kawh

we are just beginning our research for a trip to south africa in 2014. (we are using miles to fly-- so must plan at least the flight well ahead!)

i have read several posts about river safaris and how beautiful they can be. but i don't see any several-day river safaris or cruises online?? we took a cruise up the mekong several years form vietnam to cambodia and really, really enjoyed it. (pandaw) the river was quite small in places, so i am assuming that there are rivers in s.a. big enough to accommodate.

anyone know of anything??
would really appreciate anything you experts have heard about!

ElaineAust

Hi Kawh,
I do not know of any SA overnight river boat options but I did 3 nights on The Chobe with Ichobezi House Boats out of Kasane and Wenlo Harbour a couple of years ago. It was a great change from walking and driving. We had the river to ourselves after the sun went down. Two nights would be enough and transfers from Vic Falls are pretty straight forward if you are planning to be in that part of the world.
Regards
Elaine

kawh

thanks very much for this, elaine... sorry for late response, but have been away. i looked at their website, and the info seems a little unclear... but will definitely contact them and see if i can get more clear information.
kawh

pixelpower

One more option; rent a houseboat on the Okavango river in Botswana. We did this a few weeks ago. Boat was called Ngwesi. If you google for that, you will surely find the website.

The boat is moored at Shakawe, and you can get there with a bush flight from Maun, or drive there yourself. We did the latter. It's all tar road anyway, so we rented a regular car at Budget Rental. Prices are rather cheap compared to Europe.

The boat experience was fantastic. Twice a day they take you out on little motot boats to do the smaller channels and the sides of the river. We saw a huge amount of bird life, but also lots crocs and hippo. We saw an otter too, and a sitatunga. Most memorable sighting was a Pel's fishing owl (not many of those around).

I'll write a trip report on safaritalk.net in a few days.

Ciao,

J.

baraca

Hi Kawh,

If you want to experience a top notch, beyond 5 star luxury river cruise on the Chobe River, then do it in style on the 'Zambezi Queen". It has 14 staterooms, all with private balconies, total passengers capacity 28, with meals to match the luxury experience! It spends 3 nights/4 days along Chobe River, near Namibia and Botswana, viewing the wildlife from the ship, with additional small boat rides closer to the shores, a school visit, a village visit, etc. The cruise is typically incorporated with a safari to Southern Africa.

Although I have not taken this cruise, I currently have clients who are considering it as we plan their safari to South Africa and Zambia.

Hope this helps,

Happy planning

kawh

both of the above posts were very helpful. i will read your post, pixelpower, and look into this. also, the 'zambezi queen' is just exactly like what i was thinking... reminds me of the 'Pandow' in vietnam because of the cultural visits. will you please post after your clients give you feedback?? we can't book it until we have our airline tix, which will be in september (for the following september)... so look forward to hearing more about this boat.
thanks all--
kawh