The Zambezi Queen Collection by Mantis comprises four houseboats: the flagship, luxury vessel: Zambezi Queen by Mantis and three deluxe vessels: the Chobe Princesses by Mantis. All of the houseboats sail along the Chobe River, with the Zambezi Queen by Mantis navigating roughly 25km of the river and the Chobe Princesses by Mantis able to navigate 50km of the river due to their smaller size. In addition to the houseboats, the collection also includes the secluded Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis which is surrounded by dense forest and located on the quieter Namibian side of the Chobe River.
The four houseboats in the collection are available for exclusive charter, offering guests the ultimate all-inclusive river safari getaway. Sole use of the vessels is available for between 8 and 28 people, and guests can save 10% on the total price on all new bookings.
The River Safari Experience:
The banks of the Chobe National Park river have one of the world’s largest populations of elephant (estimated at around 120,000). The Park is also home to a large number of buffalo, leopard and lion, along with a variety of antelope and abundant birdlife. With an exclusive stay on-board one of the houseboats, guests set their own itinerary and decide whether they want to be up with the lark or prefer to lounge and watch game from the comfort of their rooms.
One of the on-board highlights is spotting a herd of elephants along the riverbank and seeing them cross the waterway. Heading out on a tender boat towards Elephant Bay with a guide, guests can get an even closer encounter with wildlife with water safari game drives. The Chobe is known as a *photographer’s paradise; providing uninterrupted access to striking wildlife. Soft early morning light and sunsets at dusk make for dramatic and unusual photo opportunities.
No trip to the Chobe is complete without trying a **fishing safari, where lucky guests could catch a tiger fish (one of the greatest fighting fish in the world). There is also the chance to catch one of the many bream species, African pike, tilapia, catfish or upper Zambezi yellowfish as guests explore over 100kms of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, as well as the winding Kasai Channel and thrilling Chobe and Mambova rapids.
A wide variety of additional experiences are available, ranging from birding to cultural tours
where guests can venture to Ijambwe (a Namibian village on the floodplains of the East Caprivi) to meet the Subiya tribe village elders and locals and gain a greater understanding of how the inhabitants of this 100-year old village live. Guests staying at the Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis can go on a walking tour to visit a 2,000-year-old baobab tree and learn more about the medicinal and spiritual value of Impalila Island’s flora.
The Houseboat Details:
The Zambezi Queen by Mantis offers 14 luxurious suites (10 standard suites and four spacious master suites at the bow of the boat). All suites have outer decks, with the master suites boasting two balconies each which provide excellent uninterrupted views of the African landscape. The houseboat also has a plunge pool and social spaces on the upper deck.
Two of the Chobe Princesses by Mantis have four cabins each (three standard and one superior). The third Princess houseboat is larger with five cabins (three standard and two superior). The standard cabins have beautiful large windows that slide open to bring the outdoors closer and the superior cabins each benefit from a private balcony. All of the Chobe Princesses by Mantis offer a spacious lounge and bar area as well as a plunge pool.
The Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis has eight Meru-style safari tents tucked beneath a canopy of trees, and each tent has a private balcony to take in views of the Chobe River.
Insider Tip:
Game viewing on the Chobe River is at its most exceptional from March to November when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile as they search for food and water. Summer and spring also offer unique opportunities to witness the landscape burst into life after the first rains of the season. Birding season starts in September, when the first migrants arrive. From December through to March birdlife on the Chobe is extremely busy with colourful breeding plumage on display.
Getting There:
- The Zambezi Queen Collection by Mantis recently renovated the runway on Impalila Island, situated at the far eastern tip of Namibia. The runway upgrade means guests can charter private aircraft from Namibia and have easier access to all of the Collection.
- Daily commercial flights are available from South Africa to Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and weekly flights are available from Namibia.
- Road transfers available to and from Kasane International Airport, from Victoria Falls International Airport, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (formerly Livingstone Airport) and Katima Mulilo Airport.
NB: Passports will be stamped at both Kasane and Namibian immigration offices.
Rates:
- All the houseboats sail on scheduled weekly departures every Monday (two-nights or four-nights), Wednesday (two-nights) and Friday (three-nights). The 2022 rate is per person, per night (based on double occupancy) for either a two-night, three-night or four-night itinerary starting from £494 / $670 or the Zambezi Queen by Mantis and from £354 / $480 for the Chobe Princesses by Mantis ***all-inclusive for a standard suite (low season: January, February and December). Exclusive charter rate POA.
- The Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis 2022 rate is per person, per night and starts from £304 / $412
Contact & Reservations:
Website: www.zqcollection.com
Email: enquiry@zqcollection.com
Tel: +27 21 715 2412 / UK Enquiries: 0 808 189 0987/ US Enquiries 1 800 8651547
