Chobe

Chobe District lies in the far northeast corner of Botswana, bordering Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The district revolves around the Chobe River and Chobe National Park, an 11,700-square-kilometer reserve holding an estimated 120,000 African elephants. Kasane serves as the main administrative and travel hub, situated near the Kazungula quadpoint where four nations converge along the Zambezi River.

Travelers visit Chobe for game drives along the riverfront floodplain and boat cruises on the Chobe River, which bring visitors within meters of bathing elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and cape buffalo. Southern Chobe features the Savuti Marsh and Linyanti Swamps, known for large lion prides and seasonal zebra migrations. Unlike the inner Okavango Delta, Chobe is accessible by paved highways and commercial flights.

The climate is semi-arid with a distinct dry season and wet season. Daytime temperatures peak between September and November at 35°C–40°C (95°F–104°F). Winter days from May to August stay warm around 25°C (77°F), but night temperatures fall below 10°C (50°F). Annual rainfall averages 500–600 mm, falling almost entirely between November and March.

• May to October (Dry Season): Peak wildlife viewing season. Inland water holes dry up, forcing thousands of elephants and buffalo to gather along the Chobe River every afternoon. June to August brings cool mornings (6°C–10°C / 43°F–50°F) and mild daytime highs (24°C–28°C / 75°F–82°F). September and October are the hottest months, with afternoon temperatures routinely reaching 38°C–40°C (100°F–104°F).
• November to April (Wet / Green Season): High rainfall (peaking in January and February) turns the countryside green and disperses animals inland. Daytime temperatures range from 30°C–34°C (86°F–93°F). Over 450 bird species are present during these months, including migratory waterbirds, carmine bee-eaters, and African skimmers. Lodge prices decrease by 30%–50% during this period.

• By Bus: Intercity buses run between Kasane Bus Rank and major towns in Botswana and neighboring countries.
  • From Gaborone: Operators like JNG Express, Patmo Transport, and Salvia Services run daily overnight buses (12–15 hours, approx. BWP 300–BWP 410 / $22–$30 USD).
  • From Francistown: Direct buses depart daily (5–6 hours, approx. BWP 180–BWP 230 / $13–$17 USD).
  • Cross-Border (Livingstone, Zambia): Minibuses run between Livingstone and Kazungula border (2 hours, approx. $30–$35 USD / BWP 400–BWP 470).
• By Train: No train service. Passenger rail service across Botswana remains suspended, and no rail lines extend to Kasane.
• By Car:
  • From Nata: 300 km north via the paved A33 highway (approx. 3.5 hours drive).
  • From Francistown: 490 km via A3 and A33 highways (approx. 5.5 hours drive).
  • From Maun: 600 km via Nata on paved highways (approx. 7 hours drive), or 300 km directly through Chobe National Park via Savuti (4x4 required, 8–10 hours drive depending on sand conditions).
  • From Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: 80 km west via the Kazungula border post (approx. 1.5 hours drive).
• By Air:
  • Kasane Airport (IATA: BBK) sits 4 km south of Kasane town center.
  • Air Botswana operates daily flights from Gaborone (GBE, 1h 10m) and Maun (MUB, 45m).
  • Airlink and CemAir fly directly from Johannesburg (JNB, 1h 45m).
  • Light aircraft charters (Mack Air, Wilderness Air) connect BBK to bush airstrips in Savuti, Linyanti, and the Okavango Delta.
• Getting Around:
  • Minibus taxis (combies) run along the main asphalt road between Kasane and Kazungula (fare: BWP 5–BWP 10 / $0.40–$0.75 USD).
  • Private town taxis charge BWP 30–BWP 60 ($2.20–$4.50 USD) for short rides in Kasane.
  • Game viewing requires high-clearance 4x4 vehicles; tour operators and lodges supply open 4x4 safari vehicles and pontoon boats.
  • Self-drivers must lower tire pressure for deep sand tracks inside Chobe National Park.
  • No rideshare mobile apps (Uber, Bolt) operate in Kasane.

• Chobe National Park (Riverfront / Serondela) — The primary game drive section along the river, known for dense elephant herds, lion prides, wild dogs, and sable antelope. Entry fee: BWP 270 ($20 USD) per day for international adults; BWP 205 ($15 USD) for SADC residents; BWP 30 ($2.20 USD) for Botswana citizens. Foreign vehicle fee: BWP 115–BWP 138 ($8.50–$10 USD) per day.
• Kazungula Bridge — A 923-meter cable-stayed bridge spanning the Zambezi River where Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe meet. Features a pedestrian walkway and river border views. Free to view; toll applies to vehicles crossing into Zambia.
• Savuti Marsh — Located in southern Chobe National Park, famous for the Savuti Channel, large lion prides hunting buffalo, zebra migrations, and ancient San rock paintings on the Gubatsa Hills. Entry fee: BWP 270 (~$20 USD) per day (included in park permit).
• Linyanti Swamps — Wetland along the Kwando-Linyanti river system in northwestern Chobe, populated by hippos, red lechwe, and waterbirds. Accessible via 4x4 track or charter flight. Entry fee: BWP 270 (~$20 USD) per day when inside park boundaries.
• Kasane Baobab Tree — Historic hollow baobab tree located near Kasane Police Station that served as a temporary holding cell in the early 20th century. Free admission.
• Lesoma Memorial & Cultural Village — Village 20 km south of Kasane commemorating the 1977 border skirmish during the Zimbabwean Liberation War. Guided tours present traditional Subiya lifestyle and craftwork. Entry fee: BWP 50–BWP 100 (~$3.70–$7.50 USD).
• Pandamatenga Plains — Agricultural area 100 km south of Kasane featuring commercial crop fields bordering wildlife corridors, ideal for birdwatching. Free to view from the highway.

• Chobe River Boat Cruise: 3-hour afternoon boat tour departing from Kasane lodges. Offers water-level views of elephants crossing to Namibia's Impalila Island, hippos, and waterbirds. Cost: $30–$50 USD (BWP 400–BWP 680) per person.
• Open 4x4 Game Drive: Morning or afternoon guided drives along the riverfront track inside Chobe National Park. Cost: $40–$60 USD (BWP 540–BWP 810) per person including guide (park fees extra).
• Tigerfishing Excursions: Half-day or full-day catch-and-release boat trips targeting fighting tigerfish and bream on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. Cost: $150–$250 USD per boat charter (up to 4 people) including tackle and fuel.
• Victoria Falls Day Trip: Cross into Zimbabwe or Zambia via Kazungula Bridge for a day excursion to Victoria Falls (80 km, 1.5 hours each way). Operator day trips cost $100–$150 USD plus visa fees ($50 USD KAZA Univisa).
• Photographic Boat Safaris: Customized pontoon boats equipped with camera mounts and 360-degree swivel seats for wildlife photography. Cost: $80–$120 USD per person.

• The Old House Restaurant (Kasane): Casual riverside dining specializing in wood-fired pizzas, fresh local bream (tilapia) fish and chips, steaks, and craft beer. Price tier: Moderate ($10–$20 USD / BWP 135–BWP 270).
• Chobe Safari Lodge Restaurant (Kasane): Buffet and menu dining overlooking the river, serving game meats (kudu, impala), roasts, traditional seswaa (pounded slow-cooked beef), and international dishes. Price tier: Upscale ($25–$50 USD / BWP 340–BWP 680).
• Pizza Plus Coffee & Curry (Kasane): Central spot serving Indian curries, samosas, fresh pizzas, sandwiches, and espresso. Price tier: Budget ($5–$12 USD / BWP 70–BWP 160).
• The Coffee Buzz (Kasane): Garden cafe near Kasane town center offering light lunches, wrap sandwiches, home-baked cakes, rooibos tea, and breakfast plates. Price tier: Budget ($4–$10 USD / BWP 55–BWP 135).
• Commissioners Restaurant at Chobe Marina Lodge (Kasane): Fine dining venue serving multi-course African-European fusion dishes, pan-seared fish, and imported wines. Price tier: Luxury ($35–$65 USD / BWP 470–BWP 880).

• Budget ($30–$100 USD / BWP 400–BWP 1,350 per night):
  • Elephant Trail Guesthouse: Shared dorms, private rooms, and self-catering facilities in Kasane.
  • Chobe Safari Lodge Campsite: Shaded riverfront campsites with electricity points, braai stands, and clean ablution blocks (approx. $20–$35 USD / BWP 270–BWP 470 per person per night).
• Mid-Range ($150–$400 USD / BWP 2,000–BWP 5,400 per night):
  • The Old House: Boutique riverfront lodge rooms with air conditioning, swimming pool, and gardens.
  • Chobe Bush Lodge: Modern hotel-style rooms located near the entrance to Chobe National Park with pool and restaurant.
  • Kubu Lodge: Thatched cottages set in native woodland along the river in Kazungula.
• Upscale / Luxury ($450–$2,500+ USD / BWP 6,000–BWP 33,000+ per night):
  • Chobe Game Lodge: The only permanent luxury lodge located inside Chobe National Park, featuring electric safari vehicles and solar-powered boats ($700–$1,500 USD per night all-inclusive).
  • Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero: High-end suites with private plunge pools overlooking the Chobe River and floodplains ($1,000–$2,200 USD per night all-inclusive).
  • Savute Elephant Lodge (Belmond): Luxury tented suites on the Savuti Channel with private decks facing a waterhole ($1,200–$2,500 USD per night all-inclusive).

• Victoria Falls (Livingstone, Zambia / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe): 80 km east (1.5 hours drive via Kazungula Bridge). Home to the world's largest sheet of falling water, white-water rafting, and helicopter flights over the gorge.
• Nata Bird Sanctuary & Makgadikgadi Pans: 300 km south on the A33 highway (3.5 hours drive). A community-run reserve surrounding Lake Ntwetwe, serving as a major breeding ground for flamingos and pelicans.
• Okavango Delta (Maun): 600 km southwest via paved highways (7 hours drive or 45-minute flight from BBK). The entrance point for mokoro (dugout canoe) trips, island walks, and private game reserves in the delta.
• Caprivi Strip (Katima Mulilo, Namibia): 70 km northwest via the Ngoma border post (1 hour drive). A narrow strip of land between Angola, Zambia, and Botswana offering river scenery, tigerfishing camps, and Mudumu National Park.