House Boat Safari on the Chobe River

This type of Safari experience offers a different perpsective to wildlife game viewing.

The causual intimate atmosphere,being in nature on Safari all day long, as you can view game as you slowly drift the river, from your en suite bedroom windows, being able to get up early to watch the sunrise over the river, atching it set as you are moored in the river, nature all around you, adds a different dimension to your Safari experience.

Chobe Safari house boat 

The majestic Chobe Safari boat is a newly built, state of the art  safari boat operating on both the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

At 18 meters long and boasting four twin en-suite cabins for guest use – all decorated in tasteful African style – this unique boat offers the guest comfort, space and versatility.

Geography:

 At the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers lies Impalila Island, which is also the peculiar meeting place of four African countries, namely: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This phenomenon is the only one of its kind in the world and it is within this unique geographic area that The Chobe Houseboat Safari operates.

You can game view  from your room on the Chobe  Houseboat  Safari

The nearest town is Kasane in Northern Botswana, a mere 80km upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls which can be reached by road in 90 minutes The narrow strip between the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers is known as the Caprivi Strip. The Chobe Houseboat Safari is able to cruise along both the Chobe as well as the Zambezi Rivers.

The graceful Chobe River divides Namibia and Botswana and is characterized by abundant wildlife both within the river itself and on its’ banks. On the Botswana side of the Chobe River is the famous Chobe National Park, teeming with game that come down to drink from the waters below. In this area guests can expect to see elephant, hippopotami, crocodile, buffalo, giraffe and numerous antelope. Prior to their confluence, the tranquil Kasai Channel connects the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

The Ichobezi is able to navigate this channel, which will enable guests to enjoy the magnificent scenery that this swampland has to offer. Apart from the lush vegetation and unsurpassed bird spotting potential, the waters are also renowned for good fishing in peaceful surroundings. The northern section of the Kasai Channel opens out into the mighty Zambezi River, which divides Zambia to the north from Namibia to the South.

Game view  from your room..the  lazy persons  guide to  game viewing.

 

Entertainment Deck

The elevated entertainment deck provides the guest with open dining, socializing and game viewing space. Scrumptious brunches and dinners are served in a relaxed atmosphere on this level.

The kitchen and bar area at the rear of the vessel open out onto spacious dining and lounge areas that are normally open and look onto the water, but can be closed off in the event of bad weather.

At the front of the entertainment deck guests can enjoy elevated views of the surrounds while bathing at the plunge pool. This area is also equipped with a CD player for audio requirements as well as a telescope for stargazing.  A staircase links the entertainment deck to the upper helm station.

Accommodation:

 Guests board The Ichobezi onto the accommodation deck that comprises six bedrooms, two of which are reserved for your crew. Each spacious double guest bedroom can be configured either as twin or double and has en-suite bathroom facilities and sliding windows opening onto the water.

In order to prevent mosquitoes from entering the rooms, a transparent mosquito screen spans each window.

Electricity (220V and 12V) is supplied to each bedroom, ensuring the functionality of all electric shavers, dryers and lights.

Spacious cupboards with shelves and hanging space are provided in each bedroom.

Your view for your meals on your Chobe houseboat safari

 

 Cuisine and RefreshmentsOur onboard chef, Given, will be sure to delight you with his mouthwatering cuisine. After the early morning activities of game viewing or fishing, a brunch is served on the upper deck in a relaxed atmosphere. A three course dinner is served in the evening amidst the sounds of Africa, and would typically consist of either fish, beef or chicken as a main course. Special dietary requirements can be met, provided that the request is supplied to us at least two weeks in advance. If guests so choose, a braai (barbeque) can be arranged under the stars on the entertainment deck. The bar is fully stocked with South African and Namibian wines and beers, as well as a large selection of spirits and liqueurs. Please be sure to advise us at least two weeks in advance of your cruise of any specific drink that you would like stocked on The houseboat  safari. Bottled water and soft drinks are also readily available. Game Viewing

Game viewing by boat into the Chobe National Park is a remarkable experience – where huge herds of elephants come down to drink together with an extensive array of other game such as buffalo, giraffe, leopard, lion, kudu, waterbuck, puku, lechwe, impala and baboons.

The evening boat trip provides the guest with the unforgettable experience of witnessing a true African sunset, while being surrounded by herds of elephant and sipping on a cold sundowner.

Fishing Our excellent guides are internationally known for their success in landing Tigerfish, especially when fly-fishing. For the novice fisherman, landing a Tiger is an accomplishment to aspire to and will undoubtedly provide memorable stories for years to come.

Other species of fish which may be landed include Tilapia, Largemouth bream, Catfish and Squeakers. The Ichobezi has fishing access to over 30 km of Chobe River, over 120 km of Zambezi River and many kilometers of waterways in the Kasai and Indibe wetlands. Each of these areas offers a different fishing experience.

Guests have access to a series of good quality boats all with large motors, including a jet boat for the rapids and rocky areas. The major fishing attraction is Tigerfish. These legendary fighters are equipped with an extraordinarily large tail and a specialized bone structure, allowing them to accelerate like a rocket and hit your bait like no other fish of equal size. Their teeth are formidable and they prey on other fish up to 40% of their own weight. They grow up to 16 lbs but even 4 lbs specimens fight like champions.

 

 

 

 

Tiger are essentially a summer fish being more active in the warmer water, so the traditional season is September through to February when the rivers are low and clear. We do however have a short window period in June when the water is coming off the flood plains and the Tiger are feeding well. We do catch a range of bream (Yellow bellied, Thin face, Hump back) both with conventional tackle and on fly – they measure up to 3 kgs and, being predatory fish, give a good account of themselves. We also target Barbel (catfish), which measure up to 15 kgs. We do fish from the banks and rocks in the rapids but are always careful about the potential hazard of crocodiles. When guests arrive they are allocated a guide and boat and then free to do whatever fishing they would like for the duration of their stay aboard The Ichobezi.

Bird watching Bird watching is a year round pleasure with over 400-recorded species and a combination of water birds and woodland birds on the island.  It is an excellent place to see all the summer migrants from September through to March.

There is a wide variety of habitats covered by the vessels and all guides are competent birders.
Excursions by Mekoro Mekoros (dugout canoes) can drift into the small islands, which exist in the Chobe River and form part of the rapid system. The experienced polers are also knowledgeable in all the various bird species to be found during the trip. This activity is influenced by river conditions Guided walks Walks can be arranged on Impalila Island and on the Namibian mainland. These are very interesting as there is a varied ecology and the villages offer an insight into traditional African life. From the top of an ancient Baobab tree on Impalila Island one can view the meeting place of the four countries

– Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana –

Sunset Cruises Ask the crew to pack a cooler for you before departing by tenderboat to experience the splendour of an African sunset.

The territory here is characterized by faster flowing water and grassy vegetation along the banks. Magnificent panoramic views from The Chobe houseboat  safari  will ensure prime viewing of the landscape as well as sunrises and sunsets. The waters here are world   famous for Tiger and Bream fishing. The The Chobe houseboat  safari is capable of cruising 120km up the Zambezi River and is able to reach Katima Mulilo in Namibia for guest arrivals or transfers.

Daytime temperatures in the region range between 28-35 degrees Celsius in summer and 23-28 degrees Celsius in winter. Evening temperatures vary and can be cool in winter. Rainfall is mainly between February and April. Please note that Malaria does occur in the area and that preventative medication is advised.

The Chobe houseboat  safari guests are collected by boat from the Kasane immigration office in Botswana for the short trip across the river.

Kasane is readily accessible by road from both South Africa and Namibia and in addition there are now frequent flights from Johannesburg to Kasane. Transfers between Kasane airport and the Kasane immigration office can be arranged. Regular passenger transfer vehicles operate between Victoria Falls and Kasane, and we are therefore able to arrange daytrips to the world famous Victoria Falls.

Private charters also regularly fly directly onto Impalila Island from Victoria Falls and elsewhere, where there is an excellent 1400-meter all weather gravel airstrip. The co-ordinates of the airstrip on Impalila Island are S17° 46′ 48” E025° 11′ 23”.

The reference is FBKE (Kasane 031 3.6nm). From Livingstone on the Zambian side, clients can arrange to be fetched by The Ichobezi at the Kazangula Ferry. Regular passenger transfers operate between Livingstone and Kazangula.

Guests may also embark and disembark The Chobe houseboat  safari at Katima Mulilo in Namibia, subject to a minimum of six guests boarding the boat.

Our rates inlcude:
–          Accommodation –          Tea and coffee served with muffins and biscuits-          Full buffet brunch-          Full three course plated dinner-          Local beers and wines-          Soft drinks and water-          Game viewing-          Fishing-          Private guides-          Equipment hire (fishing rods etc.)-          Fuel –          Park fees-          All water based transfers