Reviews of Chobe Princesses

"Thanks to good advice from EA, we did this last on our two-week trip to the bush, and it was the perfect way to relax and unwind. No LandCruiser 'free massage.' No rush. No big crowds -- there were 7 of us total on board.

The wide waters and open plains along the river kept the middays cooler and the nights milder, and made a breeze almost always available to help. The staff were kind, genuine, friendly, and knowledgeable. The motorboat 'game cruises' gave us a totally different view of many animals we'd seen on our overland safaris -- often wonderfully different, closer, at eye level, with rich and varied behaviors. The rooms are comfortable, clean, quiet, and cozy, with a lovely shower and thoughtful appointments. And the food was superb, diverse, delicious, and beautifully presented.

We were concerned that two nights would be too little, but it was just right. Though the boat-cruise game viewing is amazing, it has a less diverse palette of habitats to view. The shady steep wooded banks were especially rich in birds and lounging crocs; the open savannas and pans along the river bank gave wonderful views of elephants, ungulates, and baboons coming down to drink, or (for the elephants, ford and swim snorkel-style across). The hippo viewing is superior.

But the boat necessarily covers a limited stretch of the banks, and several nearby channels -- this is not a long boat journey down a wild river through jungle, papyrus marsh, and dusty veld, but a rich, small microcosm near a convenient town with lovely coffee-shops and a usefully-sized and efficient airport. This was the perfect wind-down and reprise for our trip; it might be a useful introduction before heading out overland to 'rough it' in the wild." See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa

"As our last stop on our month long safari, the Chobe Princess houseboat was the level of comfort we were craving for. With no more bumpy and dusty game drives, we could totally relax with smooth boat cruising on the calm waters of the Chobe River. The use of the photo boat with swivelling seats and a gimble for my camera made it even more comfortable.

The houseboat was beautiful and the food excellent. The Chef, Ellis worked pure magic from her kitchen. We stayed in a beautiful room at the bow of the boat. From the comfort of the king sized bed or chairs on our balcony, we could watch wildlife grazing by the river, hippos bobbing in the water and birds diving for prey.

The game drives (cruises) were amazing. Lots of wildlife including lions to be seen from the water. The huge amount of elephants and their antics at Elephant Bay were a favourite along with several water crossings during which only the tips of trunks could be seen. This is a great location for bird watching too with a vast variety seen.

The Chobe Princess offers three optional game drives per day. As a photographer, I would prefer two with extended times. I'm sure this would have been negotiable but we were hesitant to ask as we were not the only persons this would affect.

This was our second time wildlife cruising on the Chobe River and we would not hesitate to do it again." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana

"We enjoyed seeing all the different animals coming down to the Chobe River, and the antics of the hippos and elephants in the river. The river boat provided a different perspective to game viewing in the camps, and the river safari boat with camera mounts was much appreciated.

There was a wide variety of birdlife, from tiny malachite kingfishers to large storks and herons (especially all the storks competing for nesting spaces in the bushes in the middle of the rapids). Large crocodiles were also plentiful.

We saw a leopard lurking in a tree on the banks, then stalking in the bushes behind some small baby elephants, before being spotted and fleeing, with adult elephants in hot pursuit.

Another highlight was watching several troops of baboons, and not least a group of lionesses conducting an extended (unsuccessful) hunt for baboons along the river bank with much alarm barking and acrobatic displays by these baboons in the trees." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana

"This was a relaxing and pleasant experience. Being on the houseboat was a nice alternative to the "African massage" we experienced at other times on our trip.

The room was comfortable and well equipped. The crew was helpful, knowledgable, and kind. We were surprised at how wonderful the food was with excellent service.

Most of the game viewing was excellent though sometimes the animals were somewhat far from the smaller boats. Birding was a highlight." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

"A Chobe Princess on the Chobe River was a great experience - we moved to three separate locations over the three days including Elephant Bay. It was especially enjoyable being on the river after sunset and as the sun rises. The crew and guides couldn't have been more helpful and hospitable. The group dining was a great experience enabling us to meet and talk with the other guests. We were fortunate to have the top berth which gave us great views over the river. A particular highlight was seeing 4 lions coming down to the river bank to feed on a dead buffalo at 7am - with calm water and perfect light for photographs." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana

"Superb as previously, and in fact the game viewing--particularly the bird life which was better than in Feb 2012, when we last went on this boat and booked by Audley Travel that year

This year, there were great guests as well----all turned out to be Australian judges--Mike is also a lawyer---they were far from boring but were great fun and we had some very intelligent conversations as well----they were great travelling companions

Our room seemed better than before---larger with lots of cupboards and the lovely french doors onto out own private balcony!

One thing to mention:

In Feb 2012, each couple had their own private tender + driver

Since the boat is now owned by the Zambezi Queen (previously it was called the Ichobezi), there are only 2 x boats available for water excursions

One tender is for only 2 people and is not covered----this was luckily our tender

The only other tender was for a max of 6 people, which suited our situation fine, as there were 6 Australians travelling together---this was a covered boat

We would not have been so pleased had we had to share the large tender with 4 other people to be honest----for one thing, I have to stop every now and then to go to the loo---as I have a loo problem---and that would have been awkward for me

The other thing, that doesn't particularly bother us, was that our tender for just the 2 of us was not covered---and some of the
Australian guests in the larger tender, said that they could not have coped in an uncovered boat---and I can see their point to be
honest

I think that as previously, when not owned by the Zambezi Queen, there should be a tender for each couple or whatever

Staff and food were superb + the copious amounts of wine consumed!

Although in Sept 20" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Mozambique; 3n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa

"We could not fault our time on the four room Chobe Princess house boat which was a very relaxing way to end thee and a half weeks in Namibia. We had cabin one with the balcony and it was very spacey and luxurious with everything we needed. The other cabins looked pleasant as well.

The food and drink were excellent an we always seemed to be eating. All the staff were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. The two top decks were very comfortable and gave great views over the Chobe and river and park and communal lands on each side.

Our itinerary was after going on board we had a drink, were shown around our cabin then had a leisurely lunch as we cruised slowly up river to our mooring location. We then went for a pleasant sunset cruise on the small tender boat and saw a lot of the elephants that Chobe is famous for. The next morning we had a sunrise cruise again in one of the small boats with one other couple. After breakfast we went on our own on a birding boat trip while the other passengers went on a game viewing trip on the other small boat. Back for lunch as we cruised slowly further up the Chobe river. After lunch there was another game viewing sunset trip that included a spectacular viewing of a leopard drinking at the waters edge. A wonderful day during which we were accompanied by Raymond, a great guide with a passion for birds.

The next morning as we cruised back to Kasane we were sad to leave our houseboat." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana

"The 3 Princesses and Queen are based on the Namibian side of the Chobe river. After the very interesting customs experience (into Botswana / out of Botswana / into Namibia in the most interesting way) we joined one of the three Princesses. There were four rooms and we were given the one at the front which had beautiful views, was very clean and bright and had air conditioning. We joined the other guests who were having their lunch. All of the guests dine at one table. We shared the boat with a lovely family of 4 and another nice couple. All were German and went out of their way to speak in English so we were included in any discussions which was very much appreciated.

The 3 Princesses slowly cruise down the river to set moorings against the river bank and they move to another spot every day. They do not travel huge distances so do not expect that. They are also not allowed to moor or go on the Batswanan side of the river. The only excursions offered were the village visit or tender trips: fishing was not offered to our boat. These limited activities did not bother us at all but might disappoint others.

From the Princess you get in tenders which cruise down the river spotting whatever you can along the way. Each trip was different. We saw many birds, kudu, impala, crocodiles, hippos etc from the water. The highlight was watching many elephants walking along the riverbank at sunset and then swimming across the river for better feeding. Taking advice from previous reviews I had requested, and received, the photographic boat which has 6 fixed spaces for cameras although several were not working. We had a lovely trip the afternoon we joined and we stayed out for sunset. The next day we had an early morning trip, back for breakfast and then another trip afterwards with a further trip in the afternoon/evening. On the morning of departure the Princess slowly cruised back to the home mooring and we were off the boat at around 10am.

The guides were knowledgeable and respectful of the wildlife (unlike some others on the river!). The boat staff were lovely and around when needed but not obtrusive. The food was very tasty indeed and wine and beer plentiful.

The Princess has a small plunge pool on the front deck which was wonderful for dangling our toes in to cool down. There is a generous seating area inside as well as on the outside deck. Numerous books and games were available.

We really enjoyed our stay, it was relaxing, it suited us and was a great way to begin this holiday." See all these reviews: 16n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia

"As soon as we stepped onboard we were overwhelmed with the warmth and brightness of the boat and the friendly, efficient and friendly service of the staff, led by Robert. The rooms were bright and airy, with very good hot showers. The food was excellent. We saw a lot of birds and other wildlife on our morning and evening boat trips and they were expertly and safely guided. We were in a less populated area of the Chobe river, so there were not so many boats, which made the experience so much more enjoyable. We did the village walk, which was interesting, and participated in the compulsory dancing! Also unsuccessfully tried tiger fishing off the small boat.
Overall, I cannot recommend this experience highly enough, we shall certainly return." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana

"This was a very nice way to spend a couple of nights at the end of our holiday. The boat itself was comfortable and the staff very good. We felt the rooms, particularly the bathrooms and toilets, needed some refurbishment and the boat looked a little 'tired'. The only activity provided was boat trips by small tender along the Chobe River bank - this became a little predictable.

We weren't offered any other activities, such as fishing from a smaller boat. We suspect that because there was a larger group of seven AustralIans aboard the activity was centred on what they wanted and we were expected to tag along. We didn't see a lot of game on the riverbank but this was not an issue as we had already seen plenty in the Delta. The high water levels also restricted the movement of some of the wildlife - we were told that large herds of elephants regularly cross the river when the water level is lower.

Having said that, the bird life was exceptional and the scenery and sunsets spectacular.l" See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe