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Safari boat, wildlife on the water, golden-hour sunsets
We said goodbye to Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel and began one of the most unforgettable legs of our African journey, crossing borders, changing vehicles mid-trip and heading straight into the wild. Our destination was the heart of Chobe National Park, but getting there was an adventure in its own right.
Crossing four countries in one journey
The drive took us toward the famous Kazungula Border Post where four countries meet:
Zambia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Namibia
What sounds simple on a map turns into a wonderfully memorable reality on the ground.
The drive became a quiet window into everyday life in Zambia and through to northern Botswana, small villages slipping past, cattle wandering the roadside, children in school uniforms walking in groups and locals chatting in the shade. Our local driver shared how many families still rely on subsistence farming and livestock, growing maize and sorghum for household use, with cattle remaining a key source of income and social standing. Life here is shaped by the land and the river, with fishing, small-scale agriculture and tourism supporting local communities. Watching daily life unfold through the window felt grounding and deeply human, a gentle contrast to the wild landscapes waiting ahead.
Along the way, there were passport checks, biosecurity rituals, health quarantine stops and yes, every single pair of shoes had to be disinfected. A heads-up would have been nice, because trying to open a suitcase in the middle of a car park, juggling shoes like a circus act, was less than graceful.
We were officially cleared on one side of the building, then quite literally walked through another door and exited into another country.
One door out. Another country in.
At the border, we were also swapped from our mini-van into a safari vehicle the moment when the journey quietly shifted from “travel mode” to full safari immersion.
Arriving at Chobe Game Lodge
From the border, we drove straight into the wild, settling into Chobe Game Lodge, an all women guided lodge set directly on the river with uninterrupted views and wildlife wandering freely across the grounds. Established in 1973, it’s the only permanent lodge inside Chobe National Park, offering a front-row seat to elephants, hippos, and buffalo right outside your room. With 40 stylish rooms with private balconie, plus a long elevated boardwalk perfect for sunset drinks while watching the river, the lodge combines comfort with immersion in nature. Guided by expert women rangers and using solar-powered boats and electric safari vehicles, it’s a quietly spectacular, eco-conscious safari experience that feels both intimate and unforgettable.
From the moment we arrived, it felt special.
Calm.
Wild.
And beautifully run.
Four magical nights on land and water
We spent four fabulous nights in Chobe, following a rhythm that quickly became our favourite part of the trip:
Early morning game drives and mid afternoon safaris by boat on the river and then sunset game drives
Being on the water offered a completely different perspective of the park.
We watched:
- elephant families moving quietly along the riverbanks
- massive crocodiles lying motionless in the shallows
- and powerful hippos reminding everyone exactly who truly rules these waters
It was wildlife at eye level and often uncomfortably close in the most thrilling way.
Sunset safaris and new friendships
Our afternoons wrapped up with sunset cocktails along the river, soft light across the water, and stories shared with new safari friends from the UK.
There is something about being far from routine and surrounded by nature that makes strangers feel like old friends very quickly.
Evenings were spent back at the lodge with relaxed, beautifully prepared meals and early nights, ready for the next day’s 5:30am wake up call.
Every drive brought something new
No two safaris were ever the same. Across our morning and afternoon outings we saw:
- families of lions and big cats on the prowl
- elephants moving in long, silent lines
- giraffes drifting through the trees
- baboons creating their own brand of chaos
Every drive brought something different, a new moment, a new story, a new memory.
These are the kinds of experiences that don’t blur together afterwards. The roaring lion stays sharply engraved.
Thoughtful hospitality in the wild
All meals and drinks were included for the duration of our stay, with à la carte dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with morning and afternoon tea.
The food was plentiful, beautifully presented and of excellent quality, a luxury you truly appreciate after long, dusty and exhilarating days out on safari.
Etched forever
From disinfected shoes and border stamps, to drifting silently past elephants at sunset, Chobe delivered far more than wildlife sightings. It delivered perspective.
Adventure at every turn.
Nature at its most powerful.
And memories that will stay with us forever.
- Alex
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- Victoria Falls
