There is something deeply hypnotic about safaris by water. Where land-based game drives bring dust and drama, river and wetland safaris offer a quieter, often more intimate lens into the natural world.
Think hippos snorting in the shallows, crocodiles basking motionless on mud banks, and elephants fording slow-flowing rivers. These aquatic experiences bring travellers closer to the rhythms of the wild, all while drifting past landscapes shaped by tides, floods and the migration of birds and beasts. Here’s our curated guide to the best river and wetland safaris in the world – where the water does all the talking.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa’s greatest inland deltas, the Okavango Delta is an ever-shifting labyrinth of lagoons, papyrus-lined channels and reed islands. Safaris here are usually done in a mokoro – a traditional dugout canoe propelled quietly by a guide’s pole. Wildlife encounters are spectacular: lions and leopards on dry islands, elephants knee-deep in lilies, and rare sitatunga antelope vanishing into reeds. The sheer biodiversity is astonishing – over 400 species of birds, and everything from African wild dogs to fish eagles.
Pantanal, Brazil
Often overshadowed by the Amazon, the Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland and arguably South America’s most reliable place to spot jaguars in the wild. During the rainy season, most of the land is submerged, making river safaris the only way to get around. Travellers can cruise along the Rio Cuiabá keeping watch for capybaras, caimans, and the elusive spotted cat. The area is also a paradise for birdwatchers – giant jabirus, roseate spoonbills and hyacinth macaws flourish here.
Keralan Backwaters, India
Far from the big game territories of Africa and South America, Kerala’s backwaters offer a different kind of safari – slow, serene and deeply connected to local life. Cruising in a traditional kettuvallam houseboat, visitors drift through a network of canals, lakes and lagoons fringed by palm trees and rice paddies. While not wildlife-dense, the backwaters are rich in kingfishers, cormorants, and otters, and provide a rare look at harmonious co-existence between humans and nature.
Zambezi River, Zambia and Zimbabwe
From the thunder of Victoria Falls to the calm channels of Lower Zambezi National Park, the Zambezi River is central to southern Africa’s safari culture. Canoe trips offer unforgettable moments: herds of elephants crossing at dusk, fish eagles swooping overhead, and pods of hippos keeping a wary eye on passing boats. Game-viewing is particularly rewarding in the dry season, when animals gather along the riverbanks to drink.
Kakadu National Park, Australia
In the Northern Territory, Kakadu’s seasonal wetlands – part of a UNESCO-listed national park – burst into life during the monsoon months. Boat safaris through Yellow Water Billabong reveal saltwater crocodiles, wild buffalo, and an astonishing variety of birdlife, from jacanas to white-bellied sea eagles. Aboriginal rock art sites dot the landscape, offering a cultural layer to the experience.
Danube Delta, Romania
Europe’s second-largest river delta is also one of its most untouched. The Danube Delta, a maze of narrow channels and floating reed islands, teems with life: pelicans glide over the water, otters dart beneath, and frogs chorus at dusk. Boat-based safaris here are peaceful, with an emphasis on eco-tourism and bird conservation. Local guides often double as fishermen or farmers, offering insight into a timeless, water-bound way of life.
Chobe River, Botswana/Namibia
One of Africa’s most thrilling water safaris takes place along the Chobe River – the boundary between Botswana and Namibia. From the comfort of riverboats or small launches, visitors can witness elephants bathing in the shallows, buffalo grazing at the water’s edge, and crocodiles barely rippling the surface. Afternoon safaris offer dramatic sunsets, as the sky turns copper and herds silhouette against the horizon.
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