A houseboat holiday on the Okavango is the stuff that dreams are made of. You don't have to be an angler to enjoy it, or even a wildlife enthusiast. As we all know, there is something about calm blue water that is conducive to serenity in the human soul. Well, imagine such serenity in the most idyllic setting in Africa- with tall palm trees and gently waving papyrus reeds forming an emerald green backdrop to crystal waters that mirror the clear blue sky. Tiny grassy islands floats on their own reflections, and water lilies sway among green lily pads on ponds so clear you can see the sandy bottom ten feet below. That you are floating on this water, in opulent comfort, free to leisurely cruise where you will, enhances the magic. The hushed silence, save for the call of the wild, makes it all more peaceful, and yes, you do indeed hear the plaintive cry of the fish eagles- and see them in trees along the riverbanks as you glide by. And, of course, the knowledge that you truly are in deepest Africa, in one of the last primordial paradises on earth, freely roamed by all manner of exciting wild animals, makes the experience utterly compelling. Everyone who has the means should do this at least once in their lives.