Hwange, Chobe and Zambezi Park Day Trips

Think of Victoria Falls as the middle of a compass. Each direction has a different trip, a different travel time and different paperwork.

North and nearby: Zambezi National Park

A game drive starts about 5 km from the town centre, so a morning departure still leaves the afternoon free. The park fee is about US$17 for international visitors. Add whatever your operator charges on top.

South-east: Hwange National Park

Leave at dawn if you want to see Hwange in a day. The distance to Main Camp is roughly 172 to 195 km, taking about 2.5 hours, and it ends with the 23 km tar road from Cross Mabale. The return journey takes just as long, so game time is limited and an overnight is more rewarding. Entry involves the ZimParks daily conservation fee and a vehicle fee. Painted Dog Conservation at Dete is outside the park and costs nothing to enter.

In the dry months the animals come to pumped waterholes. Hwange has no permanent rivers, so there are no boat trips.

West: Chobe in Botswana

The Kazungula crossing is about 70 km away. With the US$50 KAZA UniVisa, eligible travellers can visit Botswana for the same day. Stay overnight and the visa cover ends. Chobe is the Botswana park to pick for wildlife.

Across the bridge: Livingstone

Zambia lies on the other side of the Victoria Falls Bridge. Livingstone Museum and Mosi-oa-Tunya are on that side. A Zambian single-entry visa or the KAZA UniVisa lets you in. Devil’s Pool is on Livingstone Island and the boat leaves from the Zambian bank, mostly from mid-August to mid-January. Under-10s cannot go, and under-12s cannot swim.

East: Binga

Binga is a trip in its own right. The A8 turn-off is at Cross Dete near the Total garage, then 154 km on a road that is tarred to Kamativi and potholed beyond. Door to door, it is about 305 to 310 km and 4 to 5 hours. Spend a night, and visit the BaTonga Community Museum with care.

Too far for a day

Bulawayo, around 440 km, and the Matobo, Khami, Great Zimbabwe and Mana Pools sites sit in other provinces.

Driving checklist

  • No driving outside towns at night.
  • Allow time for potholes and animals on the road.
  • Fill the tank when you can, because fuel runs short.

Read more: Multi-day trips and Activities .

To compare organised excursions, use Viator day-trip search or read the KAZA UniVisa site .