River View Lodge
River View Lodge rests on the banks of the Chobe River, overlooking its tranquil waters and vast floodplains. On the lodge’s sunny swimming pool deck, guests can enjoy river views from the comfort of sunloungers with a refreshing beverage from the lodge’s bar. Listen to the singing of Chobe’s prolific birdlife, and look out for elephants, buffalo and antelope who flock to the riverside in herds to drink and bathe. With just 11 comfortable chalets dotted amongst the beautiful riverbank gardens, guests can enjoy a private and peaceful safari experience on the doorstep of the Chobe National Park.
River View Lodge, Kazungula, Chobe, Botswana
River View Lodge is located on the banks of the lower Chobe River, just 13 kilometres from Chobe National Park. Guests can easily reach the lodge by flying to Kasane International Airport. Alternatively, guests can reach River View Lodge within an hours drive from either Livingstone or Victoria Falls. An airport shuttle is also available.
- Located on the banks of the Chobe River
- Close proximity to Chobe National Park
- Rich wildlife and birdlife viewing opportunities
- Range of safari activities available including game drives and boat rides
- Just an hour drive from Victoria Falls
- Swimming pool
- Curio shop
- Complimentary wi-fi available throughout the lodge
River View Lodge is a family-run safari lodge that offers a personalised service to every guest, as well as a range of safari activities to make the most of your time among Botswana’s incredible wildlife. The lodge is located beside Chobe National Park, a reserve that spans over 11,000 square kilometres and is home to tens of thousands of elephants, as well as large herds of buffalo and antelope. The river is a haven for the hippo and crocodiles who lounge in the tranquil waters, and predators such as lions and leopards will gather by the riverside to drink and hunt.
The Chobe region experiences its dry season from June/July until November. This is when the river is at its highest after the green season’s rainfall, and animals flock to the riverbanks as other waterholes begin to dry up. Temperatures are coolest during July and August, and the mornings and nights can be quite cold. The temperatures increase around September, however, and can reach the mid the high 30s.
The rainy season begins in November, which is also calving season, meaning guests will likely see adorable baby elephants during game drives. The rainy season is also when the migratory bird species return to Chobe, such as the vivid carmine bee-eaters. During this time, over 450 different species of birdlife fill Chobe National Park, many of which can be seen from the river where the birds gather to hunt fish.
River View Lodge has three twin rooms that feature comfortable twin beds with soft sheets and an en-suite bathroom. To keep the climate comfortable, ceiling fans and air-conditioning are provided. The rooms also include tea and coffee making facilities. The twin rooms each lead on to a private verandah that offers beautiful courtyard views and outdoor seating.
The double chalets are spaced out within the River View Lodge’s beautiful gardens and all offer garden and river views from the comfort of your private verandah. Each chalet includes a large king-size bed, an en-suite bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities and both air-conditioning and ceiling fans to maintain a comfortable temperature.
The deluxe double chalets are luxurious and spacious rooms that consist of large king-size beds, dressing tables, comfortable seated areas and tea and coffee making facilities. Each deluxe chalet features a spacious en-suite bathroom, as well as air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The deluxe chalets lead out to a private verandah, as well as a private deck that offer guests lovely views of the river and lodge gardens.
The free-standing family chalets are ideal for families or groups of friends. The family chalets consist of two bedrooms: a master bedroom with a comfortable king-size bed, and a second bedroom with either one or two single beds. The chalet also includes a large en-suite family bathroom, ceiling fans and air-conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities. The family chalets are located within the lodge gardens, and their private verandahs overlook the beautiful greenery and Chobe River.
The private home is an incredibly spacious and luxuriously furnished home away from home, where guests can enjoy a private and comfortable stay. The private home consists of an open-plan living space with a large lounge area, dining area, kitchen and double bedroom. The bedroom features a king-size bed and en-suite bathroom, in addition to the home’s separate bathroom and guest bathroom.
An interleading twin bedroom can also be booked for an additional fee, which consists of two twin beds. The private home has its own garden, where guests can sit out and enjoy their peaceful surroundings, and a deck that overlooks the Chobe River.
River View Lodge feature a lounge bar where guests can grab refreshing beverages to be enjoyed beside the shimmering swimming pool, as well as a communal dining area. Guests can enjoy a range of delicious meals, all freshly prepared by the lodge’s chefs. Dinner must be prebooked and consists of a variety of mouth-watering dishes, inspired by both international and local cuisine. All guests can also enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea.
Embark on an exciting game drive and see Chobe National Park’s amazing wildlife up close. Drive up to enormous herds of elephant and buffalo, and watch masses of wildlife gather by the riverside. Chobe National Park is also one of the few places where you will be able to see the endangered African wild dog, and the rare brown hyena. Learn about the amazing wildlife that depends on the Chobe River from the lodge’s experienced guides, and find the perfect spots to view game from the comfort of a specialised 4×4 safari vehicle.
Enjoy a relaxing 3-hour boat cruise along the Chobe River and view the game from a unique perspective. Sail past bathing hippos and drinking elephants while enjoying the songs of aquatic birds. The slow-moving boat offers a perfect opportunity to capture stunning photographs, and if you are lucky, you may even see herds of elephants cross the river in front of you.
Embark on a guided walk and travel to the local Kazungula Village where you will be able to meet members of the local community and learn about their customs and traditions. Guests will also be able to visit the primary school and meet the local children who have grown up beside the incredible Chobe region’s landscapes and wildlife.
Feel the wind in your hair on a bicycle tour. River View Lodge has 4 bicycles available for guests to use. Bicycle tours are unguided, allowing you to wander and explore on your own initiative and enjoy the freeing sensation of riding around in a completely new setting.
Visit the CARACAL Biodiversity Centre and learn more about the local wildlife within the Chobe region. CARACAL is a not-for-profit group that works to rescue and rehabilitate a range of amazing creatures such as snakes, bush babies, mongoose and an array of birds. Discover more about the centre and its research programs, and take the opportunity to interact with the animals and maybe even hold a snake.
River View Lodge is located next door to the Chobe Crocodile Farm, an educational home for over a thousand crocodiles. Chobe Crocodile Farm raises Nile Crocodiles and offers guests tours in order to teach them more about these incredible creatures.
Spend a night in the bush in Chobe National Park and immerse yourself in the nighttime wildlife. Guests will be able to spend a day in the park, enjoying a boat cruise along the Chobe River and an exciting afternoon game drive before settling down for the night at the campsite. Surround yourself with Chobe’s amazing inhabitants and look out for nocturnal species such as civets and bush babies.
Enjoy a relaxing fishing activity beside the tranquil waters of the Chobe. Guests can expect to find bream, carp and the African pike. Fishing is best enjoyed from June until August when the smaller baitfish are starting to join the main waterways, luring big predatory fish out with them. Reel in a gigantic catfish or barbel. Or challenge yourself by searching for the fierce tigerfish, which is most commonly found in October and November. Fishing is done on a catch-and-release basis.
Venture across the border into Zimbabwe and visit the beautiful frothing waters of Victoria Falls. Follow professional guides as they teach you about the waterfall and its history. The rainforest walk is approximately an hour and a half long, and gives guests the opportunity to stop at a number of stunning viewing points to take in the spectacular views.
River View Lodge supports a number of community initiatives in order to give back to the local area. River View Lodge also works to raise awareness about the heritage of the local Basubia people by teaching guests about their customs and culture.
‘We are very proud to play an active role in the enhancement of our local community of Kazungula. We are long-standing supporters of many community initiatives and institutions, including Kazungula Primary School, Kazungula Children’s Ark as well as the Red Cross.’
River View Lodge has been certified as a Green Tourism accommodation by the Botswana Ecotourism Certification System. This means that River View Lodge has met the guiding principles set out by the Botswana National Ecotourism Strategy
These are: minimising negative impacts on the environment and community, providing economic benefits to host communities, contributing to conservation work, educating visitors and local people about the importance of conserving resources, and delivering a high-quality experience to guests.