Kasane
Kasane at a Glance
Costs: Mid-to-high: $80-220 / day - daily budgets vary $80-220; safari lodges and river cruises drive higher costs.
Safety: Mostly safe with common-sense precautions - generally safe in tourist areas; watch petty theft and follow lodge safety advice around water.
Best Time: May-October (best for game viewing) - may-October dry season concentrates wildlife; November-March is high-water boat-safari season.
Why Visit Kasane?
Sitting on the banks of the Chobe River, Kasane draws wildlife fans with boat safaris and daytime views of enormous elephant herds in Chobe National Park. The town also serves as a gateway for trips to the Chobe Game Reserve and for cross-border visits to nearby Victoria Falls and the Kazungula ferry. Bustling riverside markets and lodges provide a comfortable base for photography, river cruises and early-morning game drives. Rich birdlife along the riverfront and evening riverbank walks add another layer to the wildlife experience.
Best Things to Do in Kasane
Kasane Bucket List
Don't Miss
Chobe National Park boat cruise - Board a Chobe river cruise to observe elephants, hippos and prolific birdlife along riverbanks.
Kasane craft stalls - Browse Kasane craft stalls for woven goods, beadwork and safari accessories near the river.
Chobe game drives - Take early morning or late afternoon game drives into Chobe’s varied habitats for sightings.
Hidden Gems
Kazungula crossing - Cross at Kazungula to see where four countries meet and observe river traffic.
Impalila Island (Namibia) - Take a short boat ride to Impalila Island’s quiet villages and birding along floodplains.
Local fishing excursions - Join local anglers for early-morning fishing trips on the Chobe River near Kasane.
Day Trips
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia) - Day-trip to Victoria Falls for the waterfall, viewpoints and optional helicopter flights.
Savute region - Travel west to Savute for predator encounters and ancient channel geology on drives.
Best Time to Visit Kasane
Kasane is often best during the dry winter months (May-September) for easy river safaris and predictable wildlife viewing. The November-March rains raise river levels and attract birds, but can make roads and camps muddy.
Dry Season
Clear skies, lower humidity and superb game-viewing along the Chobe and Zambezi - river levels manageable and boat safaris run smoothly.
Rainy Season
Rivers rise, mosquito numbers surge, and dramatic storms hammer afternoons; excellent birding and lush scenery but expect wet roads and occasional flooding.
Hot Season
Scorching pre-rain heat, drying pans and dusty roads; wildlife concentrates at permanent water and early mornings are the only comfortable safari window.
Kasane's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in October) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 11°C to 36°C. Moderate rainfall (601 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 20° - 31° | 25° | 152 mm | overcast | 69% | 2.1 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.9h |
| February | Very Good | 20° - 31° | 25° | 130 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.6h |
| March | Excellent | 19° - 32° | 26° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Ideal | 17° - 32° | 24° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 2.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| May | Ideal | 14° - 31° | 22° | 3 mm | clear | 43% | 2.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| June | Ideal | 11° - 29° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 41% | 2.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| July | Ideal | 11° - 29° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 2.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.1h |
| August | Ideal | 13° - 32° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 30% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| September | Ideal | 17° - 36° | 26° | 2 mm | clear | 25% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Ideal | 20° - 37° | 28° | 26 mm | mostly sunny | 28% | 3.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Very Good | 21° - 35° | 28° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 46% | 2.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| December | Good | 20° - 32° | 26° | 133 mm | overcast | 64% | 2.6 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.0h |
How to Get to Kasane
Kasane in the far north has a functioning regional airport (Kasane Airport, BBK) with flights from South Africa and regional hubs; many visitors also arrive overland from Victoria Falls/Livingstone. Short taxi or lodge transfers cover the town and park gates.
Kasane Airport (BBK): Kasane has a commercial airport with scheduled flights from Johannesburg (Airlink) and other regional hubs. From Kasane Airport to the town centre it’s a short transfer (10-20 minutes); taxis or lodge transfers are common-expect low double‑digit BWP fares or included transfers from lodges.
Victoria Falls (VFA) / Livingstone (LVI): If arriving via Victoria Falls or Livingstone (Zambia/Zimbabwe), overland transfers to Kasane are possible (border formalities apply) and take around 1-2 hours depending on crossing times.
Train: There is no practical passenger rail service into Kasane; rail does not serve this far north of Botswana.
Bus / Shuttle: Shuttle buses and coach services operate between Kasane and other Botswana towns as well as cross‑border services to Victoria Falls/Livingstone. Local shuttle transfers to lodges and Chobe Park entrances are common-short trips of 10-30 minutes are the norm within the Kasane area.
How to Get Around Kasane
Kasane is easiest by air (BBK) for northern Botswana; many visitors rely on lodge transfers and shuttles to reach Chobe park gates. Local taxis and car hire work for independent travel.
- Airport transfer / taxi (~10-50 BWP) - Taxis and lodge transfers from Kasane Airport to town or lodges are quick (10-20 minutes). Many lodges include transfers in the rate-confirm in advance; standalone taxis are inexpensive for short transfers.
- Shuttle to Chobe National Park (Included with activity or operator dependent) - Most visitors use organized shuttles or lodge transfers to reach Chobe National Park gates and river cruises. These are reliable and timed for safari departures; expect short transfers and the cost often bundled with activities.
- Car hire / 4x4 ((Daily rental rates vary)) - Car hire is available in Kasane for independent travel-useful if you plan to explore the region or cross borders. Ensure insurance covers cross‑border travel and that you understand park entry rules and road conditions.
- Local taxis (Low per trip) - Local taxis cover short trips within Kasane and to nearby border posts or parks; agree a fare before travel. Taxis are convenient for last‑minute needs or trips not covered by lodge transfers.
- Coach / intercity bus ((Varies by operator)) - Cross‑border and intercity coach services connect Kasane with larger centres like Francistown and with Victoria Falls; journeys are longer and depend on border processing times-book ahead for scheduled routes.
- Walking - Kasane town centre is compact and walkable for shops, restaurants and the riverfront; however, heat and wildlife cautions near park edges mean short walks are best timed for cooler parts of the day.
Where to Stay in Kasane
Budget
Town centre / riverfront - $25-60/night
Kasane has backpacker hostels and budget lodges near the river and town. Popular with overlanders; busy in high season so book ahead.
Chobe Marina Lodge - Affordable rooms close to river
Chobe River Lodge - Budget-friendly riverfront rooms
Mid-Range
Riverfront - $80-180/night
A solid mid-range scene with reputable lodges offering river views, guided excursions, and secure facilities. Good value for wildlife-focused stays.
Chobe Safari Lodge - Comfortable rooms, safari bookings available
Chobe Game Lodge - Riverfront mid-range accommodation
Luxury
Chobe riverfront - $200+/night
Kasane supports several luxury riverfront lodges and private safari camps. Expect full-service experiences, bespoke tours, and higher nightly rates.
High-end lodges & private camps - Luxury safari camps nearby (book early)
Private riverfront lodges - Exclusive rooms, premium safari services
Where to Eat in Kasane
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Kasane’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Kasane
Nightlife in Kasane is primarily at lodge and hotel bars; evenings are relaxed and often centred on safari‑crowds, dinners and occasional live music at larger establishments. There’s no bustling club scene-plan for early nights or organised lodge events after sunset.
Shopping in Kasane
Kasane’s shopping caters to tourists-small curio shops sell local crafts, safari clothing and sundries. There’s a small market area and several lodge boutiques offering higher‑end or locally sourced items. Prices can be higher than inland towns; bargain politely for souvenirs and check shipping options for larger purchases.