Activity guide
Boat Safaris: Kazinga, Chobe & the Rufiji
Eye-level elephants and wallowing hippos from the water.
What it is
Slow cruises past elephant herds drinking at the bank, hippo pods, crocodiles and fish eagles - photography at water level with zero dust.
Trips featuring this activity
Where it is available
Kazinga Channel (Uganda), Chobe riverfront (Botswana), Rufiji River (Nyerere), Zambezi and Lake Kariba.
Best time
Dry season concentrates herds at water; afternoon light photographs best.
Cost
Included in most water-adjacent itineraries; private boats 100 to 300 dollars.
Who it suits
Everyone including limited-mobility travelers - boats are the most accessible safari.
FAQs
What exactly is Boat Safaris: Kazinga, Chobe & the Rufiji?
Kazinga Channel (Uganda), Chobe riverfront (Botswana), Rufiji River (Nyerere), Zambezi and Lake Kariba.
What does it cost?
Included in most water-adjacent itineraries; private boats 100 to 300 dollars.
Who is it suitable for?
Everyone including limited-mobility travelers - boats are the most accessible safari.
What is NOT included that surprises first-timers?
International flights, visas, travel insurance (required), premium drinks, the balloon flight where offered, and tips. Our quotes line-item park fees and permits so the total you compare is the total you pay.
What happens if it rains?
Game drives run rain or shine - vehicles have roofs and ponchos, animals remain active, and green-season light is superb for photography. Only true downpours pause activity, and camps flex schedules around them.
What insurance do we need?
Comprehensive travel insurance is required, including medical evacuation (AMREF/Flying Doctors cover, about 30 dollars, is recommended for remote circuits). Bring policy details - camps and operators ask for them.
Can we customise the route?
Freely - add nights, upgrade camps, swap parks or append beach and trekking. Request a proposal and we re-quote line by line.
Do we need a visa?
Most visitors need one: Tanzania offers visas on arrival for many nationalities, Kenya uses an eTA applied for online before travel, Uganda an e-visa. We confirm the current rule for your passport before you fly.
One decision per country, and they differ. Tanzania sells visas on arrival for most passports - US$50, US$100 for United States citizens - or by eVisa in advance. Kenya has issued only the eTA since 2024, at US$32.50 online at least three days before departure. Uganda runs an e-visa printed before you fly, and the US$100 East African Tourist Visa folds Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda into a single stamp. Six months of passport validity covers all three. Send us passport details at proposal stage and we confirm every rule for your nationality before you commit to flights.
Traveling solo - how do single supplements work?
All itineraries run solo. Expect a 20 to 50 percent supplement where lodges charge per room; vehicles cost the same whether one or six ride. Ask for the honest supplement math per trip.
Related
Add this to your safari
One proposal, all activities placed correctly.