South African Waterways – The Chobe River and Victoria Falls

Africa is on every traveler’s list of must-see destinations.  With its rivers teeming with wildlife, vast plains and scenic mountain peaks, the continent’s natural splendor and biodiversity impart an allure few can resist. 

The Chobe River

This scenic and important waterway, only 50 miles from Victoria Falls, forms the northern boundary of Chobe National Park.  It passes through the game-rich “four Corners” region where Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe all meet and is home to nearly 500 species of birds and the largest concentration of elephants in Africa.  Legendary explorer David Livingstone visited here in the 1850s, as have countless safari-goers ever since.

Zambezi Queen

Today, the river is a rich haven for wildlife, particularly during the dry season from late March through mid-November, when the water farther inland is scarce.  However, animal viewing is great year-round.  There is much to see along the reed-lined banks of the Chobe – lions, jackals, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, crocodiles, monkeys, baboons, kudu and impalas.  And surely few travel experiences can compare to personally witnessing a herd of elephants drinking at the water’s edge, or the turbulent froth that arises as hundreds of buffalo plunge cross the river, or the sight of a hippo, its massive jaws stretching wide in a contented yawn.  If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Puku Antelope – the Chobe River is the only part of Botswana where this extremely rare animal can be seen.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Justifiably recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is truly wondrous and breathtaking, a marvel of Mother Nature that must be seen in person to fully appreciate.  This massive cataract creates a mighty roar as it plummets 338 feet into the gorge below, kicking up a heavy mist visible from 40 miles away.  The sound is so tremendous that the African name for the falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya – literally, “the smoke that thunders.”  British explorer David Livingstone, the first European to set eyes on the falls in 1855, was so awe-struck by the spectacular sight that he named them in honor of his queen.  The falls are a mile wide, spanning the entire breadth of the Zambezi River.  In Livingstone’s words, “on sights as beautiful as this, angels in their flight must have gazed.”

Take a river cruise and escorted tour through exquisite and untamed South Africa.  Contact us at Travel, Tours & Cruises for details.