The word safari is associated with a stereotypical image of dusty roads, bumping along in open-roofed vehicles, scanning the bush for wildlife with binoculars glued to your eyes, and wearing safari clothes.
But, in northeastern Namibia and northern Botswana, a different kind of safari exists, one that is anything but dusty.
A water safari along the Kwando and Chobe River is a slower, more sensory experience.
It’s about drifting alongside hippos rather than chasing after herds, about the symphony of birdcalls rising above reed beds, and about experiencing wildlife in real time, undisturbed and in its natural rhythm.
For travellers day-dreaming about Namibia safaris or Botswana safaris, a river-based safari on the Kwando and Chobe River is one that will give you a richer connection to the lands, or rather rivers, that you will be exploring.
It’s just the sort of safari that appeals to people who enjoy birding and photography and who want a more laid-back interaction with nature, or those who simply want a break from the traditional safari pace.
When you meander down the Kwando and Chobe River, while you won’t cover as much distance, you will experience more detail, more nuance, and arguably, more magic.
Where is the Kwando River?
The Kwando River rises in Angola and flows down through Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, forming a natural boundary between Namibia and Botswana before turning into the Linyanti Swamp, on the Northern Border of Botswana.
It eventually becomes the Chobe River further downstream.
The Kwando River stretches over an incredible 700 kilometres, carving through floodplains, papyrus swamps, and gallery forests.
The closest town to the Namibian stretch of the Kwando is Kongola, a small but significant settlement for visitors headed into the wetlands.
Also close to the Kwando River are Mudumu National Park and Bwabwata National Park, two remote reserves that benefit from the river’s constant water supply. In this corridor, elephants move without constraints between Namibia, Botswana, and Angola, part of a massive transboundary conservation effort.
What makes the Kwando River special is its quiet presence.
Compared to those more commercial safari circuits, the Kwando is uncrowded.
You’ll often be the only boat drifting past crocodiles and waterbuck, with nothing but the splash of a diving kingfisher to interrupt the stillness.
Where is the Chobe River?
The Chobe River lies in northern Botswana and forms part of the border between Botswana and Namibia. It eventually joins the Zambezi River near Kasane, a small but busy town that serves as the jumping-off point for most Chobe safaris.
Measuring roughly 150 kilometres, the Chobe might not be lengthy, but it’s intensely alive.
It forms the northern boundary of Chobe National Park, a protected area renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife, especially elephants. During the dry season (May to October), thousands of elephants migrate to the riverbanks, making this time of the year one of the best to book a safari.
Kasane is one of the closest towns to the Chobe River, and it has a full spectrum of accommodation, including rustic campsites and fancy high-end lodges like Chobe Marina Lodge and Mowana Safari Lodge, with many of the lodges having direct river access.
Tours on the Chobe include sunrise and sunset boat safaris, full-day game drives, and even photographic cruises equipped with swivel chairs and places to mount a camera.
For travellers wanting comfort and close proximity to nature, houseboat safaris on the Chobe are also an option.
What Animals Do You Find on the Chobe River?
The Chobe River is best known for its elephant populations.
During the dry months, the elephants arrive at the river in their droves, with family groups marching in single file down dusty tracks to the water’s edge.
But the elephants are just one part of the show.
You can also expect to see buffalo, sable antelopes, giraffes, impalas, and warthogs grazing on the riverbanks. Hippos wallow in the shallows, and crocodiles lurk just beneath the surface. Overhead, birds like African fish eagles, jacanas, bee-eaters, and kingfishers fill the sky with movement and peaceful birdsong.
Guided river safaris make viewing these animals easy, safe and intimate.
The boats have no motor and will float silently along the shoreline, giving you a close yet respectful view of the wildlife. There’s also the chance to spot predators like lions and leopards taking sips and hunting along the water’s edge. Predator sightings are particularly abundant in the early mornings or late afternoons.
And Chobe’s riverfront lodges also help visitors make the most of the wildlife viewing opportunities by often including two activities per day: a game drive and a river safari. This combination allows visitors to see both the dry land dwellers and water-loving animals, rounding out their safari experience at the best times of the day.
What Animals Do You Find on the Kwando River?
The Kwando River region is wilder and more remote than the Chobe River.
Here, the landscapes are much thicker, the tourist numbers lower, and the feeling of solitude much more pronounced.
The Kwando is home to hippos, elephants, sitatungas, and red lechwe, animals which have specially adapted to the marshy terrain. African wild dogs and leopards have also been spotted along the floodplains, and, as you can probably imagine, the birdlife is nothing short of spectacular.
For accommodation, riverside lodges like Lianshulu Lodge, Namushasha River Lodge, and Nkasa Lupala give visitors both game drives and boat excursions. Most use aluminium skimmers or pontoon-style boats, which are ideal for quietly floating through the channels and lagoons.
Because of its quietude, the Kwando and Chobe River are ideal for photographers or those who would like to have a less commercial safari.
It’s the place where you can park the boat and watch a herd of elephants swim across the channel or observe a pied kingfisher hover and dive for its supper, undisturbed by crowds or competing boats.
What Tours Do You Offer?
For those who like structured itineraries, our multi-country safari tours are designed to take you deep into the areas surrounding the Kwando River and Chobe River, while also introducing you to southern Africa’s most iconic natural highlights.
We currently have two long tours that you can choose from:
- Nabozi Roundtrip – 15 Days
This guided journey takes you from the iconic sand dunes of Sossusvlei to the Atlantic seaside town of Swakopmund, then on to the wilderness of Etosha National Park.
After spending some time tracking wildlife, you’ll follow the Okavango River to Popa Falls, and then continue into the lush Kwando River corridor.
The tour ends with river safaris on the Chobe River and a stop at the Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe.
- Three Countries Adventure Safari – 16 Days
This is an in-depth tour of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, beginning in the serene Kalahari Desert.
The tour includes scenic flights over the Namib Desert, game drives in Etosha, and houseboat safaris on the Kwando River. From there, guests can explore the Okavango Delta, drift along the Chobe River, and finish the tour with a visit to the Victoria Falls.
Both of these tours are made with meaningful travel in mind; there’s no rushing, just a slow, layered experience led by seasoned guides.
Book Your Kwando and Chobe River Safari Today
Herds of elephants and buffalo move quietly through the water. Birds dart through the golden light of dawn and dusk. The hush of reeds brushes against the hull.
On the Kwando and Chobe River, every bend in the water holds the potential to see something truly magnificent.
If you’re planning a Namibia safari or Botswana safari, it’s time to go beyond the beaten track and explore the riverways that make southern Africa pulse with life.
Reserve your Kwando and Chobe river safari today, and let nature set the pace of your next African excursion.
