With Bwaato Adventures Safaris, surely the most elegant and leisurely way to experience the Zambezi river is aboard an old-style double-decker riverboat complete with gleaming brass that cruises regally upriver from its dock on the aptly named Royal Mile. In the rarified atmosphere on board, guests sip cocktails or soft drinks to the rhythmic accompaniment of xylophones, or marimba, sounding the vessel's imminent departure. As the boat makes her stately way upstream, you take a gentle look around the Zambezi's islands, surrounded by national parks on both sides of the river. You may well spot the old hippo, crocodile, or elephant – or even, if you're very lucky, a white rhino – not to mention numerous birds. Such luxury doesn't come cheap, but the price is inclusive of drinks and a substantial finger buffet and is good value. Lunches and dinners are also of a high standard, giving a memorable and unique dining experience. Smaller craft also fly the same route, of course, organised by Bwaato Adventures, popular with backpackers, boasting all you can drink. However, you can still take a gentle look around the Zambezi's islands, surrounded by national parks on both sides of the river. And away from the crowded waters near 25km upstream, you can cruise in solitude, taking in the scenery, prolific birdlife and wildlife along the banks of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Hippos, elephants and crocodiles are commonly seen as well as waterbuck, bushbuck and even buffalo. Several propeller-free aluminium safari boats in and around the falls and on the Upper Zambezi are available for game viewing, for small groups (up to eight people per boat). Experience breath encounters with the endangered White Rhino whilst walking in the untamed Zambian bush of Livingstone's Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Bwaato Adventures Safaris offer a fully inclusive walking safari in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park just 15 minutes drive from Livingstone centre. Bwaato Adventures Safaris will collect you from your lodge or hotel and transfer you to the park in an open safari vehicle to the start of your walk. Once there you will be provided with a light breakfast of tea/coffee and a homemade muffin whilst listening to your Guide explain what you can expect on your Walk. You will be provided with a bottle of mineral water for the walk. The walking safari is generally split into two parts – firstly in the main section of the park where there is the highest concentration of large game, such as elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, bush buck, water buck and many smaller animals such as warthog, monitor lizards, baboons and vervet monkeys. After a short break for homemade cake, biscuits and refreshing lemon juice you will make a short transfer by vehicle to the area the white rhino inhabit and track them to where they are feeding or resting. You may also see the sable antelope.
