Mokoro and Boat Rides

Mokoro and boat rides are offered in several key safari destinations, each providing unique landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities. The best places for these water-based safaris are often located in areas with extensive wetland systems, rivers, and lakes, where the wildlife is abundant, and the terrain is suitable for water travel.

Botswana: The Okavango Delta is the quintessential destination for mokoro rides. The delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas, with a network of channels, lagoons, and floodplains that can be explored by mokoro. These traditional wooden canoes allow travelers to silently glide through the waterways, often coming within a few meters of elephants, buffaloes, and various species of antelope that gather around the water. The Okavango’s birdlife is also exceptional, with guests regularly spotting species like herons, kingfishers, and African fish eagles. Several camps in the Okavango offer mokoro rides as part of their safari experience, allowing guests to combine land-based game drives with peaceful water exploration.

In addition to mokoro rides, motorized boat safaris are available in areas like the Chobe River in Chobe National Park, where guests can view large herds of elephants as they drink and bathe along the riverbanks. Boat rides along the river provide great opportunities to spot crocodiles, hippos, and birds like pelicans and egrets.

Zambia: In Zambia, Lower Zambezi National Park offers boat safaris along the Zambezi River, which provides excellent opportunities for seeing wildlife from the water. This river is known for its high concentration of hippos and crocodiles, and boat safaris here often include sightings of elephants, lions, and a range of bird species along the banks. The river’s calm waters also create ideal conditions for photography, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light reflects off the water and the surrounding wilderness.

Uganda: In Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This boat ride offers fantastic opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. A boat safari along the Kazinga Channel allows visitors to observe wildlife from the water’s edge, providing a serene contrast to the more traditional land-based safari activities.

Kenya: In Kenya, boat safaris are offered in Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including hippos, giraffes, zebras, and a wide variety of birds. Guests can enjoy boat rides that provide close-up views of the animals while also offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Boat rides on Lake Victoria, especially around the Mfangano Island area, offer a unique way to explore the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, where fishermen often ply their trade, and birds such as the African Fish Eagle can be seen in action.

Tanzania: In Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park) is known for its Rufiji River, where boat safaris provide excellent opportunities to see wildlife along the riverbanks. Crocodiles, hippos, elephants, and a wide array of birds are commonly spotted during these boat rides, which often take guests through winding channels and peaceful backwaters. The Selous is less crowded than many other Tanzanian parks, offering a more exclusive and intimate safari experience.

Zimbabwe: In Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls offers boat rides on the Zambezi River, both above and below the falls. Below the falls, boat safaris allow visitors to explore the calmer waters of the river, where they can encounter hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds. Above the falls, the Zambezi River is a great location for a peaceful boat cruise, with fantastic views of the river’s dramatic landscape and the occasional sighting of elephants and other wildlife along the banks.