Chobe & African River Cruises
A safari from the water on one of Africa’s great wildlife rivers.
Get Free Africa QuotesA Safari From the Water
The Chobe River forms part of the border between Botswana and Namibia, and it runs along the northern edge of Botswana’s Chobe National Park, known for one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. A Chobe river cruise is a safari that comes to you: herds of elephants drinking and swimming, hippos in the shallows, crocodiles on the sandbanks, buffalo and antelope on the floodplain and an extraordinary variety of birds.
Hippos
Pods of hippos rest in the river by day. From a boat you see them up close, at a safe distance.
Crocodiles
Nile crocodiles bask on the sandbanks. Your guide will keep the small boat well positioned.
Buffalo and more
Buffalo, kudu, impala, zebra and giraffe come down to the river, especially in the dry season.
Ships and Houseboats
Vessels on the Chobe are tiny by cruise standards. The best known is AmaWaterways’ Zambezi Queen, a 28-guest boat with 14 suites, each with a balcony, based near Kasane in Botswana. Game viewing happens from the deck and from small tender boats that slip into shallow channels. Smaller houseboats also operate on the river. The river itself is the attraction: you are cruising slowly past the park, not docking in towns.
Combining the Chobe With Land
Chobe cruises are usually short — a few nights — and are sold as part of a longer African journey. Typical combinations include Victoria Falls, just a short drive away on the Zambezi; Cape Town and the Winelands; and land safaris in South Africa or elsewhere in Botswana. AmaWaterways offers longer programs that start in Johannesburg and include the Zambezi Queen and Victoria Falls.
When to Go
Game viewing on the Chobe is generally best in the dry season, roughly the southern winter into spring, when inland water holes dry up and animals gather at the river. The weeks just before the rains can be very hot. The green season brings lush landscapes, baby animals and migratory birds, with afternoon storms.
Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia each have their own entry rules, and itineraries often cross borders. Check visa requirements and the CDC Travelers’ Health advice on malaria for the region.
Africa’s other rivers — including the Nile in Egypt — are covered in depth on our sister site africanrivercruises.com.
A Day on the Chobe
- Coffee on deck at first light as birds start up along the floodplain
- Morning outing in a small tender into side channels for close views of hippos, crocodiles and wading birds
- Brunch aboard while elephants gather on the bank to drink, often within sight of your balcony
- Midday rest in the air conditioning or a talk from your guide
- Late-afternoon tender ride as herds come down to the water
- Sundowners on deck and dinner under a sky full of stars
Some programs add a game drive in Chobe National Park or a visit to a local village. Because the boats are so small, departures can sell out early, especially in the prime dry-season months; it pays to plan a year or more ahead.
Chobe River Cruise Questions
How long is a Chobe river cruise?
The river portion is short, often a few nights, because it is usually part of a longer African trip with Victoria Falls, Cape Town or a land safari.
Is a Chobe cruise safe with all that wildlife?
Yes, when you follow your guides. Tender boats keep a respectful distance from hippos, elephants and crocodiles, and swimming in the river is never allowed.
Can I combine the Chobe with a Nile cruise?
They are far apart, but some travelers do both on one long Africa trip. Our sister site africanrivercruises.com covers the Nile; our advisors can quote a combined itinerary.
Plan Your River Safari
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