Chobe Princess: Experience a Luxurious River Safari

After a couple of weeks on the road exploring Southern Africa, I found myself in need of something a little slower, a little softer — but still packed with wildlife, adventure, and that undeniable African magic. The Chobe Princess delivered all of that and more.

I had the pleasure of spending three nights aboard Chobe Princess 2, cruising the wildlife-rich Chobe River, right where Botswana and Namibia meet. I stayed in Suite 5, perched right at the top of the boat — and it was a dream. Spacious, airy, and with wraparound views of the river, it became my tranquil haven with front-row seats to elephant crossings, hippo pods, and golden sunsets.

A Fresh Take on Morning Safaris

One of my favourite parts of the experience? The morning safaris by boat. There’s something incredibly peaceful about cruising along the river just after sunrise — the light is soft, the air is cool, and the bush is just beginning to stir. Most mornings, we had the river to ourselves — the other guests were often enjoying a lie-in, and we had our brilliant guide all to ourselves.

The birdlife along the Chobe River was nothing short of spectacular – far beyond what I had expected. Every bend in the river revealed flashes of colour and movement: we saw several types of bee-eaters darting through the air with their vibrant plumage, elegant herons wading along the shallows, and the striking red bishop perched proudly in the reeds like a tiny flame, and of course my all time favourite – the rollers! And thanks to our incredible guide, I finally managed to tick off a few of the kingfisher species I’d been hoping to see – including the dazzling malachite in all his jewel-toned glory, as well as the pied and woodland kingfishers. Whether perched serenely or in mid-flight, the birdlife here brought the riverbanks to life in a way that was both peaceful and electrifying – a true paradise for bird lovers.

Expect the Unexpected: Wildlife Galore

I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting the safaris from the Chobe Princess to be quite as action-packed as they were — but I was so happily wrong. From the very first cruise, the river delivered moment after moment of pure magic. We rounded a corner and came face to face with a group of seven hippos, including a tiny baby, all out of the water and munching contentedly on the lush green banks before lumbering back into the river with an enormous splash. Not long after, we witnessed one of the most memorable scenes of the trip — an entire herd of elephants, young and old, swimming trunk-to-tail across the width of the Chobe River, from Botswana into Namibia. It was wild, powerful, and utterly mesmerising.

And the excitement didn’t stop there. Elephant bulls locked tusks in a dramatic sparring session just metres from our boat, while a pair of fish eagles launched from their perch and successfully plucked a giant fish from the water right before our eyes. The river itself was alive with crocodiles — some basking like statues on the sun-soaked banks, others slicing silently through the water with only their eyes and snouts visible. Let’s just say, we were in no rush to dip our toes in! Every outing brought something new and unexpected — a reminder that Chobe’s wildlife isn’t just thriving, it’s putting on a show.

Golden Hours on the Water: Nature’s Most Beautiful Show

One of the true highlights of being on the Chobe Princess was having a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. Each morning, the sky slowly blushed with soft pinks and golds as the mist lifted off the river and the first calls of fish eagles echoed in the stillness — a calm, magical start to the day. And in the evenings, just when you thought the day couldn’t get any better, the sky would explode into colour: fiery oranges, dusky purples, and rich reds reflecting perfectly on the glassy surface of the water. With nothing but the gentle hum of the boat and the distant trumpeting of elephants, it felt like our own private theatre — nature’s most beautiful performance, viewed from the deck with a sundowner in hand. Simply bliss.

Life Aboard the Chobe Princess

After days of early starts and bumpy game drives elsewhere, the Chobe Princess felt like a true retreat. You still get amazing wildlife sightings, but everything is done at a gentler rhythm. There’s plenty of time to relax on the deck with a book, enjoy a cocktail, or just soak in the scenery. And oh, the scenery! Sunrises and sunsets on the Chobe River are in a league of their own — each one painted in shades of orange, pink, and gold, reflected in the water like a living postcard.

With just 8–10 guests on board, the Chobe Princess feels more like a floating private villa than a hotel. We had a wonderful mix of people on our trip — a few couples, two solo travellers, and me travelling with my mum. Thankfully, the group gelled beautifully, which made shared meals and sundowners feel more like dinner parties with friends than anything else. Despite its intimate size, the boat never felt crowded. There were two spacious outdoor decks, a comfortable lounge area, and — if you’re in one of the superior rooms like Suite 5 — your own private outdoor space too. I’d definitely recommend opting for the superior suite if you can; the extra space and views make a real difference.

Meals were a highlight too. Freshly prepared, delicious, and shared communally, they became moments to connect and laugh with our fellow travellers, exchanging stories from the day. The team on board were warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do — nothing was ever too much trouble. We did have one little hiccup on the first night — and by hiccup, I mean a full-on invasion of bugs during dinner! Not just a few, but thousands. But the crew were absolute stars — we rallied together, cleared up, and put a plan in place: no doors open after 3pm, all rooms sprayed, and no bright lights at night. Problem solved! Just one of those classic African safari moments that makes the story even better.

In Summary: A Perfect End to an African Adventure

My time on the Chobe Princess was the perfect way to end a two-week safari trip — peaceful, luxurious, and still full of incredible wildlife. It gave me a whole new appreciation for water-based safaris, and it’s an experience I’ll be recommending to all my guests.

So if you’re thinking of visiting Botswana — whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned safari-goer — consider finishing your trip with a few nights on the Chobe Princess. It’s a unique and memorable way to see the wild from a different perspective, and I promise: you won’t regret it.