Africa, sometimes referred to as the mother continent, has an abundance of beautiful water bodies. Whether you’re interested in canoeing, swimming, fishing, cruising on a boat or simply capturing extraordinary photographs – there’s a river, lake or ocean waiting for you! Our water attractions are home to over 500 fish species; contributes to fertile land that sustains croplands; and witnesses wildlife spectacles such as the Great Migration and survival of the fittest. Here are our top 9 African water attractions, from freshwater and man-made lakes to African Great Lakes to majestic cascades:
The Mara River, found in the Mara Region in Kenya and Tanzania, cuts across the migration path of big game in the Masai Mara/Serengeti Game Reserve. The river sees the cycle of life and death and has become one of Africa’s most perilous sites during the Great Migration. One of Earth’s most spectacular wildlife events culminates at this very river.
Victoria Falls is a cascade of water in Southern Africa. This world-renowned waterfall lies on the Zambezi River at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. First known as Mosi-oa-Tunya which means “The Smoke that Thunders”, the falls is 1 708 meters wide, and is the largest in the world.
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest fresh water, man-made lake and reservoir. It lies 1,300 kilometres upstream from the Indian Ocean, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Lake Kariba spread over the Zambezi River valley and is a special place of incredible beauty for all nature and photography lovers.
The Okavango Delta is an expansive inland river delta in northern Botswana. One of Africa’s last remaining great wildlife habitats that provide refuge to huge concentrations of game, this water body is a maze of sparkling lagoons and meandering channels. Explore the Okavango Deltaby mokoro, on foot or on game drive; or navigate past hippos, elephants and crocodiles in a dugout canoe.
The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river and the longest east-flowing river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa. Known as Southern Africa’s “River of Life”, it drains seven countries and supports millions of people who make use of its fisheries, forests, water, and rich floodplain soils.
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes, named after Queen Victoria. It’s so large it extends significantly into Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Among the freshwater lakes of the world, it is only exceeded by Lake Superior in North America.
Lake Turkana is situated in the Kenyan Rift Valley, in northern Kenya. It is the world’s largest permanent desert and alkaline lake.
The Olifants Riveris one of Southern Africa’s most important catchments – its water irrigates farming in western Mpumalanga and is a source of electrical power.
The Sabie River in South Africa forms part of the Komati River System and is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in South Africa.
