Nguni Zambezi Voyager

Luxury houseboat accommodation • Operates on Zambezi and Chobe Rivers • Photographic opportunities • Fishing • Gameviewing • Birdviewing • Owner operated

More than a HOUSEBOAT and not just another LODGE in AFRICA.

Nguni is a luxuriously appointed, fully serviced and activity driven FLOATING LODGE, that operates on the Zambezi and Chobe rivers offering you a river voyager, Nguni, which is custom made, for your African safari. Their area of operation is within a water wilderness and you have a choice of taking a safari on the Chobe River, concentrating on the photographic opportunities of an environment considered the Jewel of Namibia, having a fishing trip with a “ happy ending “, or simply travelling through a piece of Africa in distinctive comfort and style.

Nguni is an owner run operation and would like to bring Africa’s’ premier elephant viewing, tiger fishing and sunset destination, just a little bit closer and from their viewing deck a lot, lot closer. In the words of their team “ The views of the sweeping plains and vistas create an opportunity to see more than you would expect, the lion, leopard and hidden stream are suddenly yours and yours alone.”

Nguni accommodates 10 passengers in either twin or double bedded accommodation. The well appointed berths are tastefully decorated with soft stone textures and handmade linen. The entertaining decks combine a comfortable compliment of private lounges overlooking the idyllic waterways. The open air decks offer a choice of cooling off in the jacuzzi or soaking up the African sun on the sun loungers on the top deck. Nguni is an exclusive experience affording you privacy amongst some of the most scenic beauty of the African water and savannah.

All activities will be conducted from tender boats. Each cabin will have its own tender boat and guide where possible, however staying aboard Nguni is an activity in itself. From the elevated position of the viewing deck you have a birds’ eye view of the surrounding floodplains and waterways.

Game Viewing: Game viewing will take place on the Chobe River. Viewing game from the water is a memorable experience, the game does not feel threatened from a water born source therefore the photographic opportunities are exceptional. The Chobe has the largest concentration of elephants in Africa and for this reason alone the Chobe is a must for any visitor to Nguni. There are vast buffalo herds and numerous plains game species that traverse the area as well as the possibility of sighting predators such as Lion, Wild Dog, Hyena and Leopard.

Birding: Approximately 450 species of birds occur throughout this area. It is the most prolific birding wildlife area in Southern Africa due to a diverse spread of habitats. Being situated on the Northern boundary of Southern Africa migratory birds can be seen on their way North or South. The rivers have an enormous fish resource and therefore are home to magnificient water birds. Some of the iconic species of the area such as the African Fish Eagle, Mallachite Kingfisher, African Jacana and African Skimmer can be viewed easily from Nguni. They however do specialise in trying and finding the rarities like the Slaty Egret, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Coppery Sunbird, White Backed Night Heron and Pels Fishing Owl.

Local Culture: All clients aboard Nguni will be part of the Zambezi culture. The river communities that live along the banks of the river are known as the Lozi and Masubia. Visitors are able to experience their lifestyle by simply observing as they tend to their daily duties or be more participatory as guests in one of their villages. Here we have the opportunity to understand how they live their way of life.

Walks: 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.

Fishing on the Rivers: The Upper Zambezi and Kasai Channel has some of the best river fishing in the world. The targeted species are Tigerfish, Bream and Catfish. 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. The distance between a good spot currently and another 4 months later can be as much as 70 kilometers. Nguni was built with this in mind, being able to take you to source, enabling the angler more quality fishing time, which equates to more quality fish.  It is important to know, that not all year is good for certain styles of fishing techniques, although, fish can be caught all year. Catch and release is actively practised.

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

[ Contact us to plan your safari ]