A number of destinations in Africa, in particular the Lower Zambezi River in Zambia, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and certain riverside destinations in Tanzania, offer the chance to explore the bush by river or lake as well as by land.

Boat safaris usually take the form of a three to four hour cruise at leisurely pace in an open-sided motor-launch. A river cruise offers a unique perspective of the bush and allows you to get up close to many of the larger animals such as elephants, hippos and crocodiles, as well as being a good way to see many river-dwelling species of birds. Your boat will be stocked with drinks and your guide will be on hand to answer any questions and point out anything you may have missed.

A river safari or lake cruise also gives the opportunity for some fishing.  River safaris availability will depend on the time of year in some locations, so check with your specialist if this is something that interests you.