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bushbreaks home:: Botswana Chobe National Park
Zambezi Queen, Luxury African River Safari PDF Print E-mail

Zambezi Queen - a view on Chobe River
Zambezi Queen - a view on Chobe River
Zambezi Queen - bar
Zambezi Queen - Lounge
Zambezi Queen - pool
Zambezi Queen - Suite
Zambezi Queen - sunset on deck

Overview & Rates

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Fast Facts
Location Chobe, Botswana – This luxury houseboat cruises along the banks of the Chobe River and is uniquely situated only a few kilometers from the point where 4 countries meet, namely Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Malaria area Yes
Getting there Schedule flights Air Botswana Johannesburg – Kasane (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) subject to change
Complimentary road transfer Kasane Airport to the moorings (3 kms, approx 10 minutes)
Complimentary road transfer Kasane immigration to the moorings
Tender boat transfer , moorings on Chobe River to the Zambezi Queen
Road transfers from Livingstone or Victoria Falls Airport s to Zambezi Queen 90 minutes depending on border crossing (additional cost on request)
Visas & Passports Valid passports are required
Depending on passport, certain passport holders will require visas for entry into Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia
Total number of rooms 14 Suites in total
10 Luxury suites (2 of these suites have an extra sleeper couch suitable for 1 child)
4 Master suites
Type of accommodation Master Suites & Luxury Suites
Children under 12 years accepted? Yes - children of 7 years and older

Rates for SADC & Southern African Residents only
Rates for Overseas Residents on request
2012 2 NIGHT ITINERARY
Rate is per person sharing, for 2 nights
Departs Monday & Wednesday
Departure Suite Master Suite
January 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
R 5 145.00
R 6 685.00
February 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
R 5 145.00
R 6 685.00
March 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28
R 5 145.00
R 6 685.00
April 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
R 5 145.00
R 6 685.00
May 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
June 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
July 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
August 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
September 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
October 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
November 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28
R 6 895.00
R 8 750.00
December 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24*
R 5 600.00
R 7 000.00
* 4 night cruise - price TBA

2012 3 NIGHT ITINERARY
Rate is per person sharing, for 3 nights
Departs Friday
Departure Suite Master Suite
January 6, 13, 20, 27
R 7 718.00
R 10 028.00
February 3, 10, 17, 24
R 7 718.00 R 10 028.00
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
R 7 718.00 R 10 028.00
April 6, 13, 20, 27
R 7 718.00 R 10 028.00
May 4, 11, 18, 22
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
July 6, 13, 20, 27
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
September 7, 14, 21, 28
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
October 5, 12, 19, 26
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
R 10 343.00 R 13 125.00
December 7, 14, 21, 28**
R 8 400.00 R 10 850.00
* 5 night cruise - price TBA

  • Above rates are per person sharing on a double occupancy basis, for either 2 or 3 nights
  • All prices in South African Rands (ZAR)
  • Single supplement an additional 50% on the regular rate
  • Children aged 7 – 15 years (inclusive) receive a 20% discount off the applicable adult rate
  • Suites 24 and 26 (include a 3rd single bed) permit a child to share at a 50% discount off the adult sharing rate

SADC Terms & Conditions
  • Available Dates above are subject to change
  • Proof of SADC Residency required and this condition will be strictly enforced

Two night itinerary
Day 1
14:00 - 16:00 Collection Kasane immigration Botswana (Note: Border closes at 4:30pm)
16:00 - 17:30
Sunset cruise onboard the Zambezi Queen*
19:00 Welcome & Briefing
20:00 Dinner on board Zambezi Queen
22:00 Bar Closes
Day 2
06:00 Wake up call
06:45 Breakfast
07:15 Departure for half day game drive in Chobe National Park
11:30 Land based 4x4 game viewing returns
12:00 Zambezi Queen leaves for cruise down Chobe River
12:30 Lunch
15:00 Zambezi Queen arrives at second base*
16:00 Depart for water based game viewing or cultural village tour by Mokoro* (African canoe)
18:00 Return from activities
20:00 Dinner on board Zambezi Queen
22:00 Bar Closes
Day 3
06:00 Zambezi Queen leaves for home base
07:00 Breakfast
08:30 Zambezi Queen arrives at home base
10:00 Depart for Kasane Immigration

*Please note that sailing and Mokoro tours are subject to weather and water conditions

Three night itinerary
Day 1
15:00 - 16:00 Collection Kasane immigration Botswana (Note: Border closes at 4:30pm)
16:00 - 17:30 Sunset cruise onboard the Zambezi Queen*
19:00 Welcome & Briefing
20:00 Dinner on board Zambezi Queen
Day 2
06:00 Wake up call
06:45 Breakfast
07:15 Departure for either half day game drive or game viewing from boat
10:00 Game viewing boat returns to Zambezi Queen
11:30 Land based 4x4 game viewing returns
12:00 Zambezi Queen sails down Chobe River*
12:30 Lunch
15:00 Zambezi Queen arrives for overnight stay
16:00 Depart for water based game viewing or cultural village tour by mokoro* (African canoe)
18:00 Return from activities
20:00 Dinner onboard the Zambezi Queen
22:00 Bar Closes
Day 3
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Choice of fishing, game viewing by boat or cultural village tour by mokoro*
12:00 Return to Zambezi Queen
13:00 Lunch and sail to overnight base
14:00 Choice of fishing, game viewing by boat or cultural village tour by mokoro*
17:00 Return to Zambezi Queen for sundowners
20:00 Dinner on board the Zambezi Queen
Day 4
06:00 Zambezi Queen leaves for home base
07:00 Breakfast
08:30 Zambezi Queen arrives at home base
10:00 Depart for Kasane Immigration

*Please note that sailing and mokoro tours are subject to weather and water conditions

Rates include
  • Transfers to/ from Kasane Immigration and the boat
  • All meals
  • All soft drinks, mineral water, tea 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
  • Air tickets
  • 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
  • Curio Shop purchases

Children
  • Children under 7 are not permitted; children 16 years and older are considered adults
  • Children aged 7 – 15 years (inclusive) receive a 20% discount off the applicable adult rate
  • Suites 24 and 26 (include a 3rd single bed) permit a child to share at a 50% discount off the adult sharing rate

Arrival / Departure times
  • Check-in time is between 15h00 and 16h00 and check-out time is at 10h00 on the final day
  • NB – Kasane Immigration on the Chobe River closes at 16h30 and guests are advised to arrive no later than 16h00
  • Requests for an early check-in or late departure will be on request but cannot be guaranteed

General
  • Loud music is absolutely not permitted due to National Park requirements
  • Whilst it cannot be guaranteed, cell phone coverage in most areas is available
  • At the sole discretion of the captain, the routing or itinerary may be altered due to weather conditions or water levels which fluctuate depending on the time of year

Visas

It is the responsibility of the traveller to determine the nature of any travel documentation and visas required and to ensure that all his/her travel documentation, including but not limited to passports, any necessary visas and medical certificates have been obtained and are in order.

About the Zambezi Queen

About the Zambezi Queen

Experience the thrill of a unique African safari from the deck of your own private suite aboard a luxury 45 meter vessel based on the magnificent Chobe River which divides Botswana from Namibia. There can be few natural wonders as synonymous with Africa’s raw wilderness as this stretch of untamed waters. The Chobe River separates Botswana’s Chobe National Park from Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and it’s exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent.

Teeming with life, this National Park sprawls across some 11 000 km² of lush African bush, and is home to the largest populace of elephants in the world – currently estimated at about 120 000. Along with the elephants, prides of lion, massive herds of buffalo, the elusive leopard as well as numerous species of planes game and prolific bird life make this a nature lover’s paradise. Hippos and crocodiles in the waters below, as well as Africa’s ultimate freshwater game fish, the voracious fighting tiger fish, make this truly a unique place under the African sun.

It is on this great expanse of water that an adventure unlike any other awaits. Zambezi Queen operates in simply stated luxury, and is all about pampering, indulgence, and personalised comfort in the heart of Africa’s prime wilderness. Launching in July 2009, Zambezi Queen will offer 14 Suites of which 4 are rated Master Suites. All suites have private balconies and full length sliding shutters for both privacy and protection from the sun, sliding mosquito net doors and the finest finishes complete this cocoon of creature comforts amidst the wild and untamed Africa.

The first of the vessel’s three levels boasts an air-conditioned reading room, which offers a comprehensive library of books on the area and numerous games. There is also a computer facility with internet and a Curio shop. The remainder of the first and the entire second level contain the 10 Suites and 4 Master Suites.

Situated on the third level are the dining facilities alongside an open-plan lounge area with fireplace. A computerized telescope for exploring the African night-time sky is situated on the fore deck. A stylish bar stocked with the finest wines and spirits is provided to ensure all your creature comforts are taken care of. All these areas are protected by mosquito screens which allow for a comfortable and pleasant environment for relaxing wining and dining. The outside areas on the top deck also include a shaded area with seating and a pool as well as a sun bathing area. At the aft section, there is another shaded seating area.

The cruise on the Chobe River involves either a two or three night stay on the Zambezi Queen, which includes collection from Botswana immigration at Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River, Kasane airport or Impilila airstrip on the Namibian side (special arrangements can be made for other land transfer requirements); all meals prepared by skilled chefs; specially imported South African wines will be expertly paired with your gourmet meals and complimentary drinks will be provided with all activities whether land or boat based. All water-based game viewing on our smaller boats as well as land-based 4x4 game viewing in Botswana’s Chobe National Park; Tiger and bream fishing in season; bird watching from smaller boats and land-based cultural tour of a local village are all part of our all inclusive package. A dedicated team of experienced guides, chefs and hands-on staff will ensure a memorable experience for all guests.

Sustainable, responsible tourism lies at the heart of this project, with one of Zambezi Queen’s major concerns being the preservation of this unspoilt area. The Zambezi Queen has therefore been designed and built to very specific requirements. It does not use conventional propellers but a jet propulsion system which reduces damage to the river bed and enables the boat to operate in very shallow water. At night it switches over to a low emission power system for lighting, refrigerators and other requirements. This unique system will allow guests to enjoy the sounds of the bush undisturbed by the unwanted sounds of modern technology. All hot water requirements are provided by solar panels which transfers the sun’s energy to storage boilers. Taps and showers incorporate the most advanced water saving designs available.

Whether dining on the top level while watching the wildlife gather at the waters at dusk, game viewing from one of the private boats, or attempting to land your first Tiger fish, Zambezi Queen’s professional team will be on hand to meet your every need.


Zambezi Queen - Suite Features
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • King size beds which can be converted to 2 singles on request
  • Private balconies overlooking the Chobe River
  • Full length sliding shutters for both privacy and protection from the sun
  • Mosquito screens
  • Floor mounted fan in all Suites
  • Private safes

Zambezi Queen - Master Suite Features
  • Two of the 4 Master suite’s private decks have outdoor furniture (10 & 11 bottom) and the remaining two (2nd level) have superb panoramic views with doors and windows both sides. These suites are at the front of the boat.
  • En-suite bathrooms
  • King size beds which can be converted to 2 singles on request
  • Private balconies overlooking the Chobe River
  • Full length sliding shutters for both privacy and protection from the sun
  • Mosquito screens
  • Floor mounted fan in all Suites
  • Private safes

Zambezi Queen - Boat Features
  • Library
  • Curio shop
  • Computer facility with internet
  • Dining facilities – protected by mosquito screens
  • Open plan lounge area with unobstructed views – protected by mosquito screens
  • Computerised telescope
  • Well appointed bar with the finest wines and spirits
  • Two outside areas on the top deck, one aft shaded area with comfortable seating and other foredeck with plunge pool and sun bathing area
  • Whilst it cannot be guaranteed, cell phone coverage in most areas is available

Activities
  • Water based game viewing from tender boat
  • Tiger and bream fishing in season
  • Bird watching from tender boat
  • Land based cultural tour of the local village
  • Land based half day 4x4 game viewing in Botswana Chobe National Park

Directions & Map

Zambezi Queen

Route map
Zambezi Queen - Route map


Area map
Zambezi Queen - Area map


GPS Coordinates

17° 49' 0 S
25° 8' 60 E