5-DAY Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park

Africa packs a lot into five days. This tour combines the thunder of Victoria Falls with a sunset cruise, a traditional dinner, a village visit, and a full-day Chobe safari. I like the private guiding for most activities, which keeps the schedule personal, and the chance to watch elephants from both the Chobe River and a 4×4 vehicle.

The main drawback is the pace. Days one through three run close to 12 hours, and day four is your only fully open day for optional activities. At $1,485.95 per person, the package offers strong value if you want transport, guiding, lodging, meals, and major sights arranged for you, but independent visitors may find the fixed schedule less flexible.

Key things to know before booking

• Two countries in one day: Day three takes you from Zimbabwe into Botswana for a boat safari and 4×4 game drive in Chobe National Park.
• Elephant Hills is your base: The four-star resort provides accommodation on the first, second, fourth, and final nights, with bed and breakfast included where stated.
• The first evening is easy and social: A two-hour Zambezi sunset cruise includes complimentary drinks and snacks, followed by dinner at the Boma Restaurant.
• The tour stays small: The maximum group size is 12 people, though some shared activities include other participants.
• Day four is your activity buffer: You can choose from options such as Devil’s Pool, an elephant-back safari, a lion walk, white-water rafting, or a night drive with bush dinner.
• The cancellation deadline matters: Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund.

Why this five-day combination works

Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park make a natural pair. One gives you immense spray, noise, and river views. The other gives you long, quiet stretches on the water and excellent chances to see large animals.

This package is built for someone who wants the major pieces handled without arranging separate hotels, transfers, border transport, guides, and safari bookings. Your assigned guide stays with you for the duration of the tour, while the sunset cruise, dinner, and Chobe safari are shared with other participants.

That mix is useful. You get personal support during much of the trip, but you also join larger activity groups when shared transport or specialist equipment makes sense. The maximum group size of 12 keeps the arrangement smaller than a big coach tour, though you should not expect every moment to be private.

The tour is listed at approximately five days, with an average booking lead time of 62 days. That advance planning makes sense because Victoria Falls activities and Chobe safaris are popular, especially during busy travel periods. The package includes pickup, and confirmation is provided at booking.

One detail deserves attention before you pay: the listed meeting point is the Kingdom Hotel Victoria Falls on 1 Mallet Drive, while the first-day transfer description refers to pickup and transfer to Elephant Hills Hotel. Ask the operator to confirm your exact pickup point, airport transfer, and final departure arrangement.

Day one: Elephant Hills, the Zambezi, and dinner at Boma

Your first day is designed to ease you into Victoria Falls rather than throw you straight into a packed sightseeing schedule. The transfer to Elephant Hills is described as 21 kilometers and about 15 to 20 minutes of driving. After check-in, you have a few hours to rest before the afternoon cruise.

That pause matters after a long flight. You can settle into the hotel, freshen up, and get ready for the river without rushing directly from an airport transfer to a major excursion.

The sunset boat cruise begins at about 4:00 p.m. and lasts two hours, ending around 6:00 p.m. Return transfers are included. Drinks and snacks are complimentary, which makes this a pleasant first look at the Zambezi rather than another expense to track.

The cruise is also a good counterpoint to the falls themselves. Victoria Falls is loud and forceful. The river cruise offers a slower view, with time to watch the light change and keep an eye out along the banks. The exact wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so I would treat this as a scenic introduction, not a dedicated animal safari.

Dinner follows at the Boma Restaurant, described as award winning and built around traditional entertainment. Expect dancing, drumming, and fortune telling, with return transfers included. It is a lively evening, but the combination of a cruise and dinner can make day one longer than it first appears. If you arrive tired, enjoy the meal without feeling obliged to stay up late.

Day two: Victoria Falls and a working village

The second day begins at 8:00 a.m. with a guided Victoria Falls tour. The visit lasts about two hours and includes a stop at the big Baobab tree before continuing to the falls. The tour ends at the open curio market.

The route gives you more than a quick viewpoint stop. The baobab provides a memorable opening landmark, while the falls offer changing views as you move through the area. You will want sensible walking shoes and protection for your phone or camera, since spray can be part of the experience. The tour description does not state how many viewpoints are included, so ask your guide what the route covers on the day.

Ending at the curio market is practical if you want to browse crafts while the sights are fresh in your mind. It also means the morning does not simply finish at the falls entrance and leave you to arrange your own transport.

At 11:00 a.m., you leave for an African village tour. This visit lasts another two hours and takes you to a real working village where residents share their homes, daily routines, and food. You are encouraged to ask questions, which can make this more meaningful than a staged performance.

Approach this part with respect and curiosity. You are entering a community, not visiting a museum exhibit. Ask before taking photographs, listen carefully, and remember that the people you meet are not there simply to provide entertainment.

You return to town at about 1:00 p.m. The rest of the afternoon is open for lunch, optional tours, shopping, or rest. That free time is welcome after two guided outings, although you will need to arrange and pay for any optional activity separately unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Day three: Chobe National Park by boat and 4×4

Day three is the biggest wildlife day and the most demanding transfer day. Pickup is at 7:30 a.m. for the journey to Botswana and Chobe National Park.

The route does not wait until the border to begin the safari mood. The drive passes through Zambezi National Park for about 70 kilometers before reaching Botswana. That gives you an early chance to watch the surroundings from the vehicle, though it also means a long morning on the road before the main Chobe activities begin.

The first Chobe activity is a three-hour game boat cruise on the Chobe River. This is one of the strongest parts of the package because you see wildlife from a low, stable position on the water rather than only from a vehicle. The river setting also lets you pause for longer views instead of constantly moving between sightings.

The supplied account of the trip highlights repeated animal sightings and hundreds of elephants watched at close range from the river area. That is a powerful reason to choose this itinerary if elephants are high on your list. Still, wildlife is unpredictable, so no safari can promise a particular number of animals.

Lunch is served as a buffet at the four-star Chobe Safari Lodge. Having lunch included removes another logistical chore on a day that already involves border formalities, transfers, and two safari formats. It also gives you a proper break before the afternoon drive.

After lunch, you board custom-made 4×4 safari vehicles for a three-hour game drive in Chobe National Park. The route includes the upper Chobe River area. The boat and vehicle combination gives you two different ways to view the park: open river edges from the water, then land-based tracks from a raised safari vehicle.

The total day lasts about 12 hours. Bring patience, water, sun protection, and a willingness to spend long periods watching rather than moving. The tour does not list border requirements or visa guidance, so confirm what documents you need for entry into Botswana before departure. This is especially important if your nationality requires visas for either country.

Day four: your best chance to add a major activity

Day four is free for optional tours, shopping, and rest. This open day is one of the package’s smartest features because Victoria Falls offers more activities than can fit into the guided schedule.

Possible choices include:

• Devil’s Pool swimming
• Elephant-back safari
• Lion walk
• Night game drive with bush dinner
• White-water rafting
• Canoeing on the upper Zambezi
• Other activities arranged locally

The right choice depends on your appetite for adventure. Devil’s Pool and white-water rafting are active options. A night drive with bush dinner gives you a different view of the area and fills the evening. Canoeing provides a quieter river experience, while a lion walk or elephant-back safari focuses on close animal encounters.

Do not try to cram everything into this day. After the long Chobe outing, some people will value a slow breakfast, a walk, and time at the hotel more than another early pickup. You pay separately for optional activities unless the operator tells you otherwise, so check prices, start times, transfer arrangements, and safety requirements before committing.

Dinner on day four is your own arrangement. Overnight accommodation is at Elephant Hills Resort on a bed-and-breakfast basis. That gives you control over the evening, but it also means you should plan ahead if you want a special meal or need transport.

Day five: one last choice before departure

The final morning remains free for optional activities. Canoeing on the Zambezi, horse riding in Zambezi National Park, bungee jumping, and gorge swinging are listed possibilities.

This is useful for an evening departure, but less so if your flight leaves early. The tour includes transfer to Victoria Falls Airport or Livingstone Airport, identified as VFA or LVI. Confirm the airport and departure time with the operator because the two airports are in different countries and may involve different transfer arrangements.

I would not book a demanding activity too close to your flight. The schedule allows morning options, but the safe choice is to leave enough time for transport and airport check-in. If your flight is later in the day, this morning can add one last active memory. If your departure is early, treat it as a simple transfer day.

What the $1,485.95 price really covers

The price is not just for a falls viewpoint. It bundles a four-star hotel base, an assigned guide, transfers, the sunset river cruise, dinner at the Boma Restaurant, the falls tour, the village visit, the Chobe boat cruise, buffet lunch, the Chobe 4×4 drive, and airport transfer.

That is a good amount of organization for five days. The Botswana day alone requires cross-border transport, a river activity, lunch, and a national park drive. Arranging all of that independently would take time and would leave you responsible for coordinating several separate providers.

The value is strongest if you want a guided first visit to the region and prefer predictable transport. It is weaker if you already have hotels, a car, or trusted local contacts. Optional day four and day five activities are not presented as part of the base price, so keep room in your budget for those.

The tour is mostly private, not fully private. Your guide is assigned to you for the duration, but the sunset cruise, dinner, and Chobe safari include other participants. That arrangement keeps the experience social and may help control the cost, but it does not give you complete control over every departure or stop.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this package to a first-time visitor who wants Victoria Falls and a Botswana safari in one trip. It suits people who value a guide, included transfers, and a clear daily structure.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who wants several kinds of experiences: natural scenery, wildlife, local community contact, traditional entertainment, and optional adventure activities. The small maximum group size is helpful for those who prefer something more personal than a large bus excursion.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long activity days, or border crossings. Day three is especially full. You may also prefer a different plan if your main goal is a slow resort stay, since the first three days are highly scheduled.

Practical points to settle before you go

The experience is offered with pickup and mobile ticketing, and confirmation is received at booking. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation.

Ask about the exact pickup location because the meeting information names Kingdom Hotel Victoria Falls, while the accommodation and first transfer refer to Elephant Hills Hotel. Also confirm which nights include bed and breakfast, since the clearest accommodation note specifically states this for day four and the final overnight.

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants. Shared activities may have their own group arrangements, so consider that when deciding how private you want the trip to be.

Cancellation terms are strict close to departure. Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancellation two to six full days ahead receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days ahead receives no refund. Changes are not accepted inside the stated cutoffs, and all times follow local time.

Should you book the Victoria Falls and Chobe package?

Book it if you want the main sights organized and you like the idea of combining Victoria Falls with a serious wildlife day in Botswana. The best reasons are the two-part Chobe safari, the river sunset cruise, the local village visit, and the free day that lets you add an activity that matches your interests.

Think carefully if you want a fully private tour or a relaxed schedule. You will spend long hours on the road and in activities, and some popular extras cost more. Before booking, confirm pickup at the correct hotel, your airport transfer, border documents, and the price and timing of your preferred optional tour.

For a first African trip, this is a well-packed introduction. The elephant sightings and the chance to watch animals from the Chobe River are the highlights I would value most. Just arrive ready for early mornings, long days, and a little schedule juggling.

FAQ

How long is the Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park tour?

The tour lasts approximately five days.

Where does the experience start?

The listed meeting point is Kingdom Hotel Victoria Falls at 1 Mallet Drive in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The first-day description also refers to a transfer to Elephant Hills Hotel, so confirm your pickup point with DK Tours & Safaris.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends with a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport or Livingstone Airport, identified as VFA or LVI.

What is the tour price?

The listed price is $1,485.95 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is the entire tour private?

No. The tour is private for most parts, but the sunset boat cruise, dinner, and Chobe National Park safari are shared with other participants.

Is hotel accommodation included?

Accommodation is at the four-star Elephant Hills Hotel or Resort in Victoria Falls. The itinerary specifically states bed and breakfast for the day four overnight and the final overnight.

What happens on the Chobe National Park day?

You leave at 7:30 a.m., travel through Zambezi National Park toward Botswana, take a three-hour game boat cruise on the Chobe River, eat a buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge, and then take a three-hour 4×4 game drive in Chobe National Park.

Are optional activities included?

Optional activities such as Devil’s Pool, elephant-back safari, lion walks, white-water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, bungee jumping, and gorge swinging are listed as choices for free time. The provided tour details do not state that these extras are included in the base price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least six full days before the experience starts. Canceling two to six full days ahead provides a 50 percent refund. Canceling less than two full days ahead provides no refund.