General Activity Information
Area and Setting
Water-based game viewing is most strongly associated with the great river and wetland systems of
Southern Africa – the Chobe River on the Botswana–Namibia border, the labyrinth of channels and
lagoons in the Okavango Delta, and sections of the Zambezi River in Zambia and Zimbabwe. In
South Africa, a handful of private reserves with sizeable rivers or dams offer similar
experiences on a smaller, more intimate scale.
These ecosystems are magnets for wildlife. Permanent water draws elephants, buffalo and antelope
from the surrounding woodlands, while hippos, crocodiles and countless birds make their homes in
the reeds and shallows. Viewing from the water places you at eye level with this activity, often
much closer than is possible from a vehicle on the bank.
What to Expect on an Outing
Most excursions are scheduled in the cooler hours of the day – early morning or late afternoon –
and depart directly from your lodge’s jetty or a nearby launch site. Depending on the setting, you
might step aboard a spacious, multi-level riverboat on the Chobe, a small motorized skiff in the
Delta, or a traditional mokoro (dugout-style canoe) poled quietly through shallow floodplains.
Speeds are generally slow and unhurried. Your guide will position the vessel to give good views
without encroaching on the animals’ comfort zone, switching off the engine whenever possible so
that you can enjoy the sounds of the river – grunting hippos, splashing elephants and the calls
of fish eagles and herons. Drinks and light snacks are often served on board, particularly on
sunset cruises where the changing light adds drama to the scenery and photography.
Seasonality and Conditions
The character of water-based game viewing changes with the seasons. In places like the Chobe
Riverfront, the dry months see large concentrations of elephants and other game along the banks as
inland waterholes dry up. In the Okavango, annual floods transform grasslands into an intricate
mosaic of channels and islands, ideal for mokoro trips once water levels are high enough and
conditions are safe.
Weather is typically warm to hot during the day and comfortable on the water, but wind, spray and
occasional showers can make it cooler than expected, especially around sunset. A light jacket,
hat, sunglasses and sun protection are recommended, along with a dry bag or protective case for
cameras and phones. Because these are wildlife areas, you will remain seated in the boat or canoe
at all times and follow your guide’s instructions closely around hippos and crocodiles.
