Solo travel in Kasane and Chobe – elephants, river safaris and Victoria Falls nearby

Is Chobe good for solo travel?

Chobe is one of the best safari destinations in Botswana for solo travellers. Unlike the Okavango Delta, where many camps can only be reached by light aircraft, the Chobe riverfront begins right at the edge of Kasane. Boat cruises and game drives leave from town, and you can usually join a shared activity as a single person.

Kasane is also well connected. It has an airport with regional flights, good roads to Victoria Falls and Namibia, and a range of places to stay, from campsites to riverside lodges. This makes it a natural first stop on a Botswana trip, or an easy add-on to a visit to Victoria Falls.

Why solo travellers like Chobe

• Wildlife is easy to see, especially elephants in the dry season.
• Shared boat cruises and game drives are simple to join.
• Kasane is small, relaxed and English-speaking.
• Victoria Falls is close enough for a day trip.

The challenges

The riverfront can be busy in peak season, with many vehicles and boats in popular spots. Deeper parts of the park, such as Savuti and Linyanti, are remote and best reached on a guided trip. Many lodges price per person sharing, so solo travellers may face a single supplement. Joining a group or a shared safari helps with both.

Things to do in Kasane and Chobe alone

Kasane is set up for short, guided activities that are easy to join on your own.

On the river

• Boat cruises – the highlight of most visits. Afternoon cruises are especially popular, as animals gather to drink before sunset.
• Photography boats – some boats are designed for photographers, with swivel seats and fewer passengers.
• Fishing trips – the river is known for tigerfish and bream. Rules and seasons apply, so check locally.

On land

• Game drives – morning drives are best for predators, afternoon drives for elephants near the river.
• Self-drive – the riverfront can be driven in a 4x4, but tracks are sandy. Most solo travellers prefer a guided drive.
• Walks and cultural visits – some community trips include guided walks and village visits outside the park.

Around Kasane

• Browse local crafts, including baskets and wood carvings.
• Watch the sunset from a riverside deck.
• Look for birds along the riverbanks.
• Take a day trip to Victoria Falls.

Many travellers do one morning game drive and one afternoon boat cruise per day, with a rest in between during the heat.

Where to stay in Kasane as a solo traveller

Most accommodation in Kasane lines the Chobe River, close to the park entrance and the town centre.

Accommodation types

• Riverside lodges – often with a pool, a deck over the river and their own boat cruises and game drives. Easy for solo travellers, as activities are arranged on site.
• Guesthouses and self-catering chalets – smaller and quieter, often in or near town.
• Campsites – some lodges have campsites, popular with overlanders and self-drivers. They are good for meeting other travellers.
• Camps inside the park – public campsites and private camps in the riverfront area, Savuti and Linyanti, usually booked in advance and used by guided trips.
• Houseboats – some boats on the river offer overnight stays, giving a different view of the wildlife.

Tips

For a solo traveller, a riverside lodge or campsite in Kasane is usually the easiest base, as activities, meals and transfers are all in one place. Ask whether there are single rooms or a reduced supplement. Book early for the dry season, especially July to October. Remember that elephants and other animals can walk through town and lodge grounds, so follow your accommodation's advice after dark.

Is Chobe safe for solo female travellers?

Kasane and Chobe are generally considered safe for solo female travellers. Kasane is a small, relaxed town, and many women travel here alone without problems. The main risks are wildlife, road safety and health rather than crime.

Wildlife in and around town

Kasane is right on the edge of the park, and elephants, hippos, warthogs and even predators can pass through town, especially at night. Do not walk around after dark, particularly near the river. Ask your accommodation for an escort if you need to walk between rooms at night in unfenced areas.

• Always follow your guide's instructions on game drives and boat cruises.
• Keep a safe distance from elephants, even in town.
• Never swim in the river, because of crocodiles and hippos.

Road safety

Main roads around Kasane are tarred but animals often cross, especially at dusk. Avoid driving at night. If you self-drive in the park, check routes and conditions carefully.

In town

Petty theft can happen, so keep valuables secure. Use registered taxis, which have blue number plates, or transport arranged by your accommodation.

Health

Malaria is present in the Chobe area, so speak to a travel health professional before you go. Use insect repellent and long sleeves in the evening. Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation.

Check your government's latest travel advice for Botswana before you travel.

Getting around Kasane and Chobe

Kasane is small, and getting around is easy once you arrive.

Arriving

• By air – Kasane airport has flights from Gaborone, Johannesburg and some regional hubs. Many lodges offer transfers.
• From Victoria Falls – road transfers run between Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia and Kasane, taking around an hour or two depending on the border.
• By bus – long-distance buses and combis connect Kasane with Nata, Francistown and Maun, though journeys are long.
• From Namibia – a border crossing links Kasane with Namibia's Zambezi region.

In and around town

Taxis and combis run in Kasane, and lodges usually arrange transport for activities. Registered taxis have blue number plates.

Inside the park

• Guided game drives are the easiest way to explore the riverfront.
• Self-drive is possible on the riverfront with a 4x4, but the sandy tracks need some experience.
• Savuti and Linyanti are far from Kasane on deep sand tracks and are best reached on a guided trip or by light aircraft.

Border crossings

If you plan to visit Zimbabwe, Zambia or Namibia, check visa and entry requirements for each country in advance. Some visitors use a combined visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia, but availability and rules change, so check official sources.

What to eat in Kasane and Chobe

Food in Kasane is mostly served at lodges and small local cafés, and eating alone is easy.

Local dishes to try

• Seswaa – slow-cooked, pounded beef or goat, Botswana's national dish.
• Bogobe – sorghum or maize porridge, often served with stews.
• Magwinya – fried dough balls, a popular breakfast or snack.
• Bream – freshwater fish from the river, grilled or fried.
• Morogo – leafy greens, often cooked with tomato and onion.
• Braai – a southern African barbecue, often enjoyed at campsites and lodges.

Eating in Kasane

Kasane has supermarkets for self-catering and a few local takeaways and cafés. Most lodges have restaurants that welcome non-guests, often with river views. Eating at a lodge bar is a good way to meet other travellers and swap wildlife stories.

Tips

If you are on a boat cruise or game drive, snacks and drinks are often provided, but check in advance. On camping trips, meals are usually cooked at camp. Let your guide know about dietary needs before you go, as remote options are limited. Drink treated or bottled water if you are unsure of the supply.

Best day trips from Kasane

Kasane is perfectly placed for day trips, both in Botswana and across the borders.

• Victoria Falls – one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Day trips from Kasane are popular, but you need to check visa and entry rules for each country first.
• Chobe riverfront – a full-day game drive and boat cruise combined, with lunch on the way.
• Chobe Enclave – village visits and birding outside the park.
• Namibia's Zambezi region – across the river, with wetlands and wildlife areas. Check entry requirements before crossing.
• Savuti – too far for a comfortable day trip by road, but some fly-in excursions or longer guided trips include it.

Victoria Falls tips

The falls are at their most powerful from about February to May, after the rains, when the spray can hide the view. From around September to December, water levels are lower but the rock face is more visible. Bring a waterproof jacket or poncho and protect your phone and camera from the spray. Allow time for border crossings in both directions.

Chobe itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days

How many days in Chobe? Two to three days is ideal for the riverfront, with an extra day for Victoria Falls.

1 day in Chobe

• Morning: an early game drive along the riverfront.
• Midday: rest at your lodge during the heat.
• Afternoon: a boat cruise on the Chobe River.
• Evening: sunset and dinner by the river.

2 days in Chobe

• Day 1: as above.
• Day 2 morning: another game drive, focusing on predators.
• Day 2 afternoon: a photography boat cruise or a cultural visit.

3 days in Chobe

• Days 1–2: as above.
• Day 3: a day trip to Victoria Falls, after checking visa rules, or a full-day game drive deeper into the park.

For a longer trip, combine Chobe with Savuti, Moremi and the Okavango Delta, or continue to Victoria Falls.

Joining a group in Chobe as a solo traveller

Chobe is easy to visit alone, but joining a group helps with costs, safety and company, especially for longer trips into the park.

Types of group experiences

• Shared boat cruises and game drives – the simplest option, open to individual travellers.
• Mobile camping safaris – trips through Chobe, Savuti and Moremi, with a driver-guide and camp crew.
• Overland trips – longer trips combining Chobe with Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, Namibia or South Africa.
• Lodge-based stays – fixed lodges where small groups share activities.

What to check

When comparing Chobe group tours for solo travellers, check the group size, whether the trip includes Victoria Falls, how much time is spent driving, whether park and activity fees are included and whether you can share a room or tent. Check the season too: the dry season brings the best wildlife viewing, while the green season is quieter and better for birds.

A popular approach is to spend a day or two in Kasane on your own, joining shared activities, then continue with a group to the Okavango Delta or Victoria Falls.