Kids and Families Near Kazungula
Families do well here when they pick outings that keep children seated and the animals at a distance. The sensible base is Kasane in Botswana, about 8 km from the Kazungula Bridge. This page answers the questions parents tend to ask, in the order they tend to ask them.
What can children actually do?
The headline outing is the Chobe cruise, which lasts around three hours from Kasane. Children watch elephants at the shoreline, hippos in the shallows and crocodiles on the banks. Operators steer clear of hippos. Next comes the open-vehicle drive, which usually covers an afternoon from about 3:00 to 6:00 pm. On the Zambian side, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers trails around the Falls, and Mukuni Village has a crafts market.
Ask each company for its minimum age before you book, as limits for cruises and drives vary by operator.
What does it cost for kids?
| Visitor | Daily Chobe park fee (international, from April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult | about BWP 270 |
| Child 8 to 17 | about BWP 135 |
| Child under 8 | free |
Check the figures with the national parks department. Fees are collected in cash at the gate.
How long can they sit still?
Not long, in practice. A drive of about three hours in a vehicle tests younger children, so bring snacks, water, hats and something to look at through binoculars. The trip to the Falls from the bridge is about 80 km, which takes roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter by road. Spray at the Falls is heavy when the river is high, so pack rain jackets. For a longer family plan see the Victoria Falls 3 day itinerary .
What are the real dangers?
- Crocodiles and hippos live in the Zambezi and the Chobe. Nobody should swim, paddle or play at the edge.
- Elephants cross roads. The driver stops and the family stays quiet and in the vehicle. Nobody drives between an elephant and its calf.
- Chobe District is on the malaria list, and the peak runs from about November to April. A doctor should advise on tablets for each child.
- Walks away from marked paths need a licensed guide.
- Elephant rides and lion encounters are not worth booking, since they hurt the animals.
- General precautions apply, as anywhere.
What about the border?
Each child needs a passport. Zambia wants six months of validity with two blank pages, and Botswana six months with three. A UK passport gives 90 days in both countries without a visa. Families who need a Zambian visa can use the US$50 KAZA UniVisa for day visits to Botswana. Look at the current entry notices before leaving home.
Where to compare family tours
Search on Viator and read the UK government Zambia safety page .
Read more: Day trips across the border and group activities near Kazungula .