Full-Day Chobe Safari: River Cruise, Game Drive, Lunch, Guide & Park Fees

The transfer to Kasane is a short ride by plane, car, or boat. But Kasane sits next to Chobe Park with no fences. So during your ride, you will naturally drive past wild elephants, hippos, and zebras. Your transfer becomes a free mini-safari before you even check in.

Cross the border – have your passport ready
A transfer to Kasane usually means crossing a border if you are coming from Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Namibia. The main border near Kasane is Kazungula, which connects Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is open from 6 am to 8 pm daily. You need a valid passport with at least 6 months' validity and blank pages for stamps. For visas, Botswana offers single entry for one visit and multiple entry if you plan to leave and come back.
The KAZA Univisa is a special visa that lets you move freely between Zambia and Zimbabwe for tourism, and it is available to many nationalities including US, UK, and EU citizens. Some travelers must apply online for a Botswana e-visa before arrival, while others from visa-exempt countries can arrive and get a stamp. Always check your specific nationality requirements before you travel because rules change.

Drive to the park entrance and check in

Start the game drive along the riverfront or inland roads

Look out for elephants, hippos, buffalo, lions, giraffes, and zebras

Use this time to stretch your legs and have a quick snack or drink

Continue exploring the Parks on your way back to the entrance for an exit.

The lunch buffet at Cresta Mowana is served at the Serondella restaurant, which overlooks the Chobe River, so you get nice views while you eat. It is a proper buffet with a good selection of hot and cold dishes. They usually have a mix of local and international food. You can expect things like carved meats, fish, salads, vegetables, rice, pasta, and a dessert section. They often serve local specialties like crocodile tail and chobe bream, which is a local tilapia fish. The food is fresh, and they use locally sourced ingredients. It is popular with tour groups, so it can get busy, but the quality is good. The restaurant is inside the resort, which has nice grounds, and you might see warthogs wandering around while you eat. Drinks are usually not included in the buffet price, and you pay for them separately. Overall, it is a good lunch stop with tasty food and a relaxing atmosphere after your morning game drive.

A Chobe River game cruise is a boat trip on the Chobe River next to Chobe National Park. You get on a safari boat and cruise along the water looking for wildlife. Animals come down to the river to drink, so you see a lot. you can see elephants, hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras, and many birds. Sunset cruises are very popular and last about 3 hours. They include hotel pickup from Kasane. If you book a full-day trip, it usually includes a game cruise, lunch, and a land game drive.