Family Friendly Fun Around Kazungula

October 31, 2026

Children tend to enjoy this part of Africa when the day is built from short, comfortable stretches: a boat, a vehicle, a viewpoint. Kasane in Botswana is the practical base, about 8 km west of the Kazungula Bridge. Here is how to put a family day together and what to watch for.

Start with the water

A Chobe river cruise lasts about three hours. Elephants wade at the shore, hippos surface close by, and crocodiles lie on sandbanks, all seen from a boat that stays well back from the hippos. Cruises often leave around 9:00 to 9:30 in the morning or in the late afternoon. Ask operators about minimum ages before you book.

Costs for children

Entry to Chobe National Park is about BWP 270 for an international adult per day from April 2026. Children from 8 to 17 pay about BWP 135, and children under 8 enter free. Those are the international tariffs, so confirm them with the national parks department, and bring cash for Sedudu Gate.

Open vehicle game drives

Drives commonly run from about 3:00 to 6:00 pm. That is long for small children, so pack water, snacks and sun hats. Expect elephants most of all, plus lions, leopards and buffalo. Rhino are essentially absent. If an elephant stands on the road the driver halts and waits, and everyone stays quiet.

The Falls and Mukuni Village

On the Zambian side, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has trails along the Falls. The trip is roughly 80 km each way, and about an hour to an hour and a quarter on the road. During the wet season the spray is heavy, so bring light rain gear. Nearby, Mukuni Village is a working Leya community with a curio market, about 7 km from the Falls.

Safety rules for parents

The Zambezi and Chobe are home to crocodiles and hippos. Nobody swims, and children stay back from the bank.
Walk only with a licensed guide away from marked trails.
Chobe District is a malaria area, most risky from about November to April, so get medical advice for each child.
Give elephants a wide berth and never drive between a mother and calf.
Avoid elephant rides, cub petting and lion encounters. They are bad for the animals.
Normal travel precautions apply.

Paperwork for families

Every child needs a passport valid for six months beyond arrival. Zambia needs two blank pages and Botswana three. The KAZA UniVisa, at US$50, covers day trips into Botswana for people who need a Zambian visa. Visitors holding UK passports can stay 90 days in either country without a visa. Check current entry rules before travelling, since health screening applies to some arrivals.

Booking a family outing

Browse family safaris on Viator and see health and safety notes on the UK government Zambia safety page .