Boating safari experiences

The Great Rift Valley is the gift that keeps on giving, with endangered wildlife and outstanding scenery, and sitting at a lofty 6000 feet, Lake Naivasha is a jewel in its crown. Explore the water on a boating safari, gliding past hippos as they snort and snooze in the lake and watching herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest gather on the shores for a drink. With your camera in easy reach, snap the myriad birdlife as they flutter and wade across the water.

Travel the tranquil waterways and lagoons of Moremi in style with a boat safari. Leave the jetty as your guide weaves past tall pockets of papyrus where jewel-bright kingfishers wait to speed after a fish, tiny palm islands and banks where the wildest of creatures stop to quench their thirst - think lions, elephant, red lechwe and leopard lurking in the trees. Hear the legends of the Delta and learn all about its four-legged residents from your knowledgeable skipper. Faster and more comfortable than a mokoro, exploring the Delta by boat is always a winning choice, especially in the dry season (July to October). Enjoy the delightful views in the early morning or in the golden hours before sunset when you'll finish with feet-in-the-water sundowners.

Through the ride, as we sail down the Ganges, the guests will view the iconic sites of Tulsi Ghat and the Panch Parmeshwar Temple, amongst others.

There are so many ways to see Vic Falls by day, but by dusk, there's only one contender - a sundowner cruise. Step aboard for a cruise along the glimmering Zambezi River. With an ice-cold sundowner in hand (and tasty kebabs to snack on), wind your way past basking hippo, deftly moving Nile crocodile and elephant who trumpet at the water's edge as African fish eagles soar overhead. Return to shore when night has fallen and don't forget to look out for the famous 'moonbows' that appear in the right conditions. Your best time to go is the dry season months of April to September when the river and wildlife are in overdrive.

The waters of Lake Malawi are free of tides or currents and excellent for sailing. Winds are rarely very high but there's always a breeze for sail boats. If you're not confident of your own sailing skills, board a skippered catamaran or yacht to experience the freedom of sailing with the wind in your hair.

Dzanga-Sangha may not be a destination often bandied about in travel magazines but it happens to be an oasis for a variety of endangered species and spectacular flora. Criss-crossed by ribbons of flowing rivers, a boat trip is one of the best ways to discover the landscape. Joined by a seasoned local guide, you'll take to the water, passing through dense forest, sunlit clearings and keeping watch for the plentiful wildlife. The Congo Basin plays host to over 400 species of birdlife, from the elusive Great Blue Turaco to large palm-nut vultures. Some of the most predator-free waterways in Africa, you're bound to spot members of the 'Forest Five' ambling through the trees and drinking along the banks. These include western lowland gorilla, forest elephant and forest buffalo, bongo and the giant forest hog. Not to mention, clouds of butterfly! The scenery is sublime and the photography is amazing, and you'll enjoy the best of both on a boat cruise. Time it just right and you'll witness the sun setting beautifully over the trees. The most pleasant time to visit the forest is in the least rainy months, from May to September.

On the lower sections of the Zambezi River, where the water flows slow and wide, creating pretty bays, inlets and eddies, one of Africa’s greatest fighting fish lies in wait. The tigerfish is one of Africa's most powerful freshwater species and it can weigh up to a whopping 15 kilograms. The Zambezi has become known as the best place to take on this ferocious fish in Southern Africa, attracting travellers from all over the world for a spot of catch-and-release fishing. Join them from August to November for the chance to net one of these beauties yourself (maybe with a helping hand from an expert…).

Travel the tranquil waterways and lagoons of the Central Okavango Delta in style with a boat safari. Leave the jetty as your guide weaves past tall pockets of papyrus where jewel-bright kingfishers wait to speed after a fish and banks where the wildest of creatures stop to quench their thirst - think lions, elephant and antelope alike. Hear the legends of the Delta and learn all about its four-legged residents from your knowledgeable skipper. Faster and more comfortable than a mokoro, exploring the Central Okavango by boat is always a winning choice, especially in the dry season (July to October). Enjoy the delightful views in the early morning or in the golden hours before sunset when you'll finish with feet-in-the-water sundowners.

Considering its size and sheer power, the Kafue River is remarkably serene, and a morning or afternoon boat cruise along its glassy surface is a real treat. Navigate your way through scaly crocodiles and yawning hippo, catch elephant coming down the grassy banks to drink or splash their way across, and watch kingfishers darting in and out of the shallows. For a touch more romance, set sail at sunset and watch as the waterscape begins to look like a vibrant oil painting - with a cold G&T in hand, of course...

Travel the tranquil river and waterways of the Khwai Private Reserve in style with a boat safari. Leave the jetty as your guide weaves past tall pockets of papyrus where jewel-bright kingfishers wait to speed after a fish and banks where the wildest of creatures stop to quench their thirst - think lions, elephant and rare antelope alike. Hear the legends of the Delta and learn all about its four-legged residents from your knowledgeable skipper. Faster and more comfortable than a mokoro, exploring Khwai by boat is always a winning choice, especially in the dry season (July to October). Enjoy the delightful views in the early morning or in the golden hours before sunset when you'll finish with feet-in-the-water sundowners.

The Rufiji river is the life force of the Selous and it winds its way through valleys and across the floodplains, giving life to the otherwise dry but beautiful Selous wilderness. A boat cruise along the river allows you a ground level perspective of wallowing hippos, cruising crocodiles and a myriad of birds and wildlife as they wander down to the river bank to drink. On your afternoon cruise, make sure to pack a coolbox and then park off on a sand bank to watch the sun set. Perfect!

It may not be the Okavango Delta, but Linyanti has some shining waterways to enjoy a mokoro ride. There is only a smattering of water-based lodges that offer a scenic ride on these traditional dugout canoes, so you won't be joined by crowds. Depart in the early morning or as dusk approaches to traverse the liquid passageways with your guide at the helm. No one knows the water better! Take this time away from the rumble of a 4x4 to spot the smaller creatures of Linyanti, from tiny, emerald frogs clinging to the reeds and vivid birdlife flitting between the papyrus. You'll also navigate round palm islands and see members of the Big Five drinking on the banks. The dry season months of July to October are when the waterways and lagoons are at their fullest.

Hop aboard a smooth-sailing catamaran to explore the stunning Knysna lagoon where you'll delve into the history of this protected haven all while eyeing out incredible birdlife. Enjoy idyllic views of Knysna town, Leisure Isle and splashing seals before cruising into deeper waters. The Knysna Heads, two dramatic sea cliffs between the lagoon and the Indian Ocean, are your gateway to a coastline of quiet bays, rugged caves and plenty of marine life.