The Zambezi Queen - Chobe River - (6 )
(Botswana / Namibia)

THE ZAMBEZI QUEEN - WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

Location:

The Zambezi Queen operates on the Chobe River, situated between Namibia and Botswana. The boat is based on the banks of the Caprivi Strip and is only a few kilometers from the place where uniquely, four countries meet, namely Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

The Zambezi Queen cruises on the banks of the magnificent Chobe National Park with its teeming wildlife and approximately 120 000 elephants and over 400 species of birds. The boat is also only 70km by road from one of the great wonders of the world, namely the Victoria Falls.

 The Zambezi Queen - Chobe River (Botswana / Namibia)

The Zambezi Queen is conveniently located about 80km from both Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone Zambia and 3km from Kasane International Airport all of which have international airports and operate regular scheduled flights out of Johannesburg, with Kasane been ideally suited to charter flights.

Transfers from airport to the boat are by road and takes approximately 90 minutes. Road transfer guests will be collected from immigration situated on the banks of the river at Kasane in Botswana for the 10 minute boat transfer to our docking station.

Access to the Zambezi Queen on the Namibian side is made possible by a 30 minute charter flight from Victoria Falls to Impalila Island followed by a 10 minute boat ride aboard one of our tender boats.

Accommodation:

The first and second levels of the boat incorporate 14 cabins - all of which have their own private balconies and have been tastefully furnished with either a double or two single beds.

Of the 14 suites, 4 are master suites, some with their own private outdoor areas. These master suites are all larger than the 10 standard suites. Because of the limitations regarding power, remaining suites have not been fitted with air conditioning units.

However, each private space has been designed with the African summer in mind, and clever use of shutters situated on the outer edge of the deck and ceiling fans ensures a cool experience even during times of the year when external temperatures soar. Uniquely, the entire boat including the top deck, living and dining area, has mosquito screening.

Facilities:

The top deck consists of the dining room, the lounge including a wood burning fireplace, a bar and a sunbathing area complete with private pool.

The interior furnishings have been designed by one of South Africa’s top designers and this can be seen by the elegant, timeless look that has been created. Also to be found in the living area is a library of books, numerous games and a telescope for studying the stars at night.

When looking at the design it is apparent that no expense has been spared in creating a house boat of a world class standard, and this is especially so, when one considers this boat was built on the banks of the Chobe River.

Dining Room:

Situated on the 3rd level with unobstructed views on three sides, our guests will dine in absolute opulence whilst taking in the unique African surrounds.

In order to create a menu that reflects the flavors of Africa, we have commissioned Pete Goff-Wood, self-styled food alchemist and one of South Africa's top chefs. He has long been involved in all things pertaining to the African palate and has huge experience in authentic cuisine.

All sous chefs and waiters have been specially trained at his Cape Town-based training centre. The bar contains both local and imported spirits, wine and beers.

Game Viewing / Activities:

From Boat:

Water-based game viewing on smaller boats which enables close-up viewing in an environment where the animals do not feel threatened
Tiger and bream fishing in season
Bird watching from smaller boats
 
Surrounding Area:

Land-based half day 4x4 game viewing in Botswana's Chobe National Park (Zambezi Queen has its own guides, all of whom are groomed by Garth Thompson, world-renowned expert in the field of guiding in Africa)
Land-based cultural tour of a local village.

A light aircraft situated a 10 min drive from the base camp allows guests aerial game viewing, or to use it as a transfer shuttle to Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta. The above is at an additional cost

 2 Night Itinerary:

Day 1

  • 3.00pm - 4.00pm - Collection Kasane immigration Botswana
    (Note: Border closes at 4:30pm)
  • 4.00pm - 5.30pm - Game viewing cruise and transfer to Zambezi Queen
  • 7.00pm - Welcome and Briefing
  • 8.00pm - Dinner on board Zambezi Queen
Day 2
  • 6.00am - Wake up call
  • 6.45am - Breakfast
  • 7.15am - Departure for either half day game drive or game viewing from boat
  • 10.00am - Game viewing boat returns to Zambezi Queen
  • 11.30am - Land based 4x4 game viewing returns
  • 12.00pm - Zambezi Queen leaves for cruise down Chobe River
  • 12.30pm - Lunch
  • 3.00pm - Zambezi Queen arrives for overnight stay
  • 4.00pm - Depart for water based game viewing or cultural village tour by mokoro (African canoe)
  • 6.00pm - Return from activities
  • 8.00pm - Dinner on shore in Boma (outdoor African enclosure) with traditional food and music.
Day 3
  • 6.00am - Zambezi Queen leaves for home base
  • 7.00am - Breakfast
  • 8.30am - Zambezi Queen arrives at home base
  • 10.00am - Depart for Kasane Immigration

 3 Night Itinerary:

Day 1

  • 3.00pm - 4.00pm - Collection Kasane immigration Botswana (Note: Border closes at 4:30pm)
  • 4.00pm - 5.30pm - Game viewing cruise and transfer to Zambezi Queen
  • 7.00pm - Welcome and Briefing
  • 8.00pm - Dinner on board Zambezi Queen
Day 2
  • 6.00am - Wake up call
  • 6.45am - Breakfast
  • 7.15am - Departure for either half day game drive or game viewing from boat
  • 10.00am - Game viewing boat returns to Zambezi Queen
  • 11.30am - Land based 4x4 game viewing returns
  • 12.00pm - Zambezi Queen leaves for cruise down Chobe River
  • 12.30pm - Lunch
  • 3.00pm - Zambezi Queen arrives for overnight stay
  • 4.00pm - Depart for water based game viewing or cultural village tour by mokoro (African canoe)
  • 6.00pm - Return from activities
  • 8.00pm - Dinner on shore in Boma (outdoor African enclosure) with traditional food and music
Day 3
  • 8.00am - Breakfast
  • 9.00am - Choice of fishing, game viewing by boat or cultural village tour by mokoro
  • 12.00pm - Return to Zambezi Queen
  • 1.00pm - Lunch and cruise to overnight base
  • 2.00pm - Clients have choice of whichever activity they have not yet had opportunity to enjoy
  • 5.00pm - Return to Zambezi Queen for sundowners
  • 8.00pm - Dinner on board
Day 4
  • 6.00am - Zambezi Queen leaves for home base
  • 7.00am - Breakfast
  • 8.30am - Zambezi Queen arrives at home base
  • 10.00am - Depart for Kasane Immigration
 Sefofane Airlines Botswana
   

 DEPARTURE DATES: 2010

 

2 DAY CRUISE

3 DAY CRUISE
 APRIL 5 - 7 - 12 - 14 - 19 - 21 - 26 - 28 2 - 9 - 16 - 23 - 30
 MAY 3 - 5 - 10 - 12 - 17 - 19 - 24 - 26 - 31 7 - 14 - 21 - 28
 JUNE 2 - 7 - 9 - 14 - 16 - 21 - 23 - 28 - 30 4 - 11 - 18 - 25
 JULY 5 - 7 - 12 - 14 - 19 - 21 - 26 - 28 2 - 9 - 16 - 23 - 30
 AUGUST 2 - 4 - 9 - 11 - 16 - 18 - 23 - 25 - 30 6 - 13 - 20 - 27
 SEPTEMBER 1 - 6 - 8 - 13 - 15 - 20 - 22 - 27 - 29 3 - 10 - 17 - 24
 OCTOBER 4 - 6 - 11 - 13 - 18 - 20 - 25 - 27 1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29
 NOVEMBER 1 - 3 - 8 - 10 - 15 - 17 - 22 - 24 - 29 5 - 12 - 19 - 26
 DECEMBER 1 - 6 - 8 - 13 - 15 - 20 - 22 - 27 10 - 17 - 24 - 29

 

 FOR A 2 NIGHT ITINERARY

 (All rates are quoted in South African Rands (ZAR) and subject to change without prior notice)

 Rates:

 HIGH SEASON GREEN SEASON HIGH SEASON
14.08.09 - 30.11.09 01.12.09 - 30.04.10 01.05.10 - 30.11.10

 Suites x 10

 Per person sharing R7 500 (2 nights) R6 000 (2 nights) R8 250 (2 nights)
Single rate R11 200 (2 nights) R9 000 (2 nights) R12 320 (2 nights)

 Master
 Suites x 4

 Per person sharing R10 000 (2 nights) R8 000 (2 nights) R11 000 (2 nights)
Single rate R15 000 (2 nights) R12 000 (2 nights) R16 500 (2 nights)

 FOR A 3 NIGHT ITINERARY

 (All rates are quoted in South African Rands (ZAR) and subject to change without prior notice)

 Rates:

 HIGH SEASON GREEN SEASON HIGH SEASON
14.08.09 - 30.11.09 01.12.09 - 30.04.10 01.05.10 - 30.11.10
 Suites x 10 Per person sharing R11 250 (3 nights) R9 000 (3 nights) R12 375 (3 nights)
Single rate R16 800 (3 nights) R13 500 (3 nights) R18 480 (3 nights)
 Master
 Suites x 4		 Per person sharing R15 000 (3 nights) R12 000 (3 nights) R16 500 (3 nights)
Single rate R22 500 (3 nights) R18 000 (3 nights) R24 750 (3 nights)

TRANSFERS
Road transfer guests will be collected from Kasane Immigration, Botswana for the 10 minute boat transfer to the Zambezi Queen Jetty in Namibia. Costs for other transfers are as follow:
Kasane to Vic Falls

R500 pp Min 2 Persons
 Kasane to VF Airport R600 pp Min 2 Persons
 Kasane to Livingstone R750 pp Min 2 Persons
Kasane to Livingstone Airport R750 pp Min 2 Persons

CHILDREN:

  • Children 7 years and older accompanied by an adult are welcome

  • A Child under 16 years of age will be charged 50% of the single rate; when accommodated on a sleeper couch in a standard suite.

  • Please note that only 4 suites have sleeper couch facilities.

  • Children under 16 years of age will receive a 20% discount off the regular rate when occupying a standard bed.

  • Children 16 years and older are subject to adult fares.

RATES INCLUDE:

  • Collection from Botswana immigration at Kasane on the banks of Chobe River, Impalila airstrip in Namibia or Kasane airport in Botswana

  • Accommodation and all meals

  • All soft drinks, mineral water, teas and coffee

  • Quality wines and beers with meals and during game viewing activities

  • Water-based game viewing and bird watching on tender boats

  • A land-based cultural tour of a local village

  • A land-based half- day 4x4 game viewing in Botswana's Chobe National Park

  • Tiger & bream fishing in season

RATES EXCLUDE:

  • Alcoholic beverages (other than wine and beer at meal times and during game viewing activities)

  • Additional transfers

  • Private guiding or additional safari activities

  • Visa Fees

  • Gratuities

ARRIVAL TIMES & CRUISE ITINERARY:

  • Check- in time is between 15h00 and 16h00 and check-out time is at 10h00 at completion of cruise

  • On day one, guests travelling by road to Kasane, Botswana, are requested to arrive at Kasane immigration at no later than 15h30 as the border closes at 16h30

  • We will try to accommodate reasonable requests for an early check-in or late departure but this cannot be guaranteed

  • Guests can only arrive on scheduled sailing dates.

  • The cruise consists of a continuous 2 night or 3 night program on the Zambezi Queen (please note these dates will change over the Christmas and New Year 2009 period where only 3 day trips will run; please view our website or contact our office for further details)

  • The boat will be moored at three different locations along the Chobe River on the Namibian side. The first night is spent on the banks of the Chobe River close to where you clear customs, the 2nd night about 20km away on the banks of the river near a cultural village, and for guests on the 3 night cruise, the boat will stop at another point on the banks of the river. The boat motors back early on the last morning of each trip.

  • All accommodation is onboard the Zambezi Queen.

  • Departure from the boat at the end of the cruise is at 10h00 - all passengers will be transferred back to Kasane (Botswana) Immigration.

African Safari Consultants

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 (1-866-SEE-GAME)