Day 01
Chobe River Cruise and Open 4 x 4 Safari
- Get picked up by your English-speaking Chobe tour guide from your hotel in Victoria Falls or Livingstone at 0700 hrs.
- Drive 70 km to Chobe National Park, a safe one-hour journey through Zambezi National Park or Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambia side, where there are considerable chances of spotting wildlife along the way.
- Arrive at the Botswana border from Zimbabwe or Zambia at 0800 hrs.
- After simple immigration formalities, proceed to the Chobe River Jetty for a three-hour Chobe River game cruise. This is the perfect opportunity to spot waders, water birds, crocodiles, and hippos. It is also possible to see many herbivores coming to the river to drink, most notably African buffalo and elephants. Puku and lechwe are often seen on the islands, while kudu, impala, and waterbuck can be spotted on the banks. Complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, and light snacks are provided on the boat.
- Enjoy a satisfying lunch, including bottled water, tea, and coffee, at 1230 hrs at Chobe Safari Lodge or a similar lodge after the exciting cruise.
- Head off on a game drive after lunch in specially adapted open 4 x 4 vehicles. Frequent lion sightings occur in Chobe, and eland, sable, and roan antelope are common at certain times. Leopards are elusive but common in the area, so you may be lucky. Drives are typically along the waterfront, where game congregates to quench their thirst, with lions often lying in wait or simply dozing in the shade. Complimentary soft drinks are provided.
- Return to the border after the three-hour safari and head back to Victoria Falls or Livingstone at 1630 hrs. It is possible to reach the border at 1700 hrs. After border formalities, drive once again through Zambezi or Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where more wildlife can still be seen on the way.
- Be back at your hotel at about 1800 hrs or thereabouts.
