Water safari
Historically the Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) side of the river has been the very best destination to consider for a canoeing adventure and it is still possible to canoe the river with experienced guides.
The best canoeing safaris are found on the Zambezi River. For an idea of what to expect from a houseboat safari, please see our short film on Houseboat safaris on the Chobe River.Ĭanoeing and kayaking and possible on a number of Africa’s great lakes and rivers, sometimes as an activity from a permanent camp or lodge, and sometimes as a multi-day adventure trail.
A few other areas can offer them too, such as in the pan handle region of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The best known regions for houseboat safaris are the Matusadona National Park on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe and the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip (these boats are usually accessed from Botswana’s Chobe National Park). Activities will usually focus on a combination of fishing and game viewing (and birding) from smaller tender boats, though occasionally walks are also possible. Most boats will have a pretty social feel with communal meals and plenty of time to relax on board, and of course this is perfect for private groups of friends or extended family parties. If you are looking for a relaxing safari experience then nothing beats a houseboat! Boats will generally cater for between 8 and 24 guests with en suite cabins, indoor living areas and a large outdoor viewing deck (sometimes including a small jacuzzi or plunge pool). These are just a few of the best options, boat cruises exist in other areas too. For all round wonderful game viewing from boats, including elephants, many other fantastic options exist including on the Zambezi River which flows between Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools and Zambia’s Lower Zambezi national parks, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Rufiji River in the Nyerere National Park in Tanzania, The Nile River in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda and the Shire River in Liwonde National Park in Malawi. On some of the larger rivers, elephant viewing can be spectacular from boats, notably on the Chobe River in Botswana’s Chobe National Park. In some areas you may be lucky enough to spot predators from boats, and it is not uncommon to see species like giraffe, zebra, baboon, vervet monkey and various antelopes, including rare species such as Sitatunga in limited areas. Species that are easiest to observe from boats include hippo, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo, otters (rare) and a plethora of birdlife – especially iconic species such as Shoebill and Pel’s fishing owl as well as more commonly seen species such as fish eagle, egret, heron, stork, African skimmer, kingfisher and various waders. Fishing can often be an added experience for those who are interested. Boat safaris are essentially game drives on the water and usually offer a blend of game viewing, birding, scenic exploration and relaxation.