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Frequently asked questions.
How much does the Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls cost?
On the marketplaces the offers range from around 105 to 344 EUR per person; local operators quote 229 USD plus 20 USD park fee, or 100 to 145 USD without the park fee. On top come the visa for the return to Zimbabwe and tips. Transfer, boat cruise, lunch and game drive are normally included.
Do I need a visa for Botswana for the Chobe day trip?
As a German citizen, no: entry with a regular passport is visa-free and free of charge, for up to 90 days per calendar year. The passport must still be valid for at least six months. What matters more is the visa for the return to Zimbabwe or Zambia in the evening.
How do I get back into Zimbabwe in the evening?
With a double-entry visa, the KAZA visa (50 USD) or a new single-entry visa for 30 USD at the border. If you only have a single-entry visa, clarify at the counter before you exit how the return works. Zambia is visa-free for Germans; there a new entry stamp is enough.
Can I drive to Chobe myself?
Yes, with a 4x4, a cross-border permit from the hire company and cash for road fees and park fees (270 BWP per person, 115 BWP per vehicle). The boat cruise is booked with an operator in Kasane. For a single day the organised tour is usually the simpler route, because the border, the change of vehicle and the boat are already arranged.
Is the boat or the game drive more worthwhile?
Each shows different animals: from the boat, hippos, crocodiles, water birds and drinking elephants are close; from the 4x4, the antelope, giraffes and, with luck, big cats in the hinterland. The standard tour combines both; if you can only choose one activity, take the boat in the dry season.
When is the best time for Chobe from Victoria Falls?
May to October for animals at the river, with the densest game in September and October. For the waterfalls, the high-water period is February to May. If you want to see both well, May to July is the best bet.
Is malaria prophylaxis necessary?
Victoria Falls, Livingstone and the northern Chobe District are year-round high-risk areas according to the German Federal Foreign Office. For such areas, drug prophylaxis after medical advice is recommended, in addition to mosquito protection. Discuss this with a tropical medicine specialist before you travel.
Does the trip work with children?
Yes, many operators take children and give discounts; children under 8 pay no park fee. Bear in mind the long day, the midday heat and the birth certificate that Botswana requires for minors.
Do you see the same animals in Zambezi National Park as in Chobe?
According to ZimParks the park has elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard, but it is unfenced and the animals move. A three-hour game drive directly from Victoria Falls is convenient, but sightings are less reliable than on the Chobe River in the dry season.
Where can I see rhinos?
In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park near Livingstone (Zambia) on a guided walk with rangers, which takes about three to five hours and costs around 85 to 95 USD. There are practically no rhinos in Chobe or in Zambezi National Park.
