Chobe Princesses: Our full report
At the eastern end of Namibia's Caprivi Strip, four houseboats known as the Zambezi Queen collection cruise ...
... the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. The Zambezi Queen is the largest, with 14 cabins, and the most luxurious. Formerly known as the Ichobezi houseboats, and the Pride of the Zambezi houseboat, three smaller boats, each with just four cabins, make up the Chobe Princesses. A few relaxing nights on one of these houseboats is a fantastic way to experience the birds, animals and scenery of this lush corner where Namibia and Botswana meet.Each Chobe Princess houseboat has four or five large cabins, furnished with a double or twin beds. The en-suite bathroom is fitted with a shower, toilet and hand basin, and each cabin has air conditioning and a large sliding window offering fantastic views of the changing river scenery as the houseboat glides by.
Above the cabins, the partially covered communal deck has a lounge and bar with comfortable seating in the shade, an open-air dining area, and a small plunge pool. Two of the houseboats have an upper deck where sun loungers are set out. This deck offers particularly great leverage for guests to experience the wide expanse of the Chobe River and the more secretive waterways of the Zambezi.
Each houseboat has dedicated tender boats. These are small motorboats that accompany the safariboats on their travels. A tender boat allows guests the freedom to partake in any excursions or activities best done away from the main houseboat.
All three Chobe Princess houseboats provide a memorable way to explore this lush river landscape. Whilst sailing on the Chobe River the houseboat's top deck provides an ideal platform from which to view the abundant wildlife of the Chobe National Park. Other activities offered include fishing on the Zambezi River renowned for its sizeable tiger fish and bream, sunset cruises and birding trips in the tender boats, and visits to some of the local fishing communities in the area.
Game drives in Chobe National Park are not included, but can be arranged in advance at an additional cost.
Our view
Two or three nights on one of the Chobe Princess houseboats offers an intimate and relaxing way to view wildlife, enjoy spectacular birding, try out a bit of fishing, and take a different mode of transport to the more typical game drive safaris. It makes a great addition to a Victoria Falls visit, or a wonderful beginning or end to a Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia safari.
Geographics
- Location
- Caprivi Strip, Namibia
- Directions
- Guests for the Chobe Princess safariboats will be met at Kasane by one of the small tender boats.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- All house wines, local beers, soft drinks, tea/coffee and mineral water.
Special interests
- Private villas & houses
- Although not a villa or a house, each of the Chobe Princess Houseboats comes with a private chef, a guide, four twin cabins and motorboats for excursions. So it’s like a floating villa; a unique base on the Chobe – great for generally relaxing and wildlife-viewing.
- See ideas for Private villas & houses
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome on the Chobe Princess houseboats.
- Equipment
- The houseboat cabins are large enough to allow for one child under the age of 7 years to share a room with two adults.
- Generally recommended for children
- The Chobe Princess safariboats are an excellent option for families. As this accommodation is on a boat, children must remain under their parents supervision at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Chobe Princesses
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Chobe Princesses have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
86% success
67% success
63% success
60% success
25% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Communications
- There is no WiFi connection on the Chobe Princesses. However, cellphone reception is possible throughout most of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers.
- Water supply
- Other
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a doctor available in the nearby town of Kasane.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Helicopter
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- As there are no laundry facilities on board the Houseboat, no laundry service is offered.
Other lodges in Caprivi Strip
Alternative places to stay in this same area.