Romantic Lodges and Cruises Near Kazungula

October 31, 2026

Couples come to this stretch of the Zambezi for the water, the animals and the lodges built to face them. Kazungula is a freight and border junction, so the romance is found at the lodges and on the boats, within reach of Kasane in Botswana. The bridge is about 8 km east of Kasane.

Lodges at a glance

Chobe Water Villas: Namibia, Kasika Conservancy, on the Chobe River.
Ichingo Chobe River Lodge: Namibia, Impalila Island.
Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma: Zambia, on the Zambezi near Livingstone and the Falls.

Chobe Water Villas

The villas stand on stilts above the river and look out across the water to Chobe National Park and Sedudu Island. Getting there means a boat from Kasane of about 15 minutes. Rates reported for the lodge are all-inclusive, which is worth checking against anything you compare it with.

Ichingo Chobe River Lodge

Ichingo is on Impalila Island, reached by boat from Kasane, and you clear Namibian immigration at Kasane first. Rates and reviews for 2026 are online. Couples who like birds will find Pel’s fishing owl, African finfoot and white-backed night heron on the island’s operator itineraries.

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma

This lodge is on the Zambezi near Livingstone, close to the Falls, and far from Kazungula. It fits a trip where the Falls come first and Chobe is a side trip. Rates for 2026 are published, so compare before choosing.

A sunset boat

Lodges around Kasane arrange private sunset cruises on the Chobe, which is the most relaxed way to share the evening light with elephants on the bank. Book a private boat for quiet, and follow the captain’s lead near hippos.

Flying over the Falls

Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls take off from Livingstone and from Victoria Falls town. Compare flight lengths and prices among operators on both sides.

Choosing your dates

The dry months, about May to October, are best for game viewing because animals gather at the river. From about November to April the green season brings storms, thick bush and migrant birds. Swimming at Devil’s Pool, in Zambia, is usually possible from about mid-August to mid-January, with a guide.

Safety for couples on the water

Do not swim in the Chobe or the Zambezi. Crocodiles and hippos live in both.
Stay on lodge paths after dark and walk along the bank only with a licensed guide.
If an elephant is on the road, stop and give it room.
Chobe District is listed as a malaria area, so ask a doctor about antimalarials.
Normal travel precautions apply, and entry rules should be rechecked before you fly.

Booking a stay

Look at river lodge availability on Booking.com and read the UK government Botswana travel advice .