, elephants and buffalo gather in large numbers along the river.
On a combined tour, the two activities complement each other. The game drive is better for lions, antelope and elephants inland. The boat gets you close to hippos, crocodiles, birds and animals coming down to drink.
We visited in March, at the end of the rainy season, and still saw a great variety. Sightings are never guaranteed, though, so ask your operator what to expect in your month.
Is Chobe suitable for children?
Our son was seven, and the day worked well for us. Having two different activities kept it interesting.
Age matters less than temperament. A child who loves animals will enjoy the quieter stretches, but a long day in the heat can be tiring for children who struggle with long outings. If your child needs frequent breaks, a private tour gives you more flexibility.
What to ask before you book
- Pickup: Are return transfers from your Victoria Falls hotel included?
- Activities: Does the price include both the game drive and the boat safari?
- Fees: Are park fees included?
- Border: Which documents do you need, and does the guide help with the formalities?
- Food and water: What’s included? Pack familiar snacks in case your child doesn’t like lunch.
- Length of the day: How long will you be away, including the border?
- Minimum age: Can children your child’s age join both activities?
- Toilets: Where are the stops? Facilities in the park are limited.
- Life jackets: Are child sizes available on the boat?
On the day, make sure children stay seated where the guide tells them, keep their hands inside and never try to attract or feed animals.
What to bring on a Chobe day trip
- Passports and visas: Bring everything you need to enter Botswana and return to Zimbabwe.
- Your child’s birth certificate: The original or a certified copy.
- Sun protection: A proper sun hat, Badger mineral sunscreen (we like it for kids) and sunglasses.
- Light clothing: Breathable clothes, plus a light layer in case it turns cooler.
- Water and snacks: Extra water and a few familiar snacks.
- Binoculars: Our son loved having his own binoculars. They help with distant animals and keep kids busy during quiet stretches.
- A camera with zoom: We now travel with a Nikon Coolpix P1100, a bridge camera with a 125x optical zoom. It’s bigger than a compact, but on safari that zoom lets you photograph animals far beyond a phone’s reach.
- Insect repellent: We use Badger DEET-free bug spray, which is suitable for kids.
- Medication: Anything your family usually needs on a full day out.
For more packing ideas, see how we pack for long-term family travel and the family travel gear we actually use.
Our verdict: would we recommend a Chobe day trip with kids?
Yes. We saw an impressive range of wildlife, enjoyed both a game drive and a river safari, and didn’t have to organise transport or the border ourselves.
Our day didn’t go entirely to plan, but we wouldn’t let our crocodile story put you off. We’d recommend Gotham Travel and Tours without hesitation. Whoever you book with, check what’s included and make sure everyone follows the safety instructions. If you’re heading further afield in southern Africa, our Namibia with kids itinerary is another family favourite.
Chobe day trip FAQ
How long is a Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls?
Most tours last around 10 to 12 hours, including pickup, the drive of about one to one and a half hours each way, the border crossing and the activities.
Do you need a visa for a Chobe day trip?
It depends on your nationality. We used the KAZA UniVisa, which covers day trips into Botswana via Kazungula. Some nationalities also need a separate Botswana visa, so check before you book.
Can you do a Chobe day trip from Livingstone in Zambia?
Yes. Many operators also run Chobe day trips from Livingstone, crossing into Botswana at Kazungula. We did ours from the Zimbabwe side.
Is the game drive or the boat safari better for kids?
Both are worth doing. The boat is a nice change from sitting in a vehicle and gets you close to hippos and crocodiles. The game drive gives you a better chance of seeing lions and other animals inland.
What is the best time of year for a Chobe day trip?
The dry season, roughly May to October, is best for big herds along the river. We went in March and still saw plenty of wildlife.
What age is a Chobe day trip suitable for?
Our son was seven and coped well. Check each operator’s minimum age, especially for the boat, and think about how your child handles long days in the heat.
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