If you are looking for something just a little bit different, why not consider a few relaxing days on a floating luxury lodge? The new Nguni Zambezi Voyager offers the perfect base from which to explore this diverse region with game viewing, birding, fishing, cultural visits and relaxation the order of the day.
The upper Zambezi wilderness is a mosaic of wetlands creating enormous biodiversity. Three predominant rivers flow through this area; the Zambezi, Chobe and Kasai. The opportunity to travel for hundreds of kilometres on all these rivers is possible with the Zambezi Voyager. Each river is unique and has its own character and charm, so a stay of a few days is recommended to enable visitors to enjoy as much variety as possible!
Nearby attractions include the magnificent Chobe National Park, a wildlife rich environment that is particularly well known for its large elephant population. Impalila Island is also located near by, this is the only place in the world where four countries meet at one point. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is just a day trip away, and this whole area will soon be encompassed into the exciting Kavango Zambezi (KaZa) Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Nguni is a luxuriously appointed, fully serviced and activity driven floating lodge, more than just a houseboat and more than a luxury lodge! Nguni accommodates ten passengers in either twin or double bedded accommodation. The well appointed berths are tastefully decorated with soft stone textures and hand made linen. The entertainment decks combine a comfortable compliment of private lounges overlooking the idyllic waterways whilst the open air decks offer a choice of cooling off in the Jacuzzi or soaking up the African sun on the top deck loungers. Nguni is an exclusive experience affording you privacy amongst the scenic beauty of the African water and savannah.
One tender boat and guide per room are usually available, so guests can have a choice of either taking a safari on the Chobe River, concentrating on the photographic opportunities of an environment considered the Jewel of Namibia, enjoying a relaxing fishing trip, or simply travelling through this lush wilderness in distinctive comfort and style.
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. Approximately 450 species of birds occur throughout this area, indeed it is the most prolific birding wildlife area in Southern Africa due to a diverse variety of habitats. The rivers have an enormous fish resource and therefore are home to magnificent 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. The guides do however specialise in trying and finding the rarities like the Slaty Egret, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Coppery Sunbird, White Backed Night Heron and Pels Fishing Owl.
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.
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. 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 reputa tion of being one of the hardest fighting and most difficult fish to boat. These river fish can grow up to 10kg (22lbs) in this stretch of water. The guides actively practice catch and release and are committed to the long term sustainability of our fish resource.
