Activities

If you feel like wrenching yourself from the sun bathed platform of the Zambezi Queen with G&T in hand then there are a range of activities on offer to suit everyone’s taste, listed below are your options:

From Boat:

• Water-based game viewing on smaller boats which enables close-up viewing in an environment where the animals do not feel threatened
• Tiger and bream fishing in season
• Bird watching from smaller boats

Surrounding Area:

• Land-based half day 4×4 game viewing in Botswana’s Chobe National Park (Zambezi Queen has its own guides, all of whom are groomed by Garth Thompson, world-renowned expert in the field of guiding in Africa)
• Land-based cultural tour of a local village
• A light aircraft situated 10 min from the base camp allows guests to do a spot of aerial game viewing, or to use as a transfer shuttle to Victoria Falls or the Okavango Delta – This will be at an additional cost.

Kasenu village walk

This delightful village situated around a Baobab tree can trace its history back a few hundred years.  The people of this village provide income for their families through traditional fishing methods as well as livestock.  You will have the opportunity of getting an in depth view of their lives as they welcome you into their homes and get a glimpse of a life style that has not changed in thousands of years.  We recommend you take with you sun protection in the form of lotion and hats, cameras with sufficient battery and memory card, small denomination notes to buy souvenirs and small gifts like sweets, pens and pencils etc. are always gratefully received.

Chobe 4×4 Game Drive

Experience one of Africa’s true wildlife gems in this 11 000 square kilometre wildlife preserve.  Arguments rage as to whether the elephant population is 60 000 or 120 000.  It really does not matter which is correct as the sight of herds numbering in the hundreds is a sight you will never forget.  In this park where predators like lion, leopard and wild dog abound it is no wonder it has been called the Galapagos of Africa.

Don’t forget to take with you binoculars, cameras with sufficient battery power and memory card as well as a suitable windbreaker as the vehicles are open.

Boma Evening

Tonight is the chance to experience Africa as it once was,  from the high reed walls to the flickering paraffin lanterns,  you will have the opportunity of putting your senses both culinary and visually to a completely new set of stimulus.

Our chefs tonight will have prepared a gastronomical feast which will include choice cuts of venison as well as traditional fare.  Entertainment will be provided by the people from the nearby Kasenu village.  Their different dance routines and songs will be interpreted and explained by our guides giving you a glimpse into the cares and concerns of our local people.

As the evenings can be chilly suitable warm clothing should be worn.  Don’t forget to take your mosquito spray with you.

Star Gazing Evening

In today’s fast paced way of life it is so seldom that we get to “stop and smell the roses” let alone take the opportunity to look to the heavens and gasp in wonder at a star studded night sky that is only possible far away from civilisation and its resultant light pollution.  Our star guides will take you on a voyage of discovery rolling back the clock to a time when the heavens were used to tell times and seasons, to a day before GPS and compass told you how to navigate.  They will intertwine the folklore of the San Bushmen with the knowledge of the ancient Greek astronomers.  With their handheld laser pointers they will show the different constellations as you lay back on a bed of reeds with scatter cushions as headrests.  Do not forget to take along something warm in the winter months and mosquito spray.

Impalila Island

This uniquely positioned island straddles the intersection of where all four countries meet.  It is here where it is possible to drink a beer, a Zimbabwean Zambezi, a Botswana St Louis, a Zambian Mozi and a Namibian Tafel and know that the countries from whence they came are not more than 200 metres away.  Folklore has it that a notorious smuggler lived here and each time a deputation was sent to arrest him from one of the adjoining countries he would insist that where he was standing was in another sovereign state.  He was never sent to jail for his crimes.  The little island has another side to its history in that it played a prominent role when the South African Defence Force used it as a military base and it is still possible to climb the lookout baobab and sit high above the Zambezi flood plain and behold an endless view over all four countries.  This baobab has an astounding girth of 48 metres.

Fishing

No trip to the Chobe or the Zambezi would be complete without trying your hand at fishing.  These particular waters are home to the notorious, voracious, most powerful power to weight ratio fresh water fish in the world.  The Tiger fish is a true delight to every serious or amateur angler.  These mighty fighters can be taken on fly or on the traditional spinner or spoon.  Our fishing guides have grown up in this area and know exactly where to take you for the best options of landing one of these amazing fish.  We practice capture and release with Tiger but adopt “the hook and cook” concept when going after the delicious Bream that frequent these waters.  Our chefs are on hand to turn your catch into the most delicious dish imaginable.  Don’t forget to take along your camera, batteries and sim card to record the event as well as plenty of sunscreen and hat.  We will provide the rest.

Game Viewing by Boat

This is the real reason you have come to this area.  Our custom designed game viewing boats are fully equipped to carry 18 passengers each.  Each one of the two game viewers each have an on board toilet as well as a well stocked mini bar.  Please ensure that if you have any specific requests with regard to drinks that these are placed with our boat guides prior to departure.  There is a seat designed to carry two people on the upper deck and we can carry two people seated on this,  as well as two seated on the carpeted deck if required.  We will not allow more than four people on the upper deck at any one time.  This is an ideal spot for the serious photographer.  Should you wish the driver to stop for any reason please indicate this by hitting the floor a number of times.  DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES STAND UP ON THE UPPERDECK!!!!!  These game viewing boats are designed to go where the Zambezi Queen cannot so this is your opportunity to get up close and personal with the great and small that the Chobe has to offer.  Do not forget your cameras, binoculars, sunscreen and in winter something warm to cover up.

Beach Lunch

Quaint colourful rustic style tents will have been erected where each couple will be given their own private structure.  These unique structures each have a number of overstuffed pillows  to ensure that your afternoon siesta will be one to remember.  Traditional wood fired ovens will produce mouth watering delicacies which will then be delivered by our ever friendly staff right to your abode.   Our delightful river front bar will produce our very own blend of cocktails as well as traditional drinks.

Right at the water’s edge awaits a new experience to thrill your senses.  We have built our very own crocodile and hippo proof floating swimming pool right in the Chobe river.  Nothing can compare with the thrill of cooling down in the very waters that the hippos and crocs make their home.

Don’t forget your swimming costume, sunscreen, a good book, camera, binoculars, etc.