Nguni Zambezi Voyager Luxury Safari Boat Namibia

Nguni Voyager is a luxuriously appointed river voyager comprising 5 spacious en-suite cabins, (shower, basin, and toilet), all with their own private tender boat and guide. Accommodation is located on the bottom deck.
Middle deck consists of 2 private lounges with a small reference library, communal dining area, open galley (kitchen), Captains Bridge, viewing deck and relaxing Jacuzzi with seating area alongside.
Top deck or the viewing deck has seating area to leisurely sip sundowners, catch up on some supreme birding, or stretch out in the sun on one of the sun loungers. In the evenings this top viewing deck becomes prime position to familiarise ones self with the African stars.

The Nguni Voyager is houseboat on the Chobe River, close to the town of Kasane in north eastern Botswana. We can accommodate maximum of 10 passengers in 5 luxurious cabins. Each cabin has a private en-suite bathroom with shower. What makes the Nguni Voyager so unique is that each cabin is allocated its own private tender boat and guide, so guests can decide on their individual activities for the day. All activities are water based from the tender boats and include game viewing and photographic opportunities, bird watching, fishing, tiger fishing, walking, cultural visits or leisurely cruising down the river watching spectacular sunsets and star gazing under the crystal clear night skies.

Nguni's activity base offers the following:

* Water based game viewing from the main vessel and private tenders while moored in Chobe National Park. Sightings of 2 of the big 5 are almost guaranteed on a daily basis in the form of Elephant and Buffalo while Cats are often spotted leisurely lapping up water or just taking a stroll on the waters edge. Not being restricted to having to leave the park after sunset to head back to a lodge, Nguni's clients are afforded the opportunity to allow Africa to lull them to sleep with her lullaby while on the waters of Chobe.

* Birding: Nguni's area of operation boasts home to over 500 species of birds found in the following varied habitats: the floodplains (water birds), woodlands savannah, riverine forest & mopani woodlands. Birding is conducted either directly off the main vessel, or by small tender boats or by foot on the surrounding floodplains and woodland/forest areas.

* Cultural village visits: Nguni has formed warm relationships with many of the Namibian villages who are welcoming to all clients. On a typical village visit clients are shown around and introduced to the various village life elements by one of the headmen and are encouraged to ask any questions they may have. After the tour through the village, the locals then put on a small dance and encourage the guests to join them. Small beaded necklaces and other curios are for sale afterwards. A truly warm Caprivian village experience.

* Fishing: Nguni operates on the Chobe & the Upper Zambezi rivers which are not only well know for their prolific game & birding experience, but also house a couple of surprises beneath the waters surface in the form of Tiger fish, Bream & Barbel. Nguni’s captain is a professional fly fisherman and all of our guides are local experts on how to land the big one. Nguni's prime fly fishing season opens in May and continues on through until August. During this season the river has dropped after its flood and the fish are hungry. Any fly fisherman's dream. During the months of November through to February fishing methods range from spinning, trolling and fly fishing for the more experienced fisherman.

* Sundowners: After a day out on the river, clients can either return to toast Africa on the viewing deck, accompanied by some sumptuous snacks prepared by our onboard Chef's, or head out onto a private tender boat with their guide and snap up some African sunset shots while drifting leisurely along the water.

Directions

Nguni is located and moves between the rivers of the Chobe & the Upper Zambezi within North Eastern Botswana (Caprivi Strip). The collection point by tender boat is from Kasane Immigration where clients check out of Botswana and are then taken to Impalila Island where they check into Namibia for the duration of their stay on board Nguni.

Access & attractions

There are daily incoming and outgoing flights from Johannesburg (South Africa) to either Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Livingstone (Zambia) or Kasane (Botswana). For direct, private and commercial charters, hosts suggest flying into Kasane Airport.

Organised road transfers from these points can be arranged to take you to the companies representative where you will begin your beautiful river voyage to Nguni.

Immigration formalities are taken care of, by the transfer representatives.

Cuisine

Nguni pays special attention to the culinary delights served. A professional chef has developed the menus and they change as the seasons do.

COUNTRY & AREA
Caprivi Strip – Namibia
Kasane – North Eastern Botswana
Chobe and Upper Zambezi Rivers

TRIP DURATION
Tailor made to suit clients’ needs. There is no set departure date as passengers are collected by tender boat from Kasane Immigration and taken to where the houseboat is moored.

FACILITIES

ACCOMMODATION
ENTERTAINMENT DECKS

The middle deck comprises of the lounge, dining area, open air decks, galley (kitchen) and Captains Bridge.
The lounge area consists of two private lounges with a small reference library containing the latest bird, plant and fishing guides. This area affords panoramic views of the surroundings and unequalled game viewing opportunities.

The communal dining area is where all your sumptuous meals are served, and also a great place to hold meetings should this be required. Tea, coffee and refreshments are available from the bar throughout the day on this deck

The open air deck offers a choice of cooling off in the Jacuzzi or watching the African sunset whilst being serenaded by the night sounds.

Top deck or the viewing deck has a seating area to leisurely sip Sundowners or soak up the warm African sun on the sun loungers. Catch up on some supreme birding and game viewing. In the evenings, this top viewing deck becomes prime position to familiarise oneself with the spectacular African night sky.

CABINS – BOTTOM DECK

The 5 cabins are located on the bottom deck and are tastefully decorated with soft stone textures and handmade linen.

BED CONFIGURATION:
Double or twin bed arrangements.

Number of passengers on board at any given time : 10

BATHROOMS
The private en-suite bathroom comprises of a shower, basin and toilet.

MEALS, BEVERAGES & DRINKING WATER

Nguni pays special attention to the culinary delights served. A professional chef has developed the menus and they change as the seasons do. Without overstating this occasion imagine…

As Africa awakes and the sun starts filtering through, coffee/tea, home baked rusks are served with cereal, fruit and yoghurt before your early morning excursion. Spend a couple of hours cruising the waterways and building up your appetite. Return to an enormous Brunch with freshly baked muffins and a breakfast fit for a king. After breakfast you have a chance to relax, download your photographs and prepare yourself for afternoon tea. Thereafter another cruise, ending with sundowner drinks whilst watching the most spectacular sunsets as the day draws to a close. Dinner is a sit down occasion or social BBQ around Nguni’s tastefully laid table where a 3- course meal is served.

We are sensitive to everyone’s dietary needs, and would like to be advised in advance for specific dietary requirements.

DRINKING WATER
Drinking water is provided in the form of purified water which is also provided in the cabins at no added charge.

TEA &COFFEE
All teas and coffees are available throughout the day

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES & REFRESHMENTS

All refreshments &alcoholic beverages in the form of beers, wines and spirits are excluded from the price and can be purchased from the Nguni Voyager. Cash payment is required prior to your departure from the Nguni Voyager.

POWER
The cabins are supplied with 12v and 220v electricity power to charge camera batteries, laptops or mobile phones, etc 24 hours a day.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Mobile phone signal on the Nguni Voyager varies and there are no internet facilities available.

Depending on the location of the Nguni Voyager at the time of your trip, there may be local telecommunications networks within signal range. Please inquire closer to your trip. Please be aware of international roaming charges.

FISHING

OVERVIEW
Nguni operates on the Chobe & the Upper Zambezi rivers which are not only well known for their prolific game and birding experience, but also house a couple of surprises beneath the water’s surface in the form of Tiger fish, Bream & Barbel. The Tigerfish is the meanest African freshwater species and one of the most explosive freshwater game fish in the world. It has a reputation of being one of the hardest fighting and most difficult fish to boat. The Tigerfish, Bream and Catfish respond to fluctuations in water level throughout the year and follow systematic patterns of movement every season. These patterns help predict and pinpoint the areas that fishing will be at its best at certain times of the year. Our guides are local experts on how to land the big one! Catch and release is actively practised.

The Tiger fish exists in a few of Africa’s fresh water rivers, the tiger fish found in the upper Zambezi grow to a maximum size of 12kg. The fish attaints a maximum length of around 80cm and then gets wider in girth. The fins are covered in orange and deep red with the exception of a predominant black leathery adipose fin, stripes that run along their body in black against their silvery torso. They have a torpedo shaped head and bony, toothy, jaw that is interlocking and extremely dangerous, handle with care. The driving force behind the fish is a strong V-shaped tail that propels them at great speeds through the river.

TARGET FISH SPECIES
• Tiger fish
• Nembwe
• Three spot Bream
• Thin Faced Large Mouth
• Sharptooth Catfish•

FISHING SEASONS
Nguni's prime fly fishing season opens in May and continues on through until August. The Zambezi River each year rises in November and it swells within its confines through to the middle of May. The benefits of fishing in a river where this happens annually are great. Depending on the rise, the floodplains will fill with between 2 and 8 feet of water. These floodplains then become the breeding ground of all species, replenishment occurs in all spectrums of the piscatorial chain as well as insect and flora life. In May as the flood waters start to recede, fingerlings are forced back into the main channel where the fish are waiting and hungry, any fly fisherman’s dream!

Fish can be caught all year round, however there are times through the year where the river changes greatly. The rivers at their highest have the largest quantity of bait fish and the fish are at their hungriest, but there is so much water at this time. The rivers at their lowest are the easiest to read as their sandy bottom creates furrows, drop offs and river bed undulations that are decisive elements in the where to catch fish.

During the months of November through to February fishing methods range from spinning, drift bait, trolling and fly fishing for the more experienced fisherman.

FISHING GEAR
The Nguni Voyager carries standard lure fishing equipment and basic fly equipment, but for avid fly-fishermen we suggest you bring your own equipment.

BOATS & GUIDES
Each cabin is assigned its own river guide and tender boat, allowing guests to explore the water wilderness at their leisure.

NON FISHING ACTIVITIES
GAME VIEWING

Water based game viewing from the main vessel and private tenders while based on the Chobe River in Chobe National Park. This area is one of the prime game viewing destinations in Africa. Sightings of two of the big five are almost guaranteed on a daily basis in the form of elephant and buffalo while big cats are often spotted leisurely lapping up water or just taking a stroll on the water’s edge. Crocodiles and hippo are always present. Not being restricted to having to leave the park before sunset to head back to a lodge, Nguni's clients are afforded the opportunity to allow Africa to lull them to sleep with her lullaby while on the waters of Chobe.

BIRDING

Nguni's area of operation boasts home to over 450 species of birds found in the following varied habitats: the floodplains (water birds), woodlands savannah, riverine forest & mopani woodlands. Birding is conducted either directly off the main vessel, from small tender boats or by foot on the surrounding floodplains and woodland/forest areas.

A bird list is available of 390 species that can be seen from the river, this excludes the species recorded in the surrounding areas that are unlikely to be seen from the boat. Being serenaded at night by the Swamp Nightjar and sightings of Rock Pratincole, African Skimmer, Luapula and Chirping Cisticolas, Slaty Egrets, Swamp Boubou, Coppery-tailed Coucal, White-backed Night Heron, Half-collared Kingfisher, Collared Palm Thrush,Pygmy Geese, Western Banded Snake Eagle make this trip a must for all birders. 14 species are noted as exceptional interest to birders and 31 species of unusual interest.

The migrant species arrive mid- November to March.

WALKING

The floodplain and wetland areas of the Zambezi and Chobe have a diverse ecological makeup. The opportunity to take guided walks is available over varying distances and within different habitats. The walking is comfortable as the terrain is reasonably flat and is not exclusively for the energetic. At Caprivi’s tip is an island called Impalila Island which has the accolade of being the only place in the world where 4 countries meet each other, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

CULTURAL VILLAGE VISIT

Nguni has formed warm relationships with many of the Namibian villages who are welcoming to all clients. On a typical village visit clients are shown around and introduced to the various village life elements by one of the headmen and are encouraged to ask any questions they may have. After the tour through the village, the locals then put on a small dance and encourage the guests to join them. Small beaded necklaces and other curios are for sale afterwards. A truly warm Caprivian village experience.

SPECIALITY TRIPS

Contact us for further details on specialised photographic or birding trips. These are set trips and can accommodate a maximum of 8 passengers. A professional photographer or well know birding host will be on board to assist your photographic needs.
SUNDOWNERS

After a day out on the river, clients can either return to toast Africa on the viewing deck, accompanied by some sumptuous snacks prepared by our on-board chefs, or head out onto a private tender boat with their guide and snap up some African sunset shots while drifting leisurely on the water.

HOW TO GET THERE

Nguni Voyager is moored on the Chobe River, close to the town of Kasane in north-eastern Botswana.

From January to early May the boat cruises the Chobe River, within the Chobe National Park, for unsurpassed game viewing. May to August can be spent on the Upper Zambezi for some of the best tiger fishing with fly to be had anywhere in Africa.
DEPARTURES

The Nguni Voyager staff will meet passengers at Kasane Immigration in Kasane town which is our departure point. Operating hours for Botswana immigration arefrom 07h00 until 16h30. It is imperative that passengers arrive timeously to ensure that immigration requirements can be met before the border closes. Passengers will then be taken to the tender boats, their luggage loaded and depart for Impalila Island in Namibia. At Impalila Island passengers will clear into Namibia at immigration for the duration of their stay on-board Nguni Voyager.

Secure parking can be arranged for self-drive passengers.

FLIGHTS

Nguni Voyager cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred due to flight delays or cancellations. Kasane Immigration is our departure point.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to ensure that their passport is valid and the correct visas for the country of travel are obtained, validated and clearly stamped. Please ensure your passport is valid for 6 months from the date of your return. Please consult the relevant embassies or your local travel specialist for all visa, travel and medical insurance requirements. We strongly recommend that passengers take out comprehensive travel and medical insurances to meet their requirements. Please note that one must always consult one’s doctor, or travel specialist for the latest information on travel inoculations required for each country you will be visiting.

TRANSFERS

Nguni Voyager is responsible for all the water- based transfers. All land based transfers from/to the airports are for the cost of the client and must be arranged in advance. For further information on booking transfers please contact our booking office.

GENERAL INFORMATION
TIME ZONE
GMT/UTC + 02:00

CURRENCY
Botswana Pula - Abbreviation: BWP
Namibian Dollar – One Namibian Dollar is equivalent to one South African Rand
South African Rand

CLIMATE

The dry season extends from April through to October. The hottest and driest month is October, just prior to the rainfall. This is the best time of the year on the Chobe for game viewing, as all the animals come down to the river to drink and bathe as the surrounding bush is dry and food resources for game animals are depleted.

Winter – May to August. Clear skies and sunny weather can virtually be guaranteed, however early morning and late afternoons when the sun sets may be cold. Daytime temperatures from 09h00 are mild and pleasant. You will need warm clothing such as a fleece and windbreaker especially on those early morning or late afternoon boat drives. A beanie/ gloves are also recommended. Small blankets are available for use on the tender boats.

Rain falls in Botswana from December through to March. Average daily temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius. Rainfall usually takes the form of a short afternoon shower with plenty of time to enjoy sunshine in between. Evenings remain warm but it is advisable to bring light, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers as protection against mosquitoes.

CHECKLIST

• Binoculars
• Hats / sunscreen
• Personal medication – including malaria prophylactics
• Books – bird books / fishing bookings/ reading books
• Notebook
• Photographic and/or video equipment
• Warm clothing for early mornings and late afternoons
• Light clothing for during the day
• Mosquito repellent

Rates include:

§ Accommodation in a double or twin room
§ All meals daily
§ Tea & Coffee
§ Non-alcoholic beverages, local beers and house wine

§ Guided activities
+ Water Based Game Viewing
+ Cultural Visits
+ Bird Cruises & Walks
+ Floodplain walks
+ Sunset Cruises
+ Stargazing
+ Fly fishing
+ Conventional fishing
+ Photographic Safari

§ Fishing, 20 litres fuel per person per day
§ Fishing Licenses
§ Namibian Tourism Levy
§ River transfers to and from the houseboat
§ Namibian vat 15%

Rates exclude:
§ Curio purchases
§ Road & air transfers
§ Imported beers, spirits & wines
§ Lost fishing tackle
§ Game drives by vehicle into Chobe National Park

Notes: Well in advance bookings are strongly recommended. Rates are subject to change without prior notice should tax be increased or Government levies introduced. Rates include Value Added Tax.

Contact & reservations:
E-mail: info@namibweb.com

Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.

Location map, Terms & conditions, Payment options and Cancellation policy

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