Nziza Hospitality

Water Sports

Kite surf, jet ski, and parasail off Africa's East Coast, surf South Africa's world-class breaks, or raft the continent's great rivers.

Africa’s coastlines and rivers offer some of the most varied water sports on the planet, from calm, warm-water adventures along the Indian Ocean to some of the world’s most thrilling white water rafting. Wherever you choose to base yourself, there is likely a water-based adventure suited to your interests.

Along the East Coast, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean create the perfect setting for a wide range of activities. Kite surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, and wakeboarding are all popular here, drawing on steady winds and calm, clear waters that make conditions ideal for both beginners and experienced water sports enthusiasts.

Why Try Water Sports in Africa?

Water sports offer a refreshing change of pace during an African trip, particularly for those combining time on safari with a coastal stay. The Indian Ocean coastline is lined with excellent lodges and hotels that can arrange first-class equipment and experienced guides, taking the hassle out of planning and letting you focus on the adventure itself.

Inland, Africa’s great rivers offer a completely different kind of thrill. South Africa is known for reliably good surf year-round, ranging from gentle beach breaks suited to beginners to serious big wave spots for the more experienced. Meanwhile, some of the world’s best white water rafting can be found on the continent’s major rivers, offering an exciting and adrenaline-fuelled addition to any safari.

Things to Do

Depending on your destination, water sports available across Africa include:

  • Kite surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, and wakeboarding along the Indian Ocean coast
  • Surfing along South Africa’s coastline, from beginner-friendly breaks to advanced big wave spots
  • White water rafting on some of Africa’s most iconic rivers
  • Scuba diving and snorkelling along coral-rich coastal waters
  • Sailing, boating, and other calm-water activities for a more relaxed pace

Plan Your Water Sports Adventure

A trip down the Nile from Uganda, or along the Zambezi from either Zambia or Zimbabwe, adds an unforgettable and adrenaline-filled dimension to a wider safari itinerary. These rivers cut through some of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, offering rafting experiences that rank among the best in the world.

For those seeking a calmer pace, the Indian Ocean coast offers plenty of gentler options too, from a lazy afternoon of snorkelling to a guided sailing trip along the shoreline. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline on the rapids or looking for a relaxed afternoon on the water, Africa’s rivers and coastlines offer something for every type of traveller, making water sports a natural addition to almost any African journey.

ITINERARIES FEATURING Water Sports

Untamed Tanzania and Kenya Safari

1 night
TanzaniaKenya
ArushaSerengetiNairobiMasai MaraLaikipia
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Gorillas & The Great Migration In Depth

12 nights
RwandaTanzania
KigaliVolcanoesArushaSerengeti
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Layover: Sightseeing Addis Ababa

night
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
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Tribes of Omo Valley

night
Ethiopia
Addis AbabaJinkaArba MinchHawassa
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Layover: Journey from Capital to Sacred Lalibela

night
Ethiopia
Addis AbabaLalibela
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Classic Historic Route of Ethiopia

night
Ethiopia
Addis AbabaBahir DarGondarLalibela
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Best of Ethiopia

12 nights
Ethiopia
Addis AbabaBahir DarGondarLalibelaJinkaArba Minch
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The Northern Highlights

night
South Africa
JohannesburgSun CityKruger National Park
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Cape Town to The Whale Coast

10 nights
South Africa
Cape TownStellenbosch
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Winelands, Garden Route Golf & Eastern Cape Safari

12 nights
South Africa
StellenboschGeorgeKnysnaEastern Cape
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Best of Botswana

10 nights
Botswana
Moremi Game Reserve
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Giraffe Manor, the Great Migration & Zanzibar

11 nights
KenyaTanzania
NairobiMasai MaraSerengetiZanzibar
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Track gorillas & chimps, Serengeti safari & Zanzibar bliss

13 nights
UgandaTanzania
Kibale Forest National ParkBwindi Impenetrable National ParkSerengetiZanzibar
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Giraffe Manor, the Masai Mara & Mountain Gorillas

9 nights
KenyaUganda
NairobiMasai MaraBwindi Impenetrable National Park
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Close Encounters with Uganda’s Gorillas

5 nights
Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
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Great Migration Mobile Safari

8 nights
Tanzania
KilimanjaroSerengeti
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Primate Paradise

7 nights
RwandaUganda
KigaliVolcanoesBwindi Impenetrable National ParkKibale Forest National Park
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Best of Kenya & Tanzania

15 nights
KenyaTanzania
NairobiMount KenyaAmboseliKilimanjaroNgorongoroSerengetiZanzibar
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Tanzania On Foot

8 nights
Tanzania
ArushaSelousNgorongoro
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East Africa Highlights

11 nights
KenyaTanzaniaRwanda
NairobiLaikipiaAmboseliMasai MaraNgorongoroVolcanoes
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Family Bush & Beach Safari

10 nights
Tanzania
KilimanjaroNgorongoroSerengetiZanzibar
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Uganda Meander

11 nights
Uganda
Murchison Falls National ParkKibale Forest National ParkBwindi Impenetrable National Park
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Uganda & Kenya Birding Safari

7 nights
UgandaKenya
Murchison Falls National ParkBwindi Impenetrable National ParkRift Valley
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Migration and Chimpanzees

5 nights
KenyaTanzania
NairobiMasai MaraKatavi
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Tanzania sky safari

8 nights
Tanzania
ArushaTarangireNgorongoroSerengeti
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Wings over the Great Rift Valley

8 nights
Kenya
SamburuRift ValleyMasai Mara
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PROPERTIES OFFERING Water Sports

Nyamatusi Mahogany

ZimbabweMana Pools National Park
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Victoria Falls River Lodge

ZimbabweVictoria Falls
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The Cabanas

KenyaKenya Coast
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Sosian Lodge

KenyaLaikipia
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Haile Resort, Arba Minch

EthiopiaArba Minch
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The Palace of the Lost City

South AfricaSun City
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Laragai House

KenyaLaikipia
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The Turbine

South AfricaGarden Route
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The Views Boutique

South AfricaGarden Route
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Wildwaters Lodge

Uganda
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Msambweni Beach House

KenyaKenya Coast
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Baraza Resort

TanzaniaZanzibar
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White Sands Villas

TanzaniaZanzibar
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Mnemba Island Lodge

TanzaniaZanzibar
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Sirai Beach

KenyaKenya Coast
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Peponi Hotel

KenyaKenya Coast
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Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach

KenyaKenya Coast
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Alfajiri villas

KenyaKenya Coast
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