Jetsettersblog

Experience the thrill of an African safari from your own private suite aboard a luxurious 45 meter riverboat on Namibia and Botswana’s great Chobe River.

The Zambezi Queen, Africa’s newest luxury riverboat safari, is due to launch in November this year. There can be few natural wonders as synonymous with Africa’s raw wilderness as this stretch of untamed waters. The Chobe River divides Botswana’s Chobe National Park from Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and its exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent.

Chobe National Park is teeming with life and sprawls across some 11, 000 km² of lush African bush. It is home to the largest populace of elephants in the world, currently estimated at about 120, 000.

Along with the elephants, prides of lion, leopard, huge herds of buffalo and numerous species of antelope can be seen on the river banks, with hippos and crocodiles in the waters alongside. It is on this great expanse of water that an adventure unlike any other awaits.

The Zambezi Queen operates in opulent luxury, where the essence is about pampering, indulgence, and personalised comfort in the heart of African wilderness. The 14 Suites, of which 4 are Master Suites, will all enjoy private balconies and fans, full length sliding shutters for privacy and protection from the sun, mosquito screens and the finest finishes.

Of the vessel’s three levels, the first boasts an air-conditioned reading room, which offers a library of books on the fauna, flora and history of the area, numerous games, a DVD player with wildlife documentaries and computer facilities with Internet access.

The remainder of the first and the entire second deck contain the 14 Suites and Master Suites. On the third level with unobstructed views on three sides, guests will dine in absolute luxury whilst taking in the picturesque African surroundings.

Pete Goff-Wood, self-styled food guru and one of South Africa’s top chefs, has been commissioned to create a menu that reflects the flavours of Africa. He has extensive experience in all things pertaining to the African palate and specialises in authentic cuisine.

All sous-chefs and waiters have been trained at his Cape Town-based training centre. In the centre is.

Also on the third level is a stylish bar stocked with the finest wines and spirits and an open-plan lounge area with wood-burning fireplace. All areas are protected by mosquito screens, allowing for a comfortable and pleasant environment for relaxing and dining. Two outside areas on the top deck include a shaded area with seating and a pool and sun bathing area.

Your home for the next 2 or 3 nights, depending on the cruise cycle, a voyage on the Zambezi Queen includes collection from either Botswana immigration at Kasane on the banks of Chobe River or Impilila airstrip on the Namibian side. Special arrangements can be made for other land transfer requirements. Included in the price are all meals prepared by skilled chefs; local wine and beers with meals and during game drives; water-based game viewing on smaller boats enabling close-up viewing in an environment where the animals feel comfortable; land-based 4×4 game viewing in Botswana’s Chobe National Park; tiger fishing in season; bird watching from smaller boats and a land-based cultural tour of local villages. 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. One of Zambezi Queen’s major concerns is 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 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 heat to storage boilers. Taps and showers incorporate the most advanced water saving designs available and all waste water is stored in holding tanks, so as to prevent discharging directly into the river.

Launching in November 2009, Zambezi Queen is owned by business partners Tony Stern and Brett McDonald.

Tony’s flair for design and Brett’s passion for Africa form the catalyst behind the creation of one of Africa’s most luxurious vessels. Brett, assisted by his wife Jacqui, who have both spent many years in the surrounding areas, have an intimate knowledge of Africa and a valuable understanding of delivering a unique African safari experience to their guests. Living at the base camp, they will be responsible for operations and guest management.

Zambezi Queen provides a sophisticated, elegant experience that has retained the essence of all that is uniquely African. 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.