TORONTO — Every once in a while in travel, a “soul-changing” experience comes along that stays with you forever. For Moira Smith, Goway’s VP Africa and Asia, one of these moments came while sitting in a canoe, meandering down the Zambezi River in Zambia.

“I’ll never forget my first canoeing safari in the Lower Zambezi. It left an indelible mark on my soul and remains one of my favourite places in Africa,” she tells Travelweek.

Although not what initially comes to mind when one thinks of an African safari, water-based safaris are considered one of the best ways to experience authentic Africa and view incredible wildlife in their natural habitats. Picture zebras pausing for a drink on the riverbank, hippos peeking above the surface of the water, and crocodiles lazily swimming downstream, all while seated comfortably – and safely – within the confines of a small boat, pontoon or canoe. In contrast, game drives on land – usually in a 4×4 land cruiser or tour van – can be dusty, bumpy and fast-paced, with the roar of the engine often scaring animals out of sight.

“Viewing wildlife from the water level offers intimate and peaceful encounters. With water safaris, you gain access to areas that vehicles can’t reach, plus they are excellent for photography,” says Smith. “The raw wilderness, sense of adventure and golden afternoon light reflecting off the water create an African safari experience that’s simply magical.”

Meghan Verbeek, Intrepid Travel’s Wildlife Specialist, is also a big fan of water-based safaris, calling them “a whole other level” compared to land ones.

“Unlike land safaris where long drives and vast landscapes can mean more distant sightings, water safaris provide an intimate, up-close view of nature in its purest form,” she says. Calling out two soul-changing experiences in particular – spotting monkeys mid-leap while speeding up Borneo’s Kinabatangan River, and drifting silently through the Okavango Delta, just inches from wildlife – Verbeek insists: “Experience both and thank me later.”

WHERE TO GO AND WHEN

Of course, water-based safaris aren’t limited to just Africa. Wildlife viewing from a boat or water craft can be enjoyed in countless destinations around the world, from Antarctica and Costa Rica, to the Galapagos, Norway and Australia. But for Verbeek, she recommends two in particular for their incredible wildlife.

“Borneo’s Kinabatangan River offers one of the highest concentrations of wildlife, where proboscis monkeys, macaques and even wild orangutans and pygmy elephants can be spotted,” she tells Travelweek. “Meanwhile, Africa’s Chobe National Park boasts the largest elephant population on the continent, making it a prime destination for water safaris.”

As for when to go on a water-based safari, it will depend on the destination. Verbeek’s biggest tip is to research local weather and what to expect during the different seasons. “Typically, during rainy season, most animals will be harder to spot as they take shelter and move away from large water sources,” she says.

If you were to ask Goway’s Smith when to go on a water-based safari, she’d tell you that there’s no bad time, just “different” times.

“For example,” she says, “in the dry season in Southern Africa, which runs from May to October, lower water levels in some areas make wildlife easier to spot along riverbanks. Meanwhile, the green season from November to April is perfect for ‘mokoro’ (traditional dug-out canoe) safaris as water levels are higher and there are abundant opportunities for bird watching. Plus, this period often has better value with lower rates.”

For year-round game viewing, Smith also recommends the Kazinga Channel in Uganda, known for having one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and countless Nile crocodiles.

Boat cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth in Uganda – Credit Intrepid Travel

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A WATER-BASED SAFARI

No two safaris are the same, which is why both Smith and Verbeek recommend doing ample research to find one that includes suitable accommodations and water/land transport for each comfort level. As Smith notes, some guests may feel uneasy canoeing past hippos and crocodiles, which is why Goway offers a pontoon alternative for greater comfort and stability.

When booking with Intrepid, Verbeek says transport varies from experience to experience. For example, in Borneo, guests will board a simple wooden speedboat to sail into the forest, whereas in the Okavango Delta they will travel in a mokoro for a water-level exploration of the area. A traditional flat-bottom barge is used to sail the waterways of Madagascar, while a solar electric boat with seating along the edges affords ample viewing of crocodiles and birds in Australia.

As for what wildlife to expect while on a water-based safari, Verbeek says the sky’s the limit – literally.

“In Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park, you can see over 300 bird species, turtles, otters and manatee. When you’re in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, expect to see elephants, antelope and warthogs. South Africa’s St Lucia Estuary is amazing for hippos, while in Australia’s Daintree Rainforest, you’ll see crocodiles, birdlife, snakes, frogs and beautiful fish,” she says. “Exploring these landscapes from the water provides a unique and immersive way to witness nature at its most raw and breathtaking.”

WHAT TO BOOK

If Africa is top of mind, Goway offers a wide selection of customizable itineraries that combine land-based safaris with walking- and water-based ones. Itineraries include mokoro experiences in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, canoeing in the Mana Pools of Lower Zambezi, sunset cruises on the Chobe River, as well as small boat and tender excursions on Lake Kariba, located along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Smith recommends Goway’s nine-day ‘Best of Zambia: Livingstone, South Luangwa & The Lower Zambezi,’ which includes river canoeing as well as visits to Victoria Falls and Kawaza Village and stays at Luangwe River Camp and Tongabezi Safari Lodge. For an unforgettable family safari complete with a mokoro experience in the Okavango Delta, Smith suggests the nine-day ‘Ultimate Botswana Family Safari’ featuring once-in-a-lifetime highlights like the zebra migration in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and safari game drives in Moremi and the Savute areas.

Equally diverse is Intrepid’s portfolio, featuring water-based safaris in Borneo, Kenya, Botswana, Costa Rica, South Africa, Madagascar and Australia. Verbeek says Intrepid’s 10-day ‘Classic Borneo’ is a must-book for its cruise along the Kinabatangan River, a protected forest reserve and home to some of Borneo’s highest concentrations of wildlife. “Wild elephants seldom reveal themselves but crocodiles, wild orangutans and kingfishers are more easily seen, as well as proboscis monkeys and long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques,” she says.

In Africa, Verbeek recommends Intrepid’s nine-day ‘Botswana Highlights,’ which includes a river cruise in Chobe National Park, home of the largest population of elephants in the continent. “A river cruise here will get travellers up close to large families of elephants crossing the banks, drinking and playing in the water. It’s also ideal for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters,” she says.

For more information go to www.goway.com and www.intrepidtravel.com.

This article appears in the Feb. 27, 2025 edition of Travelweek; click here.