An African river adventure with a difference, the Pangolin Voyager is a superb way of seeing the amazingly varied wildlife, where Botswana and Namibia meet in the Chobe National Park. The comfortable houseboat is moored at various quiet points along the river bank and guests explore the river in smaller tender boats, choosing whether to go tiger-fishing, bird-watching, or enjoy a sunset cruise to watch elephants and hippos as they congregate on the river banks. Each cabin has its own personal guide and tender boat, so flexibility and independence is guaranteed and land-based walking and cultural tours can also be arranged.
There are now 2 brand new ‘Photo Boats’ that have been specially designed with centre poles holding the roof to enable unrestricted game viewing.
Each boat seats a maximum of 4 passengers and has 1 guide. The seats have a tripod mount with a Gimbal head which have been designed by Gimpro. The seats will rotate 360 degree’s giving you unrestricted game viewing and photographic opportunities.
There are just five very comfortable cabins on the houseboat lower deck, each with an ensuite bathroom. Beautifully and simply fitted out with built in closets and furnishings in solid African rosewood with brass fittings, the decor reflects a touch of old-world elegance. Deep, custom-made mattresses are made up in Egyptian cotton linen for a good night’s sleep cooled by a fan and with screens on the windows to keep insects away. The middle deck of the boat has sliding doors on three sides to open to the breeze and the sights of the river, with button back leather sofas and chairs, a big communal dining table and an open air unheated Jacuzzi at the end, perfect for whiling away summer afternoons in between activities.
A snack breakfast is served before guests head out to catch the early morning light on the river, the best time for viewing wildlife and birds and for fishing too. A generous brunch awaits guests back at the houseboat, as they exchange stories of the morning. High tea precedes the next round of activities and then the day ends with a leisurely dinner after sunset, which might be followed by star-gazing from the open air top deck, as the river flows and ripples below. The Pangolin Voyager may remain moored on Impalila Island or move along the river depending on the season. Not to be missed is the annual September voyage up the Zambezi River to the Carmine breeding colonies, a birder’s and photographer’s dream voyage.
