Would think it depends on how much you love waterfalls? For me, a few hours is enough. Yes, I've seen Victoria, Iguazu. Niagra.

regards - tom

Like tom, I would stay in the park and do a day trip or one night Vic Falls.

I agree! Stay in Chobe! You only need a couple of hours at the falls, unless you plan to partake in some of the activities, such as white water rafting. Personally, I think the falls are very beautiful but overrated, but then I am Canadian and am able to visit Niagara Falls whenever I like. Given the choice between more time on safari and more time at the falls, the safari wins - simple decision from my perspective. CR

I went to vic falls for 2 nights and that was WAY too much! The falls are amazing but besides that there is nothing to do... stay in Chobe! It is amazing

Look into staying on the Ichobezi safariboat for at least three nights. One night at Vic Falls (Zimbabwe side in August) would be more than enough. The safariboat is a wonderful way to see the Chobe area from the water, including "game drives" in small speedboats. We got really close to all the wildlife that was coming down to the river to drink. On the safariboat itself, we were surrounded by elephants day and night. I've also heard good things about Imbabala Safari Lodge in the Chobe region.

Agree, 1/day at VFA is more than sufficient. And, Falls views are best on the Zimbabwe side.

We arrived from JNB, did a sunset cruise that late-afternoon, overnight at hotel and next morning the Falls visit. Lovely, and at a time when you could really see something... in otherwords, not at full flow when you can't see much, have to be in a raincoat/hat and difficult, if at all, take pics.

After the Falls visit, road transfer 1/hr to Botswana border, than about another 30/min to Chobe where we stayed 2/nts, returned to VFA and flight back to JNB.

You will, of course, require a multi-entry ZIM Visa which is maybe $10 addtl over the single entry.

My DH and I spent two nights on the Ichobezi (houseboat) and I agree with ShayTay - it is a wonderful (and unique) way to see Chobe. CR

http://www.ichobezi.co.za/where-to-stay/ichobezi-safariboats

Air Botswana also has flights from Kasane to JNB, but not every day. If you timed it right, you could avoid returning to Vic Falls/Zim for your return flight. Or reverse and go to Kasane/Chobe first, then fly out of Vic Falls, back to JNB.

I'd investigate Shaytay's suggestion.

Thanks for the advice. We will be flying from Johannesburg to Kasane where we will be staying for 3 nights. We will be staying at The Old House, which is a small bed & breakfast that was within our extremely limited budget. After 3 nights, we will transfer to Livingstone, Zambia where we will be staying at another bed & breakfast for 2 nights. I understand that the falls should be more impressive on the Zimbabwe side so we might just cross the border for the day. Staying on the Zimbabwe side and flying back to Johannesburg from there is much more experience than on the Zambian side.

You will need Yellow Fever Vaccination if you go into Zambia and then return via South Africa.

Yeah, we're gonna have to get that vaccine. No big deal. We might stay on the Zimbabwe side after all but we'll still fly back to Johannesburg from Livingstone since it's MUCH cheaper, 400$ cheaper actually!!!

You can overland and save the airfare. I used Kumuka.

Vic Falls is so beautiful and there is plenty to do!

Chobe is pure Safari while Vic Falls is for Adventure.

Victoria Falls (Both sides Zimbabwe and Zambia)
-White water rafting
-Lion Walk
-Can walk to the bridge right there in Zambia and bungee jump
-Victoria Falls (but this is only about 3 hours worth)
-You can either stay at Shoestrings Hostel or Victoria Falls Hotel which has the best tea time.

-Also, you can go rock climbing, bungee jumping (but head first and then you swing once you hit the bottom),abseiling, rappelling, etc in the jungle.

Chobe is the BEST safari ever!
You can stay in the park.
The rooms 3 years ago were $100 and were really nice or you can camp.
Loads of elephants playing in the water!
The best experience outside of Chitwan in Nepal.

At the resort there is a pool and you drink and then go on safari boat cruises. It is so much fun.

Taking the bush camping trip in the Okavango Delta is a must!
2 days suffice unless you have a rowdy crowd! :')

Out of the 3 Chobe is more unique to Africa.
Happy Travels!

In Vic Falls you stay in Zimbabwe.
You can walk to Zambia.

If you are really into white water rafting the Zambezi is a must.
This is the only place I have been to where you can swim in some of the rapids.

The wake board is included in the price.
You can do it in about 2-3 rapids.
So much fun!

You need a day for this trip.

Later somebody told me there were crocodiles in the water.
Duh!
It is Africa!
There is everything in Africa!
Don't worry you swim really fast downhill and why it is so much fun. ;')

Based on the recommendation from Sandy and Atravelynn we are only spending one night in Vic Falls--our operator had us two or three nights at the Falls. Also based on ShayTay's recommendation we did book the Ichobezi Lodge with the Safari boat. We are really looking forward to Ichobezi--they have just remodeled the bathrooms at the Ichobezi lodge and the boats have been remodeled also.

Live2Travel1000, you'll love the safariboat! It will be one of the smoothest "game drives" you'll ever go on. The small speedboats they use are a great way to get up close and personal to the wildlife along the riverbank... so much better than trying to see things from the roads. Expect some envious looks from all the people crammed in the day boats!

ShayTay - you have started a great trend! Looking forward to the trip report, L2T.

I'll be watching for the Ichobezi report also.

It looks fantastic and am hoping to include it in one of my future trips.

Agree with the recommendations above. We did a helicopter ride over the falls and thought that it was well worth it, even though our pilot had flown over the falls on our arrival to Vic Falls airport. I would also strongly recommend the trip to Livingstone Island after viewing the falls from the Zim side. Given the choice between the two, I'd pick Livingstone Island. The experience there was really breathtaking!

Right now we're doing 2 nights in Vic Falls, 4 nights in Hwange, 2 more nights in Vic Falls and 3 nights in Chobe. Any thoughts?

That's a lot of time in Vic Falls! I would spend two of those four nights (3 would be better!) on the houseboat that ShayTay recommends. We spent two nights on the Ichobezi in 2008 - skip to page 30 of the following report for photos and a written account of our time on the houseboat - highly recommended. CR

http://bert-and-bin.smugmug.com/Travel/Botswana-2008/6570901_CHCFz5

oh the boat looks great but it is way out of our price range. 2 X 2 nights in Vic Falls doesn't look too long for us. 1 day to see the falls, we want to do some canoe on the Zambezi, maybe do a walking safari or the walk with lions excursion, walk around town, etc. We're saving a lot of money this way to afford staying at a lodge in Chobe and in Hwange.

Definitely do the Safariboat. I have been on it a number of times and it is amazing. I would do 2 nights in Vic Falls as you will then have 1 full day to explore and then 3 nights on the Ichobezi Safariboat.

Mark
Owner - Taga Safaris Africa

We did these stops last summer at the same time of year you are going. We did not go to the Zambia side based on the info we read beforehand- that Zim side was better. We spent about 3 hours there and had plenty of time. A few pieces of advice: if you are "into" photographs, plan to be there toward sunset (getting there maybe 3 hours before) so that you have a nicer view of the falls. As is turned out, my hubby accidently ran our video camera incorrectly so we had no footage of our visit, but I took plenty of photos. We stopped again on our way back through and this was earlier in the day. It was okay for video but photos were not nearly as nice. The water will be blownout due to the harsh light and not look as nice. Also be prepared to get a little wet so take along hooded jacket and something to protect your camera.

We stayed at the Rainbow Inn (Zim). The first stay was on their "el" (extension) and these rooms were very nice. On our way back through we stayed in the main part of the hotel and these rooms were not nearly as nice. Just FYI.

We took the sunset cruise on the Zambezi but honestly found this to be quite boring. The boat went VERY slowly but we did see a few animals. The sunset photo ops, however, made the cruise but we wouldn't pay to do this again.

If you go to the outdoor markets you can often exchange almost anything for their goods. (not necessarily $) You'd be surprised at what you could exchange if you take along $1.99 flip flops from the States! The curio shops downtown are pretty "touristy" and more expensive. The open market is just outside of town and has more "authentic" goods and more reasonable prices.

We also did the helicopter flight over the Falls and would absolutely recommend this. *Well* worth the money. You can get by with taking the shorter flight (there are 2 options). If you are going with someone (not just yourself) make sure you both know how to run the camera and video. There will be 1 person on the helicopter (6 passengers total as I recall) who will be in the middle and thus limits being able to use these. Getting there early makes no difference because they weigh you and you are seated accordingly. If you have a seat by the window, open the window to take photos now and then because the windows are scuffed enough that it does inhibit photographing a bit. I realized this as we took off so just sat up a bit higher to take photos. Keep in mind you will need a reservation for this. You may get in later that day but not likely you will get in within an hour or two so plan accordingly.

Chobe was AWESOME! You will enjoy yourselves there. Plan enough time at the border crossing as it can be very busy there. In Kasane we ate at a combo Indian/Chinese/pizza place and the food was good. As always remember you are "on Africa time" so patience is key. There is also a HUGE buffet at Chobe Safari Lodge. It is nightly (and also at noon if hotel is busy enough). I believe this was like $20 each.

If you are staying in Kasane, you will take either a sandy road that runs parallel to the river or the sandy road that runs along the river. If you are driving yourselves (i.e. not doing a regular tour and have a say in the matter) take the parallel road first so you can end your day along the river. Nicer for photographs and animal viewing. You will drive one way then make a loop around to come back to Kasane. (There aren't multiple roads going to and from the park.)

While in Botswana, have some Pula, Rand and Dollars. Especially with meals and park fees (not to mention your hotel) they have different conversions, which many place change daily. If you memorize the conversion you will be able to assess your best method of payment. This saved us several hundred dollars while we were there (but takes a few minutes each time obviously).

I can't recommend enough taking the boat cruise at Chobe as well. Our boat left from our lodge (Chobe Safari Lodge). We had our own boat for the 3 of us (reserved that way) and it was nice so you didn't have to have people's arms or heads in the way. We saw animals nonstop on this ride and were disappointed when it was over.

You are going to have an awesome experience! Remember there is no such thing as too many photos and be sure to keep a journal of your experiences. The little details are quickly forgotten but so fun to remember!