rickmck,
Your advise is good, as I probably won't have too much bird viewing on the rest of my trip, as it's not private.
I do indeed want to see sable but I could possibly take Lynn's advise and mekuro during the midday hrs.
Problem solved.

As somewhat of an avid kayaker, I wondered if I'm too much of a control freak to let someone else do the paddling.
My other concern is that I may feel hemmed in when surrounded by high reeds. I'll just have to get over myself though.

Lynn,
My mission in life is to live in <b> your</b> backpack.

I would vote for Mana canoeing over the mekoro in the delta. Both are a wonderful experience, but I favour the former. That is coming from someone who can pole. Mekoro is usually done in areas known not to have hippos and crocs. Basically, the shallows around the main channels.

I think that the Zambezi valley offers better vistas from the water. It is one of those truly magical places. In terms of game viewing, you may find it more Hippo and Croc avoidance. I also think that the birding is better from the water level. There are no reeds and narrow channels where vision is impeded.