10 Rivers Around The World That Offer Epic Wildlife Safaris

OT Staff & Waquar Habib

Amazon River – Brazil

Navigating the Amazon conducts you through lush rainforest brimming with jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, harpy eagles and over 600 bird species, offering unparalleled biodiversity in a boat safari setting.

A view of the Amazon River, Brazil | insidenatgeo/instagram

Chobe River – Botswana / Namibia

This river flowing through Chobe National Park draws vast herds of elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Boat cruises deliver jaw-dropping wildlife views, especially of elephants bathing beside the water.

A view of Chobe River | chobesafarilodge.botswana/instagram

Zambezi River – Zambia / Zimbabwe

Offering dramatic views near Victoria Falls, the Zambezi’s water safaris reward travellers with sightings of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds via canoe and motorboat excursions.

A view of the Zambezi River | honeymarku5/instagram

Ganges River – India

The Ganges flows through the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, where visitors can spot endangered Ganges river dolphins alongside diverse fish and birdlife during river safaris.

A shot of a Gangetic dolphin | KUKIL GOGOI/Wikimedia Commons

Mekong River – Southeast Asia

Flowing through multiple countries, the Mekong offers wildlife viewers the chance to see rare freshwater dolphins, water buffalo and diverse bird species near Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake.

Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake | remgok/instagram

Grumeti River – Tanzania

Within the Serengeti’s western corridor, the Grumeti River stage is famed for dramatic wildebeest crossings among crocodile-infested waters as part of the Great Migration spectacle.

At the Grumeti River | andbeyondgrumeti/instagram

Luangwa River – Zambia

Winding through South and North Luangwa National Parks, this river supports very high hippo populations and guarantees sightings of crocodiles, birds, and grazing game in the dry season.

Scene along the Luangwa River | safari.frank/instagram

Kazinga Channel – Uganda

Connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, Kazinga Channel is home to large concentrations of hippos, buffalo, elephants, crocodiles, and rich birdlife in boat safari environment.

At the Kazinga Channel | nomadafricatravel/instagram

Rufiji River – Tanzania

Located within Nyerere National Park, the Rufiji’s lush waterways support hippos, crocodiles, elephants and bird species, offering secluded, water-based safaris far from Masai Mara’s bustle.

A shot of Rufiji River | hereistanzania/instagram

Ulanga River – Tanzania

The fertile Ulanga Valley fosters diverse wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, hippos, lions and endemic species like the Udzungwa red colobus and Ulanga weaver bird.

A shot of Udzungwa red colobus | japhetking_17/instagram

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