River Safaris

There are quite a number of parks in Africa that are famous for the incredible rivers which flow through them. The camps and lodges situated in these parks are able to offer opportunities for game viewing by boat as well as traditional game drives. The experience is entirely different, often quieter and more relaxing. It can be very thrilling to float right up to herds of elephant drinking from the river or getting within arm’s distance of crocodile’s sunning themselves on the river bank. Imagine being able to float alongside large pods of grunting hippos or capturing that shot of a fish eagle in flight. There is nothing better than enjoying a gin and tonic whilst watching the African sunset reflecting its beautiful colours on the water.

The most famous areas for water based activities include the Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta in Botswana as well as the incredible Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. Not forgetting of course the very well known Zambezi River flowing through Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Motor boat safaris are the norm, however, there are also opportunities to experience the thrill of a canoe safari. These can either take the form of a short morning or afternoon activity or one can partake in an organised canoe safari or ‘trail’ whereby one moves along the river, camping on its banks at night.

It is also possible to extend the safari experience by boat by including some fishing. Arguably some of the best river fishing in Africa is in the Zambezi, bordered by the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe.