Since water is a source of life, it is no wonder why civilisations are often founded by some of the world’s greatest rivers. When you explore the longest, widest and deepest rivers in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what makes up the people of a certain nation.
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This is precisely the reason why one of the best ways to travel is via river cruises – whether it’s on board a huge luxury cruise ship or a wild river rafting ride.
Counting Down Some of the Greatest Rivers in the World
No matter where your travel interests lie, there is a certain sense of adventure that you will feel once you have the opportunity to explore a city or town, or an entire continent through one of the most prominent rivers in the area.
To give you an idea about the bounty of pleasures that await you, here are some of the greatest rivers in the world that you shouldn’t pass up on the opportunity of exploring:
Congo rivers
If you haven’t had that big African adventure yet, you can get a head start by venturing out to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. This is definitely not a river trip that should be taken by the faint of heart.
The Congo River serves as a drainage channel for the rainforests of the Congo Basin. It passes through the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve where you will find more than 32,000 species of trees. Keep in mind, however, that Congo is not that stable politically – although the river itself is virtually untouched by civilization. When exploring the Congo River, make sure to choose your guide sensibly and brace yourself for an extraordinary African river adventure.
River Danube
Perhaps one of the most romantic rivers in the world, the Danube passes through Germany, Austria and Hungary. The beauty of the river has inspired poets and artists from different generations, which is why it is dubbed as the Classical River within the region.
So what are you supposed to expect when you go on a river cruise by the Danube? Prep yourself up to see fairy-tale castles, Roman ruins, ancient monasteries, fortresses, vineyards and a breathtaking natural scenery.
The Amazon River
No list of the world’s greatest rivers will ever be complete without including the Amazon River. Flowing through Peru and Brazil, the Amazon River is the largest in the world. It is also home of some of the most ecologically diverse rainforests where you are bound to see endangered wildlife and seemingly out-of-this-world species.
Geographically, a cruise down the Amazon River is probably one of the most diverse that you can take because you can choose to go on a trip downstream where you will stop by a lovely Brazilian port town. Or, you can marvel at the beauty of nature as you explore the black Rio Negro River which is still part of the region.
The Ganges River
Those who wish to explore an entirely different world should definitely head out to India and take a cruise down the Ganges River. The Ganges is the largest and holiest river in the Indian subcontinent. On a yearly basis, people flock to these rivers to bathe in the holy waters and cleanse their souls of sin.
The Nile River
A cruise through the Nile River means trekking through Egypt and Africa. This legendary river is the longest in the world and has become a virtual lifeblood for all of Egypt. One of the most popular cruises that you can take via the Nile River is downstream to Luxor, the city of palaces.
The Yangtze River
Another great river in Asia is China‘s Yangtze River, which is a major hub in the local transportation scene in this huge country. Some of the most breathtaking sceneries that you might stumble upon as you cruise the Yangtze River are the Three Gorges, the ghost town of Fengdu with its terra-cotta armies, and many other natural wonders.