Forget five-star hotel suites. These days, the most sought-after stays are adrift. Houseboats offer a new kind of luxury—solitude, scenery, and the soft lull of water beneath your feet.
Whether you’re floating through African wilderness or gliding along a canal in Europe, these offbeat escapes let you sleep on water and wake to a world that drifts by.
African houseboat escapes
Picture/Tehillah Houseboat, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe/Victoria Falls Guide
Lake Kariba – Zimbabwe/Zambia
One of Africa’s largest manmade lakes, Lake Kariba is famed for its glassy waters, fiery sunsets, and excellent wildlife sightings. Aboard a Kariba houseboat, you’re not just staying somewhere—you’re moving with the lake, docking near islands or shoreline game parks like Matusadona.
Fully crewed boats take care of everything: from meals and fishing gear to game-viewing excursions and sundowner cruises. Days are filled with spotting elephants at the water’s edge, watching fish eagles dive, or catching your own tigerfish for dinner. At night, the stars seem closer over the silent lake. Visit Kariba Houseboats for more information on how to book one for you and/or your loved ones.
Knysna Lagoon – South Africa
Picture/Knysna Houseboats via Tripadvisor
Along the Garden Route, the calm waters of the Knysna Lagoon offer one of the easiest and most scenic houseboat holidays in South Africa. Here, you can pilot your own compact houseboat—no boating license needed—and glide between marinas, oyster restaurants, and secluded spots between the Heads.
These boats are compact but cleverly kitted out with sleeping space, a small galley, and open decks perfect for sunset braais. Wake up with coffee in hand as mist rolls over the water, then hop into a kayak or explore Knysna Forest trails on land. Visit Knysna Houseboats to find out how you can also experience one of the houseboats.
Okavango Delta – Botswana
Okavango Spirit houseboat/Safari Frank
For the adventurous traveller, the idea of drifting through the Okavango’s labyrinth of floodplains is a bucket-list experience. While houseboats aren’t common in the Delta, some luxury riverboats and floating camps on the fringes offer an exclusive way to experience this UNESCO-listed wilderness.
Imagine waking to the call of a fish eagle, then heading out on a mokoro (dugout canoe) as elephants wade nearby. These hybrid stays blend safari comforts with river-based exploration—ideal for those looking to experience Botswana’s wetlands without compromising on comfort.
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Europe’s floating stays
Picture/Houseboat on the Amstel river via Airbnb
Amsterdam – Netherlands
In the heart of one of Europe’s most charming cities, hundreds of houseboats line Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Once home to artists and bohemians, these floating homes have been reimagined as quirky yet comfortable urban escapes.
Wake to the sound of bicycles clinking past and the sight of canal boats drifting by your window. Many have decks for morning coffee or wine at dusk, and you’re never far from galleries, cheese shops, or a stroopwafel stand. It’s Amsterdam—just gently bobbing.
Kerala Backwaters – India
Picture/Cruiseland Houseboats
In India’s southern state of Kerala, traditional kettuvallam houseboats—made from woven bamboo and wood—glide along the palm-fringed backwaters. These slow-moving vessels come with crew, traditional Kerala meals, and the chance to watch life unfold along the canals: women washing clothes, fishermen casting nets, and children paddling past on narrow boats.
It’s not just a stay—it’s a moving window into local culture. Watch the world change by the hour, from golden afternoons to lantern-lit evenings. Choose one of the quieter backwater regions, like Alleppey or Kumarakom, for a less touristy, more tranquil experience.
Off-the-beaten-track floating escapes
Houseboat in Mikkeli, Finland via Airbnb
Saimaa Lake Region – Finland
In Finland’s largest lake district, floating cabins offer silence, scenery, and the sweet ritual of sauna. Some are tethered to small pontoons; others drift gently in secluded coves. These boats are ideal for independent travellers and couples craving solitude.
The aim is to do nothing or take it slow, like reading in a hammock, grilling freshly caught fish, and jumping into cold water between sauna rounds. During summer, enjoy the midnight sun; in late autumn, you might even glimpse the northern lights.
Murray River – Australia
Picture/Oz Houseboats
One of Australia’s longest rivers is also one of its best-kept travel secrets. The Murray River winds through wine country, eucalyptus forests, and red earth escarpments—and the best way to explore it is from the deck of a houseboat.
These boats range from simple to extravagant (think rooftop jacuzzis and cinemas). You can moor at vineyards, kayak through river bends, or spot koalas and kangaroos along the banks. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure with your houseboat as your home base.
Tips for planning a houseboat holiday
- Do you need a license? Many houseboat rentals—particularly in places like Knysna, Kariba, or the Murray—offer a briefing instead of requiring a license. It’s easier than it looks!
- Season matters. Plan around flood seasons or winter closures. The Okavango is best between May and September; Kerala is ideal post-monsoon, around November to February.
- What to pack: Non-slip shoes, insect repellent, layers for changing weather, and enough reading material for a tech-light holiday.
- Go eco-friendly: Choose solar-powered or low-waste boats, and be mindful of local marine life. Many operators are moving toward more sustainable tourism models.
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