Kasane
Kasane is a small river town in northeastern Botswana and the base for boat cruises and game drives into Chobe National Park.
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Kasane is a small town in northeastern Botswana, on the Chobe River, near the borders with Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Chobe National Park begins a short drive away and is known for large elephant herds that gather along the river. The town is small and practical, with lodges, tour operators and the routes into the park. Visitors often use it as a base for a few nights before moving on.
A safari-focused trip of about three to five days suits Kasane, with time for a river cruise, a game drive and, if you want it, a day trip to Victoria Falls. The dry season, roughly May to October, is the best time, when animals gather at the water and the bush is thinner. The wet season, roughly December to April, brings green scenery and birdlife, but some park roads become hard to drive.
Kasane in five
- Book a Chobe boat cruise before you arriveBoats leave from the Chobe riverfront in Kasane and give a view of elephants and hippos from the water. Book ahead for the dry months, when more animals come to the river.Tours and tickets
- Carry pula for small paymentsCards work at the larger lodges, but curio stands, small cafés and most tips need cash. Withdraw pula in town, where the banks are.Money and costs
- Get a local SIM from Mascom or OrangeCoverage can drop along the river and inside the park. Download offline maps before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
- Walk in town only with an escort after darkElephants and hippos move through Kasane's streets and lodge grounds, and they are dangerous at close range. Ask your lodge for an escort or a ride after dark.
- Get a KAZA UniVisa for Victoria FallsVictoria Falls is about 80 km from Kasane by road, and a day trip crosses the Kazungula border. The KAZA UniVisa covers Zambia and Zimbabwe; check which visa your passport needs before you go.
Things to do in Kasane
See all attractions in KasaneNeed to know
- Currency
- Pula (BWP)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check with your embassy
- Emergency
- 999 police, 997 ambulance, 998 fire
- Tipping
- Customary at restaurants and for guides; check for a service charge
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy, green
- FebruaryRainy, green
- MarchRainy, flooding
- AprilRains ending
- MayGreen, quieter
- JuneDry, cooler
- JulyDry, cool
- AugustDry, cold nights
- SeptemberDry, peak wildlife
- OctoberDry, river wildlife
- NovemberHot, dry
- DecemberHot, rains start
Right now in Kasane
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 26%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Kasane
01:22 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today38°22°2%Tuesday: Clear. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed38°23°4%Wednesday: Clear. High 38°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu38°25°8%Thursday: Clear. High 38°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri38°24°8%Friday: Clear. High 38°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat37°23°30%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 37°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Sun37°22°71%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 37°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 71%.
Updated 11:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 13.84 BWP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Chobe National Parkabout 15 min by car to the park gateGame drives and river cruises inside the park, which starts at the gate a short drive from town.
- Victoria Fallsabout 1.5 to 2 hours by road, plus border timeThe falls on the Zambezi, reached by road and a border crossing as a long day trip.
- Kazungula borderabout 20 min by carThe point where Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet on the Zambezi, a short drive from town.
Before you go to Kasane
Rules for Kasane, checked
- Keep your distance from elephants, hippos and other wildlife on land and on the river. Never feed or approach them.
- Botswana restricts animal and plant products at the border to control disease. Declare any food you carry on the customs form.
- Chobe National Park charges an entry fee at the gate. Check the current rate with the park operator before you travel.
Plan around Kasane
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Botswana trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need a visa and how to check before you fly
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day in Kasane
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, road transfers and getting to the park gates
Read the guideWhere to stayRiverfront lodges and town guesthouses in Kasane
Read the guideTours and ticketsBoat cruises and game drives booked before you arrive
Read the guideKasane FAQ
Is Kasane worth visiting?
Yes, if the goal is wildlife on the Chobe River without a long drive. Kasane sits at the park gate, so it works best as a base for a few nights rather than a destination on its own.
How do you get to Kasane?
Fly into Kasane Airport or reach the town by road from Francistown or Victoria Falls. Confirm flight times with the airline before you book.
How many days do you need in Kasane?
Two nights cover a boat cruise and a park drive. Add a night if you want a Victoria Falls day trip, which needs a full day with border crossings.
When is the best time to visit Kasane?
July to October is the peak window, when animals gather at the river and the bush thins out. December to April is the wet season, with greener scenery and some roads hard to drive.
Can you visit Victoria Falls from Kasane?
Yes, as a long day trip by road. It is about 80 km from Kasane and crosses the Kazungula border, so check the visa rules for Zambia or Zimbabwe before you go.