Boating safari experiences

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.

Travel the tranquil waterways and lagoons of the sprawling 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 red lechwe 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 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.

Set sail across the waters off Vilanculos on a boat trip to spot the biggest creatures of the coast. A protected marine reserve, the archipelago is home to some incredible sealife and you may just see it all on a morning's cruise. Zip over the waves, watching dolphin as they dance in the water beside manta rays. Each season also brings a different array of wildlife. Between November and February, you could see turtles (Loggerhead and Leatherback); humpbacks make their way down the coast between August and October; and whale sharks visit between April and July. After a truly memorable cruise, return to land for drinks.

Leave your lodge in the soft morning light or as the heat of the day subsides to sail down the shimmering Linyanti waterways. Gently pass the wading pods of hippo and the sharp-eyed crocodile as your guide leads you on a scenic boat cruise. Spy massive herds of elephant and buffalo, and big cats who leave their shady turf for a drink, African painted dog panting after a chase and birdlife galore. This is the perfect time to whip your camera out! Clink your glasses before returning to the jetty - and spotting all the wildlife you can on the way.

This marine expedition starts with a boat trip to Dyer Island and the infamous ‘Shark Alley’, where you’ll dive with the ultimate underwater predator, the great white shark. Whilst the morning is an adventure of the adrenaline-filled variety, the afternoon brings a more sedate activity: wine-tasting. Choose to explore the pretty town of Stanford, the grape-strewn Hemel-en-Aarde Valley or Bot River and enjoy a leisurely lunch amid the vines and a wine-tasting or pairing at one of the many world-class estates in this part of the world.

Every morning and afternoon we cruise the Matlabas River's tranquil bends on the Miss Mara Water Safaris, where elephants come to drink. Pass yawning hippos, watch birds dive for fish and pause for refreshments as your field guide unravels river life mysteries. Glide into the sunset on a safari unlike any other. Departure Time: Incorporated into morning or evening safari