Yes, you can self-drive Chobe National Park from Ngoma Gate, the western entrance to the Chobe riverfront near the Ngoma border. You need a 4x4, you pay park fees at the gate (bring pula cash), and you must be out before the gate closes: the hours stated by Botswana's Minister of Environment and Tourism are 06:00 to 18:30 from 1 April to 30 September and 05:30 to 19:00 from 1 October to 31 March. A popular day is in at Ngoma, along the river past Ihaha, and out at Sedudu near Kasane, or back the same way. The tar transit road between Ngoma and Kasane is free, but it is not a game drive.
Key facts
- Ngoma Gate: western entrance to the Chobe riverfront, about 7 km from Lorato.
- Hours (Minister, February 2025): 06:00 to 18:30 April to September; 05:30 to 19:00 October to March. The transit road itself is open 24 hours.
- Fees (checked 23 October 2026): BWP 270 per non-resident adult per day, plus a reported BWP 115 for a foreign-registered vehicle. A 2026 increase was postponed.
- Vehicle: 4x4 only inside the park. No off-road driving, no driving after dark.
- Busiest season: May to October, when elephants gather at the river.
Ngoma Gate or the transit road?
Two different things near Ngoma are easy to confuse:
- The transit road (A33). The tar road from the Ngoma Bridge border post to Kasane runs through the park for about 50 km between the Ngoma and Sedudu transit gates, and the route has been open 24 hours since 1 April 2025 (Botswana Daily News). Driving it is free for travellers who stay on it, and any car can use it, but you may not leave the tar or stop to explore. You will often see elephants and other animals from the road. See our Katima Mulilo to Kasane guide.
- Ngoma Gate into the riverfront. The park entrance at Ngoma takes you onto the game-viewing tracks along the Chobe River. Here you pay park fees and need a 4x4. Leaving the transit road for park tracks without paying is illegal.
Gate hours
These are the park hours stated by the Minister of Environment and Tourism in a statement to Parliament, reported by the Botswana Daily News on 25 February 2025. We checked on 23 October 2026 and found no newer notice, but confirm at the gate. The Sedudu to Ngoma transit road is separate and open 24 hours.
| Months | Gates open | Gates close |
|---|---|---|
| April to September | 06:00 | 18:30 |
| October to March | 05:30 | 19:00 |
You must be out of the park, or at your booked campsite, by closing time. Driving in the park after dark is not allowed.
Park fees in 2026
Fees are under review. In February 2026 Botswana's government announced higher park fees from 1 April 2026. The increase was then postponed, and in May 2026 it was reported as delayed by two years. No new date has been announced. Check before you travel.
Travellers and operators report that gates still charge the rates set in April 2022:
| Per day | Rate |
|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | BWP 270 |
| SADC resident adult | BWP 205 |
| Botswana citizen adult | BWP 30 |
| Children 8 to 17 | Half the adult rate |
| Children under 8 | Free |
| Foreign-registered vehicle under 3.5 t | BWP 115 |
| Botswana-registered vehicle under 3.5 t | BWP 30 |
One 2026 source gives BWP 220 for SADC residents. You pay at the gate. Bring pula in cash, as card machines are reported to be unreliable. We found no need to book ahead for a day visit. Overnight campsites inside the park, such as Ihaha, must be booked in advance.
Permits and how to pay
- Day visit: you pay park entry and the vehicle fee at the gate. We found no requirement to book a day visit in advance.
- Overnight inside the park: campsites such as Ihaha are run by private operators and must be booked ahead. Park entry is paid separately to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). See our Botswana camping guide for who runs which campsite.
- Cash: bring pula. Card machines are reported to be unreliable and there are no ATMs near Ngoma.
- Receipts: keep your gate receipt with the vehicle papers.
- Questions: DWNP is reachable at [email protected], the address listed by SafariFind.
Rules and what vehicle you need
- 4x4 only on the park tracks. The tar transit road is fine in an ordinary car.
- Stay on the tracks. Off-road driving is not allowed.
- No driving after dark, and exit before the gate closes.
- Stay in your vehicle except at designated places, and give elephants plenty of room.
The route: Ngoma to Ihaha and Sedudu
The riverfront tracks run east from Ngoma along the Chobe River, past the Ihaha campsite, which is roughly halfway, towards Serondela and Sedudu Gate near Kasane. Common plans:
- Ngoma in, Sedudu out: drive the whole riverfront and finish in Kasane.
- Ngoma in and out: explore the western riverfront and return to Ngoma, then to camp.
- Sedudu in, Ngoma out, or back on the tar transit road.
We could not find a reliable driving time. On sand and mud, with stops for sightings, allow a full day for the whole riverfront. That is our estimate, not a published figure.
Road conditions by season
- Dry season (May to October): tracks near Ngoma are generally firm. There is deeper sand around Serondela.
- Rainy season (roughly December to March): the tracks near Ngoma get muddy, and tracks close to the river can flood. In May 2021, after a big flood, the river track near Ngoma Gate was impassable and drivers detoured on the tar.
Ask at the gate about the state of the tracks. Read more in our Chobe green season guide.
Self-drive game drive or a boat cruise?
They are different days out. A self-drive on the riverfront tracks lets you go at your own pace but needs a 4x4, park fees and a gate-to-gate day. A boat cruise on the Chobe River puts you on the water for sightings from the river side and needs no 4x4. Cruises are booked in Kasane, and we can arrange guides and boat trips on request, so message us on WhatsApp for a quote. Many guests do one of each.
What you may see
The western riverfront is quieter than the Kasane end, which fills with vehicles from Kasane lodges and Victoria Falls day trips. Specialist operator Expert Africa lists elephant and buffalo herds, lion, hippo, red lechwe, Chobe bushbuck and puku along the river. Elephant numbers on the river peak in the dry season, from about May to October.
No 4x4, or rather not drive? We can link you with a local guide.
Ngoma Gate camping: sleep 6.8 km away
If you are looking for camping near Ngoma Gate, Lorato is in Muchenje, 6.8 km from the gate according to Booking.com, on the tar. Camp on the grass, be at the gate when it opens, drive the riverfront, and come back to a quiet campsite with hot showers. Pitches are $20 per person per night, with tents for hire at $55, and you can check in at any time. See camping near Chobe National Park, the guide to campsites inside the park and how to book.
Frequently asked questions
Can you self-drive in Chobe National Park?
Yes, with a 4x4. You pay park fees at the gate, stay on the tracks, and must be out before the gate closes. The riverfront can be entered at Ngoma Gate in the west or Sedudu Gate near Kasane.
What are the Chobe National Park opening hours?
The Minister of Environment and Tourism stated 06:00 to 18:30 from 1 April to 30 September and 05:30 to 19:00 from 1 October to 31 March (Botswana Daily News, February 2025). The tar transit road between Sedudu and Ngoma has been open 24 hours since 1 April 2025. Confirm gate hours at the gate.
How much is the Chobe National Park entry fee?
Gates are reported to still charge the 2022 rates: BWP 270 per non-resident adult per day and BWP 115 for a foreign-registered vehicle. A planned increase in April 2026 was postponed. Bring pula cash.
Do you pay park fees on the road from Ngoma to Kasane?
No. The tar transit road through the park is free, as long as you stay on it. You pay only if you enter the riverfront tracks at Ngoma or Sedudu Gate.
Do I need a 4x4 in Chobe?
Yes, for the game-viewing tracks. The tar transit road between Ngoma and Kasane is fine in an ordinary car.
How far is Lorato from Ngoma Gate?
About 7 km. Lorato is in Muchenje, 15 minutes from the Ngoma border.
More guides for your route
Sources
Checked 23 October 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.
- Botswana Daily News: Chobe National Park gate hours, Minister's statement (25 February 2025)
- Botswana Daily News: Sedudu-Ngoma transit route to operate 24 hours from 1 April 2025
- chobenationalpark.co.za: Chobe gates and rules
- chobenationalpark.co.za: Chobe self-drive guide
- Ostrich Trails: Chobe National Park
- Expert Africa: Chobe National Park
- Botswana Daily News: proposed park fee increase (February 2026)
- Gabz FM: tourism fee hike delayed (May 2026)
- Tourism Update: Botswana increases park and licence fees (2022)
- Wikipedia: A33 road (Botswana)