Classic Under Canvas & Chobe River Safari

No activity is more synonymous with the Okavango Delta than a mokoro trip. Glide silently along the hippo highways and elephant byways of the ancient Khwai River, historically, the only form of transport of the River Bushmen. Explore this unique inland delta deserving of its World Heritage Site status. Traditionally, fashioned out of a single tree trunk today, mokoro or dugout canoe are fibreglass as a measure to preserve Botswana’s hardwood forests.

Learn about the fascinating ecology from our River Guides who navigate your journey through the tranquil watery wilderness. This seasonal activity is available to guests 16 years and older.

Lead by one of our experienced guides, you’ll see magnificent wildlife indigenous to the area. Your guide will show you the hidden spots best for game viewing and give you an insider’s knowledge. With years of experience our African Bush Camps guides are known for being some of the best in the business.

Awaken your senses and discover all that the bush has to offer when taking part in a walking safaris. Guided walking safaris are for guests 16 years and older and are led by our qualified and passionate walking guides who share their knowledge and love of the bush.

With the dry vegetation between May and October, walking safaris are a fantastic and exciting way to experience the area. Since your safety is our first priority, walking safaris are usually conducted when the bush is not too thick and our guides are armed at all times.

Bird watching in Botswana is a rich pastime. Delight in the call of the Green Heron or African wood owl; photograph the majestic Pel’s fishing owl and Ayres’s hawk-eagle. Or simply sit back and enjoy their beautiful songs.

Working together with the communities around the areas we operate in gives locals an opportunity to be self-sustainable, by sharing knowledge there has been a decrease in the human-wildlife conflict. Take the opportunity to visit the locals and become accustomed to their way of life.

We specialise in children on safari. Nature walks around camp, arts and crafts, cooking lessons and other specialist child activities for younger guests are all possible with our Ngwana Club.

Traditionally, the Mokoro was the only form of transport through the waterways. Sail through the rivers and tributaries with our River Guides in a dugout canoe, savouring those moments of peace, and encounter an incredible variety of wildlife along the way.

Unlike the traditional Mokoros which are made from indigenous trees, to conserve the environment we model our Mokoros out of fiberglass. Mokoro Safaris are available when water levels permit.

Morning, afternoon and night game drives are offered in open 4x4 vehicles. Linyanti is best known for it's large populations of elephant and buffalo that congregate in vast numbers especially during the dry season.

Lead by one of our experienced guides, you’ll see magnificent wildlife indigenous to the area. Your guide will show you the hidden spots best for game viewing and give you an insider’s knowledge. With years of experience our African Bush Camps guides are known for being some of the best in the business.

Our private concessions allow for game drives after the sun has set. Experience the bush when elusive nocturnal wildlife awakens to hunt, forage and live their lives under the cover of darkness.

Awaken your senses and discover all that the bush has to offer when taking part in a walking safaris. Guided walking safaris are for guests 16 years and older and are led by our qualified and passionate walking guides who share their knowledge and love of the bush.

For a full day walking safari, a private walking guide will need to be pre-booked with us.

With the dry vegetation between May and October, walking safaris are a fantastic and exciting way to experience the area. Since your safety is our first priority, walking safaris are usually conducted when the bush is not too thick and our guides are armed at all times.

The area offers spectacular birding all year round. With its mixed habitats comes a good variety of bird species. Linyanti birding is excellent, making it one of the biggest attractions on an Okavango safari.

A half-hour scenic helicopter flight is included when you stay 3 nights or more at Linyanti Bush Camp from April to November. Experience the pristine wilderness from a bird’s-eye vantage for a completely different bush experience.

Staying on board one of the Chobe Princesses is like being on a permanent game viewing vehicle, but with a much higher comfort factor. Situated in the heart of the Chobe region with access to river frontage of the Chobe National Park, we also offer water-based game drives by tender boat, allowing you to experience the enormous diversity and concentration of wildlife up even closer.

Game viewing on the Chobe River is at its most exceptional from March to November when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile as they search for food and water. Summer and spring also offer unique opportunities though, as you watch the landscape burst into life after the first rains of the season. Catch sight of huge herds of elephant as they swim across the water, as well as buffalo, lion, crocodile, lechwe, puku, giraffe, zebra, sable, kudu and the occasional leopard as they gather to quench their thirst at watering holes. Besides animal life, you’ll also see a huge variety of birdlife and plant life as you listen to the sounds of a hippo grunting and breathe in the sweet smell of African grass.

The Chobe is known as a photographer's paradise and for good reason. The soft early morning light and the sunsets at dusk, combined with striking animal behaviour, make for dramatic and unusual photo opportunities. Before your game viewing excursion, remember to apply sunscreen and wear a hat, as temperatures can reach over 40 degrees centigrade. You should also bring along a jacket for the chillier temperatures in the early mornings and evenings.

Enjoy the ultimate in game viewing safari decadence as you sip on a drink and cruise along the river in one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

No trip to the Chobe is complete without trying your hand at a fishing safari where if you’re lucky, you may even catch a tiger fish. One of the greatest fighting fish in the world, the tiger fish is the most sought after prize of these waters and is known for its ferocious spirit. It's not all about tiger fish though. You may also hook one of the many bream species, African pike, tilapia, catfish or upper Zambezi yellowfish as you explore over 100 kms of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, as well as the winding Kasai Channel and thrilling Chobe and Mambova rapids.

We offer both conventional equipment as well as flyfishing equipment for our fishing safaris, because we know that the area is renowned worldwide for its flyfishing. We supply rods, flies, lures, lines, leaders and reels and all equipment is included in our rate.

Because of our unique location, we offer excellent fishing safaris all year round – from the annual floods starting in March to the feeding frenzies in the winter months. Our highly knowledgeable guides, the tackle and bait we supply as well as well stocked cooler boxes make fishing in Africa an experience to remember. Land an eight pounder or more and earn bragging rights for years to come, as you enjoy a fishing trip that's second to none.

With over 450 species, a mix of terrains and a dramatic African backdrop, the Chobe River is the perfect setting for a highly rewarding birdwatching safari. Birding season starts in September, when the first migrants arrive, boosting the bird population sometimes by 20% compared to the winter months. From December through to March birdlife on the Chobe is extremely busy and the colourful breeding plumage on display is an extraordinary sight.

Experienced birders and even eager amateurs will delight in spotting distinct birds such as African skimmers, rock pratincoles and the African finfoot, either through their binoculars or with the naked eye. Having access to your own knowledgeable guide and tender boat lets you spend many hours on your birding safari also viewing cattle egrets, fish eagles, open-billed storks, lesser-striped swallows, pied kingfishers and the striking carmine bee-eater. The slow drift of the tender boat means that you won’t disturb the peaceful silence and can also get up close to the birds and observe their fascinating behaviour.

Sit patiently and absorb the beauty around you and soon you’ll be rewarded with a unique sighting that you’ll want to photograph. Because you’ll have access to the Chobe National Park and the Caprivi wetlands, you’ll get exposure to a wide variety of species you may have never seen before. The distinct sounds of the call of an African fish eagle mingling with the grunt of hippos will stay with you long after your Chobe River birdwatching safari is over.

Uninterrupted access to wild animals. Absolute silence. Golden light. The Chobe River is an unforgettable photographic safari destination, and one of the wildlife photographers’ hotspots in Africa. To help you capture that perfect moment, our custom-designed photographic safari boats are available on request and cater for 6 clients in individual photographic seats. The boat contains custom-designed swivel chairs that give you greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter. Every seat is equipped with a mounting for resting SLR cameras of all types and you’ll get your own experienced safari guide who’ll help you find that perfect shot.

Bring your own photographic equipment as we don’t supply this - the optimal lens to bring is an 80 - 400mm zoom. Because this is a water-based safari, you'll be able to take unique shots in a safe environment, being able to view the animals in the Chobe National Park surrounded by that magical golden light Africa is renowned for. Tea and coffee will be offered in the morning during the winter months and soft drinks, local beers and wines will be served in the afternoon. Light snacks are also served during your excursion, providing you with a photographic experience that's also about pure comfort.

Departure times are early morning and late afternoon and the safari takes three hours. Please let us know at the time of booking your holiday if you’d like to use our customised photographic safari boat. Capture your stay with breathtaking photos of the unique African landscape and the wild animals that surround you.

One of the best ways to learn more about a country is to experience its culture. A village tour while on board the Zambezi Queen will take you by tender boat to a local Namibian village called Ijambwe, situated on the floodplains of the East Caprivi. Meet village elders and locals and gain a greater understanding of how the inhabitants of this 100-year old village live, including their daily challenges and traditions.

Wear a large sun hat and apply sun lotion, bring a bottle of water with you and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll start by taking a slow, non-strenuous but sandy stroll through the village as you snap a few photographs and meet the Headman of the village as well as his children. The men of the village either fish to provide meals for their families, while the women and younger children perform the chores and produce handmade crafts. Pick up a woven basket, beaded jewellery or a carved wooden animal as a memento from your trip – sales of these crafts empower village inhabitants by helping them earn a living. If you want to give the children of the village gifts, bring along school stationery, books or clothing – all will be highly appreciated. Finally, enjoy a display of traditional dancing and singing at the end and join in the fun!

Guests can also go on a walking tour to a 2000-year-old baobab tree where you'll learn more about the medicinal and spiritual value of Impalila Island’s flora. For our more adventurous guests, if you have the inclination to climb the tree, you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the meeting place of two rivers and four countries.

Conservation Community Fund Africa (CCFA)

• CCFA, a registered non-profit company (NPC), is both a fundraising and a grant-giving organization, active in educating and empowering local communities to help themselves by implementing sustainable wildlife management systems. Guests who visit the Mantis Collection hotels, eco-escapes and waterways play an important role in supporting conservation-led travel and hospitality. It’s about curated destinations, inspired by sustainable adventures. The Fund has brought together three internationally successful wildlife conservation organisations: Wilderness Foundation Africa, African Parks and Tusk Trust and collaborates on projects in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.  Here is a link to the CCFA website for more information: https://www.ccfa.africa/

Experience gourmet dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.

The Cassia Restaurant delivers an unmatched menu, paired with an extensive wine list comprised of carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards. The calming and tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background. A truly unforgettable dining experience not to be missed.

You know what they say about the early bird? If you are a passionate birdwatcher, don’t miss out on this river cruise! Keen bird lovers will delight in marking off their sightings in the birding booklet provided on board while enjoying a delicious continental breakfast including fruit platters, fresh pastries and a variety of cheeses and biscuits. Rare birds such as the African Pitta and the Narina Trogon have been sighted here, as well as hundreds of other bird species. The knowledgeable and experienced guides conduct these early morning river cruises.

Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a continental breakfast as you cruise up the Zambezi River towards Kandahar Island while enjoying the sounds of the diverse birdlife and the African bush come to life in the early morning. Breakfast includes freshly baked pieces of bread and pastries, fresh fruit platters, jams, yoghurts and cheeses as well as an assortment of teas and coffee.

Sit back and relax while sipping a cold drink and enjoying a few quiet hours along the banks of the Zambezi River. Our lunch buffet includes cold meats, fresh salads and a wide selection of biscuits and cheeses, all catered by the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. The fully stocked bar is available throughout the cruise and the attentive crew is at your service.

There simply is not a better way to enjoy the dazzling African sunset than from the comfort of a Ra-Ikane boat on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our ever-popular sunset cruise offers a unique way to explore the channels of the river and to get an up-close view of the pristine wilderness and African game along its banks. Enjoy an array of canapés, a full bar and a charming crew who can impart a bit of interesting Victoria Falls history with you on board the Ra-Ikane.