× title-placeholder message-placeholder 🛖 TakeYourBackpack.com find your next backpacking destination covering all countries in the world extensive info per country personal stories and photos learn how to backpack like a pro Skip to main content home advisor destinations Africa Asia Europe North America South America Oceania All countries Where to go? inspiration Photos & stories World cities Famous hikes National parks Best beaches Famous festivals World wonders UNESCO sites All highlights planning search bucketlist Botswana 🇧🇼 Chobe Riverfront Hike the Chobe Riverfront, Botswana. Check things to see along the trail and best time to go Explore Central Kalahari Game Reserve Explore Tsodilo Hills Intro | Highlights | Map | Best time to go | Where to stay? | Details | Guide | Botswana | FAQ | What to expect when backpacking in Chobe Riverfront The Chobe Riverfront hike in Botswana offers a stunning mix of wildlife and river views, making it a real treat for nature lovers. Stretching about 10 kilometers, the trail is relatively easy, but watch out for the heat—bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Getting to the trailhead can be a bit tricky with public transport; you might need to hitch a ride or negotiate with local taxis. While the scenery is breathtaking, especially with elephants roaming nearby, it can get crowded, especially during peak season. Compared to other hikes in Botswana, like those in Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe feels more accessible but lacks some of the remote charm found elsewhere. Just remember, the beauty comes with a side of hustle! Discover everything you want to know in the 📖  Botswana Travel Guide . Best time to go: May – October Duration: 3 to 5 days Distance: 5 to 20 kilometers Total ascent: 0 meters Get your Botswana Travel Guide 💡 Top Highlights Best things to see along Chobe Riverfront Botswana Grab your own Travelguide for only Massive Elephant Herds on the Banks — Chobe’s claim to fame: huge, often noisy herds that come down to drink and cross the river. On foot (with a guide) you feel their scale and presence in a way vehicle safaris don’t—tusks, mud-slinging and all—making this more than a “spot and drive on” experience. Mirror-like Sunsets over the River — wide water, low horizon and animals silhouetted against molten gold. The riverfront’s reflections and long vistas turn ordinary sunsets into photographic stunners and slow, quiet moments you won’t get in dense bush trails. Birdlife Bonanza — a riverine mix of kingfishers, African skimmers, giant herons, pelicans and the iconic fish eagle. The variety and sheer numbers along the water’s edge make this a top spot for birding—every pool and reed-bed brings a new species into view. Shifting Floodplains and Channel Islands — the landscape changes with the seasons: braided channels, oxbow lagoons and temporary islands that concentrate game. Hiking here means seeing dynamic water-driven scenery—a constantly remade habitat that makes each visit feel different. River-bank Drama: Hippos, Crocs and Local River Life — pods of hippos, lounging crocodiles and fishermen in small boats give the riverfront a raw, real edge. Add the ferry and riverside villages near Kazungula for a dash of local culture; it’s wildlife and human life rubbing shoulders in a way unique to Chobe. Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact me. To view the map, please enable javascript Loading the map 🌍 CLICK TO FILTER city town village unique site national park hike festival region 🌤️ When to Go? Best Time to visit Chobe Riverfront Hiking the Chobe Riverfront is a fantastic experience, but timing is everything. The best months to go are during the dry season, from May to October. This is when temperatures are more bearable, usually ranging from about 10°C (50°F) in the mornings to around 30°C (86°F) during the day. If you’re thinking about the wet season, which runs from November to April, be prepared for some serious heat and humidity. Daytime temps can soar to 35°C (95°F) or higher, and you might find yourself dodging rain showers. Plus, the trails can get muddy and less accessible. For a sweet spot, aim for early morning hikes. The wildlife is more active, and the temperatures are cooler. Plus, there’s something magical about watching the sunrise over the river. Pro-tip: Bring plenty of water and snacks. It’s easy to underestimate how much you’ll need, especially in the heat. A good hydration pack can be a lifesaver! JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC © Google 🛏️ Where to Stay? Best Places to Stay in Chobe Riverfront If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option. Best hostels in Botswana Best quality hotels in Botswana 🥾 Get Your Walking Shoes Trail Details of Chobe Riverfront Total Distance: The Chobe Riverfront trail covers approximately 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) if you decide to hike the full stretch along the river. Estimated Duration: Plan for around 2 to 4 days to complete the hike, depending on your pace and how much time you spend soaking in the scenery or wildlife spotting. Difficulty Level: This trail is generally considered moderate. You’ll encounter some uneven terrain and occasional steep sections, but nothing too extreme if you’re reasonably fit. Starting Point: The trail typically begins at Kasane, a small town near the Chobe National Park. … read more 👉 Total Distance: The Chobe Riverfront trail covers approximately 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles) if you decide to hike the full stretch along the river. Estimated Duration: Plan for around 2 to 4 days to complete the hike, depending on your pace and how much time you spend soaking in the scenery or wildlife spotting. Difficulty Level: This trail is generally considered moderate. You’ll encounter some uneven terrain and occasional steep sections, but nothing too extreme if you’re reasonably fit. Starting Point: The trail typically begins at Kasane, a small town near the Chobe National Park. To get there by public transport, you can take a bus from major cities like Livingstone in Zambia or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The ride usually takes a few hours, so be prepared for a bit of a journey. Major Landmarks Along the Route: Chobe National Park: You’ll be hiking right alongside this iconic park, famous for its large elephant population. Chobe River: The river itself is a stunning backdrop, offering opportunities to spot hippos and crocodiles. Kasane Forest Reserve: This area features diverse ecosystems and is great for birdwatching. Type of Terrain and Scenery: Expect a mix of sandy paths, riverbanks, and some rocky outcrops. The scenery is breathtaking, with sweeping views of the Chobe River and surrounding landscapes, especially at sunrise and sunset. Typical Vegetation: The trail is lined with a variety of vegetation, including acacia trees, mopane woodlands, and tall grasses. You’ll also see riverine forests along the banks, which provide habitat for many animals. Wildlife: This area is a wildlife haven. Keep your eyes peeled for: Elephants: They’re everywhere, often seen drinking from the river. Buffalo: You might spot herds grazing in the open areas. Birds: Over 450 species inhabit the region, including kingfishers and fish eagles. Predators: You might catch a glimpse of lions or leopards if you’re lucky. Make sure to carry plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes, and keep your camera ready. The Chobe Riverfront is an unforgettable experience for any independent hiker! ⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that’s off, I’d love to hear from you,so I can update it for fellow travelers. ✈️ Get your own digital guidebook Botswana Travel Guide Discover the best Botswana has to offer — handpicked hikes, must-see cities, hidden gems, local festivals, and more. All in one handy downloadable pdf Botswana 115 pages full of highlights ✅ Why visit & When to go ✅ 47 must-see highlights ✅ 21-day country itinerary ✅ Top hikes & National parks ▼ More inside ✅ Best areas to stay ✅ History of country & cities ✅ Essential phrases & customs ✅ Key festivals & Events ✅ Money, food & transport Get your Guide Now Start planning today! 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Explore Botswana Chobe Riverfront isn’t the only highlight in Botswana. Explore all what Botswana has to offer. 🌆 Cities        Compare the top best cities : Gaborone, Francistown, Palapye, see all 🏡 Towns        Compare the top best towns : Kasane, Maun, Shakawe , see all 🌽 Villages        Compare the top best villages : Mokoro, see all ⭐️ Unique sites        Compare the top best wonders : Savuti Channel, see all 🏞️ National parks        Compare the top best parks : Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe , see all 🚶‍♀️ Hikes        Compare the top best hikes : Chobe Riverfront, Moremi Gorge Trail, Khama Rhino Sanctuary Walking Trails, see all 🎎 Festivals        Compare the top best festivals : Gaborone International Music and Culture Week, Maun International Arts, Maitisong, see all 🏝️ Regions        Compare the top best regions : Kalahari Desert, see all Explore Botswana ✈️ Ready to Go? Chobe Riverfront FAQ Get your own 2025 guide book for Botswana The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure. Botswana Grab your own Travelguide for only How do I find the best and cheapest places to stay in Chobe Riverfront? Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus. Best hostels in Botswana Best quality hotels in Botswana What should I pack for a backpacking trip to Botswana? Botswana’s got a wild mix of climates, so pack smart! Days can get scorching—think 30°C and above—especially in the Kalahari Desert, while nights in the Okavango Delta can be surprisingly chilly. Lightweight, breathable clothes are your best friend, but toss in a warm layer or two for those evening safaris. If you’re heading to rural areas or visiting villages, modest clothing is appreciated; think longer skirts for women and sleeves for both genders. Rainy season hits between November and March, so a compact rain jacket will save you from surprise showers. Keep it light, keep it versatile! Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere. Money & Documents Passport, visa (originals + some photo copies) Passport photographs Credit and debit cards (on world profile) Cash (US$ or €) Money belt Vaccination proofs Clothing Light, quick-dry clothing No jeans, too heavy Ultralight rain/wind jacket Thermo underwear Quick-dry towel Sunglasses Electronics Mobile phone + charger Power bank Travel adapter Local sim card (buy it on arrival) Health Toothbrush Deo Sunscreen, lips sunburn Anti-diarrhea Paracetamol Vitamin C Blister plasters Iodine (for desinfecting wounds) Anti-mosquito (DEET) Bit of emergency toilet paper Nail scissors Others Small number lock Waterproof packing cubes (for dirty clothes) Deck of cards(!) Ear plugs Travel pillow Spare glasses/contacts Kobo reader Moneybelt “Best way to carry your important documents” Light Backpack “Handy, lightweight backpack, excellent for backpackers who travel light” Large Backpack “Waterproof large lightweight backpack, excellent for backpackers who want to bring a lot” Outlander daypack “Handy Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack, available in many colours” Carry on Backpack 40L “Whenever you can, travel with just carry-on luggage, saves costs and makes traveling much easier” Quick dry pant “Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling” Light rain jacket “Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry” Thermo underwear “Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets” Quick dry towel “Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling” Travel adapter “Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs” Number lock “No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories” Packing cubes “Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest” Travel pillow “Light and great for flights and long bus journeys” Lightweight, small mosquito net “Easy to carry, great for those nights where mosquitos are all around you” Kobo Reader “For reading 1.000s of books while carrying only one” Power bank “Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more” DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlogging Camera “The camera for quick videos while traveling” Waterproof action camera “Great action camera for outdoor active enthousiasts” Panasonic LUMIX FZ80D Compact Camera “When you need a large optical zoom (e.g. for safaris), look no further. The Lumix has a massive 20-1200mm zoom lens” Go Pro “The absolute champion in action videos” Ultra light tent “With only 1.08kg (2.38 pounds) this one is just the best you can get.” Ultra light sleeping airbed “Ultra light, still very comfortable and isolating!” Vitamin C “Vitamin C pills to compensate for less balanced food” Blister Plasters “Blister plasters for those long hikes” Iodine “Iodine for self desinfecting small open wounds” Mosquito repellant “Let‘s give those mosquito‘s no chance with 98% DEET” Got more questions? See the FAQ for all questions and answers for backpacking in Botswana. I 💚 feedback Final Thoughts As you sip your coffee, let me tell you: the Chobe Riverfront has this magical vibe—wild yet serene. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants crossing the river at sunset; it’s a sight that’ll stick with you. Just a heads up: the mosquitoes can be relentless, so pack some good repellent. Trust me, you’ll want to enjoy the beauty without the itch! 🫱 Share this page 🙋‍♂️ Give feedback last page update: 20 November 2025 Take  Your  Backpack Home Advisor Destinations Inspiration Planning Search To sign up for the nesletter, please enable javascript STAY UP TO DATE Sign up for the newsletter Africa Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte d’Ivoire Dem. Rep. of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Réunion Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe Asia Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Türkiye (Turkey) Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Europe Albania Andorra Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia (Czech Republic) Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Guernsey Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Jersey Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Svalbard Sweden Switzerland Türkiye (Turkey) Ukraine United Kingdom Vatican City State North  America Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Sint Maarten Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States United States Virgin Islands Oceania American Samoa Australia Cook Islands East Timor Fiji French Polynesia Guam Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Timor-Leste Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu South  America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Curaçao Ecuador Falkland Islands French Guiana Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies | About me To use these links, please enable javascript © takeyourbackpack.com | Contact To contact me enable javascript