Canoeing in Africa and kayaking Africa is a must for those who enjoy the freedom and tranquility of exploring waters on their own or with a guide. Some places offer it as a sheer water sport activity like Mauritius holidays, Seychelles Island hops, Mozambique and Lake Malawi exploring.
Other countries have exceptional canoeing safaris that allow you to get out amid unspoilt wilderness with some of the finest game and birdlife seen from the comfort of your canoe. By day, paddle along rivers and waterways and by night camp on the riverbanks sleeping under canvas to the calls of the wild.
A canoeing safari in Africa is the ultimate adventure. It’s a relatively slow pace, very soothing rhythm that will soon have you mesmerised and totally in tune with nature and its daily ebbs and flows.
Options are endless, from small group canoeing safari with mobile camping, private canoeing safaris with mobile camping or half and full day canoeing trips with more luxury safari accommodation by night.
When to Go
Kayaking and canoeing can be experienced in Africa at most times of the year, some regions are weather and water level dependent such as the Okavango Delta. Once we know where you would like to go, we can determine best time of year for you to travel.
Good to Know
You can canoe or kayak in Africa as an activity for just a few hours, up to a week or more on a small group expedition. It is available as a watersport, marine safari or marine and land safari depending on where you travel. No extensive experience necessary unless you are looking at ocean kayaking or long duration canoeing safari expeditions. Vessels are always provided along with paddles and safety equipment. You will be with qualified and experienced guides to ensure a safe and memorable canoeing safari or kayaking safari. Being out on canoe or kayak provides you with a very different experience in Africa’s wilderness and a very unique perspective of its wildlife.
Zambezi
Whether it’s the upper Zambezi on the Zimbabwe side or Lower Zambezi from Zambia (or Zimbabwe), this truly is the ultimate canoeing safari destination. Canoeing the Zambezi River is an adventure because no other river has its rich diversity of wildlife or sensational scenery. Canoeing safaris are done above the Victoria Falls (Upper Zambezi) or in the Lower Zambezi valley. Conducted by highly qualified, licensed professional guides your safety is not compromised as you take on one of the most exciting and rewarding safari adventure in Africa.
Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi offers exceptional lake conditions with still waters, spectacular scenery and quality kayaks. Lake Malawi kayaking also allows you the opportunity to take a dip and snorkel with the six hundred species of cichlids endemic to this region.
Walvis Bay
Namibia’s Walvis Bay kayaking is an awesome experience with a resident Cape Fur Seal population in excess of 2,500 and one of the country’s last remaining colonies. You may also see the resident diminutive Benguela Dolphins. a morning excursion sees you out on the waters with great light and seals that surround you and leap across your bow.
Delta Canoeing
Botswana’s traditional mokoro are dug out canoes that have, for generations, been custom built to survive the harsh conditions and shallow waters of the Okavango Delta. One of Africa’s wildlife treasures, the Okavango Delta today offers visitors exceptional canoeing safari opportunities through fresh waterways, rivers and swamps. Available as half day, full day or multi day activity, a Botswana canoeing safari is pure paradise. Most camps and lodges now use broad beamed, flat bottom modern canoes with padded seats and backrests. This is not difficult work, imagine stroking the water rather than powering through. Enjoy the birdlife that soar and flitter above you, the wildlife on the shoreline and of course in the water itself.
