For a Botswana destination that offers families a host of activities, you can’t beat Kasane. By Lea Erasmus
Kasane is a destination in its own right, attracting large numbers of visitors to Botswana’s northern border – and it’s easy to see just why. Not only is the Chobe a mecca for game viewing, birding and fishing, but it also acts as a base camp for excursions to Victoria Falls. There are several lovely camping options in Kasane, but our favourite – time and again – is the campsite at Chobe Safari Lodge.
In winter 2025, Kasane was one of the main destinations on our family overlanding trip. From our last stop in the Zambezi region, we travelled there via Katima Mulilo and the Ngoma Bridge Border Post. The early morning crossing was quiet and straightforward.
Tip for travelling with kids: Prep the kids before getting out of the car: shoes on, a soft toy or something to keep them occupied, and a quick story about what a border crossing is and why it’s part of the adventure.
This particular border even has a huge baobab with a hollow centre, which was a great feature to explore and the perfect introduction to the many baobabs still to come.
The transit road that followed was an adventure of its own, with elephants, giraffes and warthogs commonly seen along the way. Arriving at Chobe Safari Lodge Campsite, we set up camp under the shady trees and explored the leafy, expansive property. The pool at Chobe Bush Lodge was a hit with the whole family and, of course, the G&T that followed!
As I write this, we’ve visited again and the lodge has undergone some fantastic upgrades, including an interactive Elephant Centre and a guided nature walk right on the property.
A 3-night stay in Kasane is usually ideal, and here’s how we made the most of ours:
Chobe boat cruise
Seeing the park from the river is a highlight for all ages. The boat is especially great for kids (best from age 6+) as they can move around, stretch their legs and enjoy a different perspective from being in the car.
Our little ones loved testing out their binoculars, helping us spot animals and birds, and standing in awe as we drifted by elephants, buffalos, hippos and crocs. As the birders of the family, we were thrilled to see African Skimmers breeding along the islands and riverbank.
We ended the day with dinner at Sedudu Bar & Grill, Chobe Safari Lodge’s open-air restaurant overlooking the Chobe River. Good food, live African music and candlelight created the perfect atmosphere.
Tip: Pack snacks and kiddies drinks (avoid noisy wrappers!) for the boat trip and don’t forget sunblock. If your kids are younger, ask your lodge about smaller, private cruises.
Self-drive in Chobe National Park
After our first night of camping, we kicked off the morning with an early self-drive in Chobe National Park. Preparation is everything: we always pack brunch ingredients at the top of the fridge the night before. We prep the kids’ seating area to be comfy and clutter-free and also keep flasks and rusks handy for early-morning munchies!
The Chobe Riverfront is legendary for big game, and it didn’t disappoint. The kids were mesmerised by the endless stream of elephants coming down to drink. Later, after stopping to investigate alarm calls from two jackals, we were rewarded with a glimpse of a leopard emerging from the bushes.
The park has a stretch point with ablutions and picnic tables on the banks of the river… but keep a sharp eye out, as the area is unfenced!
A day trip to Victoria Falls
One of Kasane’s biggest perks is how easy it is to visit Victoria Falls for the day. Be prepared for a full day, jam-packed with a border crossing, drive through the park, epic scenery of the falls and dipping your toes into Zimbabwe’s cultural melting pot in Victoria Falls town!
Most camps and lodges offer day trips, operated by trusted activity and transfer companies. A guide will escort you through the border and manage the logistics en route.
Tip: Pre-apply for the eVisa to speed things up. Make sure you have all necessary paperwork for crossing the border.
We’ve done the trip both in our own vehicle and by transfer. For a one-day visit, I’d definitely recommend using the transfer. It freed us up to focus on the experience rather than navigation, roadblocks, and paperwork.
The falls were absolutely awe-inspiring. Our guided visit added so much context about the history and geology of this natural wonder. Lunch at The Lookout Café was another highlight: excellent food, sweeping gorge views and lots of safe space for kids to run around.
The kids were captivated by the high-adrenaline activities visible from the deck. The gorge swing and highline adventures definitely left an impression on their young minds – they still often remind us of what they saw!
Next time, we’ll stay overnight to explore more of the town: e-biking, the Boma dinner and drum show, wandering the markets and trying out more restaurants and activities.
Tips for travelling to Kasane with kids:
- Pick child-friendly accommodation. Fenced properties have space for kids to run and play safely. After bush camping for some time, this allows mom and dad to relax a little.
- Invest time in a variety of activities with the kids – ask the activity desk of the camp you are at for suggestions or pre-book these.
- Plan for shorter activities like a morning game drive or afternoon boat cruise.
- For the in-between times, take the kids to the pool, plan for some campsite crafts or simply have them rest.
- Consult with your doctor about malaria medication. Repellents and covering up with long, light attire can also help. We take along malaria test kits just in case.
- Book at least three nights in Kasane. It creates a base from which to explore and settle for a while before the longer stretches homeward again.
- Remember to pre-apply for an eVisa before crossing to Zimbabwe. This helps the process along IF all systems are operational when you cross.
Staying a little longer in one place increases your chances of seeing more, learning more and truly soaking up everything a destination has to offer.
This is an important concept to remember as travellers and also to teach our kids.
Recently released, edition 3 of the Botswana Self-Drive Guide has all the information you need to plan an expedition to this country. Along with destination descriptions, accommodation listings and atlas pages, the guide covers vital overlanding advice. Learn how to prepare your vehicle, what to pack, how to handle border crossings and more. The Botswana Traveller’s Paper Map is equally suited to route planning and navigation. Order the two products as a guide book and paper map bundle to save.
About the overlanders
Lea and Francois Erasmus have turned their love of the outdoors and overlanding into a travel business. Since 2018, overlanders depend on Ultimate Routes to design and book custom itineraries in Southern Africa.
