Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $11–20 | $35–80 |
| Food | $8–15 | $18–35 |
| Activities | $25–40 | $45–80 |
| Park Fees | $10–12 | $10–12 |
| Transport | $5–10 | $12–20 |
| Daily Total | $50–80 | $120–230 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting There
- Kasane Airport has daily flights from Johannesburg, Maun, and Victoria Falls
- By road: 310km from Nata (3.5 hours), 580km from Maun (6 hours), 70km from Victoria Falls via Kazungula border
- Shared taxis connect Kasane to Nata and Victoria Falls. Intercape buses run from Windhoek via Nata
Entry & Visas
- Most nationalities get visa-free entry to Botswana for 90 days
- Park fees: P120 per person + P50 per vehicle per day — pay at the gate
- KAZA UniVisa ($50) covers both Zambia and Zimbabwe — useful if crossing to Victoria Falls
Health & Safety
- Chobe is in a high malaria zone — take prophylaxis (Malarone or doxycycline) and use repellent at dawn and dusk
- Never approach elephants on foot — they are wild and can be aggressive, especially mothers with calves
- Hippos and crocodiles are in the river — do not swim. Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other large animal
Connectivity
- Mascom and Orange SIM cards available in Kasane — data is reasonably priced at P50 for 1GB
- Cell signal in Kasane is good but disappears inside the park
- WiFi available at lodges and hotels in Kasane but often slow. Download maps and guides before game drives
Money
- Currency: BWP (Botswana Pula). Roughly P13.5 = $1 USD. USD cash is also widely accepted
- ATMs in Kasane at Barclays and FNB. Cards accepted at lodges and larger restaurants
- Tip game-drive guides P50–100 per person and boat captains P30–50. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory
Packing Tips
- Binoculars are essential — much of the game viewing is at medium distance across floodplain
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, green, brown). A warm fleece for early morning boat safaris when it is cold on the water
- Waterproof bag for cameras on the boat — elephants splashing create serious spray
Cultural tips
Elephant Kingdom
Chobe has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa — around 120,000. They have right of way everywhere, including on roads. If an elephant approaches your vehicle, turn off the engine and sit quietly. Never get between a mother and her calf. Most elephant encounters are peaceful if you are calm and respectful.
Boat Etiquette
Boat captains are required to maintain minimum distances from wildlife. Do not pressure your captain to get closer — approaching too near stresses animals and is illegal. The best sightings come from patience and silence, not proximity. Elephants often swim directly toward stationary boats out of curiosity.
Community Respect
Kasane is home to the Subiya and Bayei peoples, with significant Setswana and San communities nearby. Greet people with "Dumela" (hello) in Setswana. Buy crafts directly from local artisans at the Kasane craft market rather than from middlemen — your money goes further into the community.
Photography Ethics
Chobe is a photographer's paradise but wildlife comes first. Do not use flash — it startles animals and ruins night-adapted vision. Do not make loud noises or sudden movements to get an animal to look at you. The best wildlife photos capture natural behaviour, not startled reactions.
River Border Awareness
The Chobe River is the international border between Botswana and Namibia. Boats must stay on the Botswana side — crossing the river without clearing immigration is illegal. The Namibian side (Caprivi Strip) is a separate country with its own entry requirements.
Conservation Contribution
Your park fees directly fund Chobe's conservation — Botswana has one of Africa's strongest wildlife protection records. Support this by following all park rules, reporting poaching activity to rangers, and choosing operators who employ local guides and give back to communities. Responsible tourism keeps Chobe wild.
