By Grant Wood
Africa’s waterways invite discovery. Paddle the Zambezi, snorkel in Lake Malawi, raft under Victoria Falls, cruise the Chobe at sunset, and kayak the Bazaruto Archipelago. These adventures showcase wildlife, landscapes, and the magic of travel on African water safaris.
Image courtesy Crafted Africa
Africa has many heartbeats. Hooves drum across the savannah. Wind rustles through tall grass. Rivers whisper along their banks. Glassy streams reflect the sky, lakes cradle life, and roads give way to ripples, revealing a quieter, wilder side of the continent.
Water shapes the land as much as stone and sun. It sustains, divides, and connects. From the roar of waterfalls to the stillness of lagoons, every river and lake tells its own story.
Experience the wild from the water on African water safaris. Canoe the Lower Zambezi in Zambia. Snorkel in the clear depths of Lake Malawi. Tackle the Zambezi’s rapids. Cruise the Chobe River at sunset. Drift through Namibia’s wetlands. Or kayak the turquoise lagoons of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago.
Each journey offers a unique way to explore southern Africa’s waterways, alive with wildlife, colour, and adventure.
For those seeking luxury after a day on the water, Zambezi Grande provides an intimate, all-inclusive base with air-conditioned rooms, guided game drives, river safaris, and wellness treatments. The river experience continues even on land.
Perfect for African water safaris, this stretch of the Zambezi blends gentle exploration with unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Known as the “Lake of Stars,” Lake Malawi stretches across three countries and forms part of the Great Rift Valley. Its clear waters host more fish species than any other lake on Earth, making it a must-visit for snorkellers and divers.
Below the surface, bright cichlids dart among rocks and reeds, while fishing boats drift above. The lake’s rhythm mirrors the calm pace of life along its shores. Tour operators such as Crafted Africa design itineraries that combine lakeside retreats with mountain excursions. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and scenic boat trips reveal hidden beaches and sheltered coves.
Below the thunder of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River transforms into one of the world’s best white-water rafting destinations. This stretch, through the Batoka Gorge, delivers a thrilling mix of power and beauty.
Here, legendary rapids like “Stairway to Heaven”, “The Three Ugly Sisters”, and “Ghostrider” test even the most experienced rafters, each with its own reputation for heart-pounding drops and surging waves.
Between the rapids, still pools open beneath towering basalt cliffs where birds circle in the heat; the air hums with energy and the scent of wet stone.
Whether you stay in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, or Livingstone, Zambia, expert outfitters offer day trips and multi-day expeditions through the gorge. An unforgettable test of courage and exhilaration awaits.
For those preferring a more sedate Zambezi experience, cruises along the upper river are a highlight for any visit to the Victoria Falls area. Whereas sunset cruises are more well-known, it’s sunrise that can be even more special. Morning mist settles among the reeds, and the air smells faintly of wild basil and river silt. Bushtracks Africa offers the perfect bush and water safari, where adventure flows with the natural rhythm of the land.
The Chobe River in northern Botswana borders Namibia and forms part of Chobe National Park, a region famous for its dense elephant population and remarkable biodiversity. It is one of the most iconic destinations for African water safaris.
A river cruise here offers an unmatched view of wildlife. Watch herds of elephants wading through the shallows, grazing along the banks, and moving gracefully between islands. Companies such as Okavango Expeditions provide guided trips through Botswana to experience this incredible scenery up close. By evening, the river reflects a sky streaked with gold and crimson.
In Namibia’s far northeast, the Kwando River transforms arid plains into lush wetlands filled with papyrus and birdlife. This corner of the Zambezi Region feels far removed from the rest of the country, slower, greener, and rich with life.
From Namushasha River Lodge, part of the Gondwana Collection, guests can drift through narrow channels lined with reeds, spotting crocodiles and kingfishers. The quiet hum of the boat, the play of light on the water, and the sight of wildlife at close range make this a truly intimate experience.
Namushasha also celebrates the area’s people through its heritage centre, showing how conservation and community thrive together along the river.
Off Mozambique’s coast, the Bazaruto Archipelago is a protected chain of islands known for their coral reefs, sea turtles, and shifting sand dunes. This marine park preserves one of the Indian Ocean’s richest ecosystems and provides an ideal setting for African water safaris.
Kayaking through the lagoons offers a mix of adventure and stillness. Paddle over coral gardens alive with tropical fish, glide past leaping dolphins, and explore sandbanks glowing in the morning light.
It’s recommended you stay at nearby eco-lodges for snorkelling, diving, and dhow sailing. These islands capture the essence of travel by water, free, open, and full of quiet wonder.
Across these waterways, Africa shows its softer side. It appears not only in roaring rapids or vast plains, but also in mirrored rivers, open lakes, and tidal currents. Travelling by water slows the pace and sharpens awareness. You see elephants reflected in dawn light. You feel the pull of the current.
From Zambia’s mighty Zambezi to Mozambique’s island lagoons, these journeys rank among the most memorable of African water safaris. They remind us that the wild is defined not only by noise and scale, but also by stillness and flow.
