Botswana - Places To Stay

Chobe River (near Kasane) - Experience the thrill of a unique African safari from the deck of your own private suite aboard a luxury 45 meter boat based on the magnificent Chobe River. There can be few natural wonders as synonymous with Africa's raw wilderness as this stretch of untamed waters. The Chobe River bisects Botswana's Chobe National Park from Namibia's Caprivi Strip, and has in the process created one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent.

All Suites and Master Suites are en-suite with private balconies, king size beds, and furnished to the highest level. Two of the four Master Suites have their own private deck with outdoor furniture and the remaining two having superb panoramic views with doors and windows on two sides.

The dining room is situated on the 3rd level with unobstructed views on three sides, were guests will dine in absolute luxury whilst taking in the picturesque African surroundings. Pete Goff-Wood, self-styled food alchemist and one of South Africa's top chefs, has been commissioned to create a menu that reflects the flavours of Africa. The 1st level contains an air-conditioned reading room with Chobe related literature, DVD player with wildlife documentaries and computer facilities. There are two outside areas on the top deck, one aft - a shaded area with comfortable seating - and the other on the fore deck with a pool and sun bathing area.

The 2 or 3 night Chobe cruises on the Zambezi Queen can be easily combined with classic Botswana safaris, extensions to Caprivi Strip/Namibia itineraries, Livingstone stays and/or Zambia safaris.

Zambezi Queen is conveniently located about 80 km from Livingstone and 3 km from Kasane International Airport.

Transfers from Livingstone or Victoria Falls airports to Zambezi Queen by road take approx 90 mins depending on border crossing times. Guests will be collected from Immigration on the banks of the river at Kasane (Botswana) for a 10 mins boat transfer to Zambezi Queen's docking station. Transfers from the Caprivi Strip (Namibia) and by charter flight can also be arranged.

10 Suites and 4 Master Suites

Green Season:
2 night itinerary £500 per person sharing a standard Suite
3 night itinerary £750 per person sharing a standard Suite

High Season:
2 night itinerary £625 per person sharing a standard Suite
3 night itinerary £935 per person sharing a standard Suite

Accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, house wines & beers during meals, all water-based activities, cultural village tour, half day Chobe game drive, fishing in season, transfers from/to Kasane immigration

Children 8 yrs and older are welcome

Water-based game viewing on smaller boats
Tiger & bream fishing (in season)
Bird watching from smaller boats
Land-based game viewing in 4x4 vehicle in Chobe National Park
Cultural tour of a local village.
At an additional cost, air-based game viewing from a light aircraft.

Zambezi Queen's major concerns are the preservation of this unspoilt area. The boat has therefore been designed and built to very specific requirements. It does not use conventional propellers, but a jet propulsion system reducing damage to the river bed and enabling 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 power. Taps and showers incorporate advanced water saving devices and all used water is stored in holding tanks to prevent discharging directly into the river.

All water onboard (with the exception of drinking water) is filtered river water. For drinking water the boat is fitted with a state-of-the-art purification system incorporating UV radiation technology.

All cleaning products used onboard are biodegradable and meet the most stringent European ISO standards.

Cash payments in USD and local currencies are accepted. Credit cards payments (Visa & Mastercard) are also accepted.

Weekly set departures:
2 night itinerary - Monday & Wednesday departures
3 night itinerary - Friday departures

The cruise consists of a continuous 2 night or 3 night programme, during whch the boat will be moored at 2 or 3 different locations along the Chobe River on the Namibian side. The 1st night is spent on the banks of the Chobe River close to Kasane where you clear customs and the 2nd night about 20 km away on the banks of the Chobe river near a traditional village. For guests on the 3 night cruise, the boat will stop near Sidudu Island, an overnight stop between the first two base camps. The boat motors back early on the last morning of each trip.