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 or five 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. Crisp linens and colourful cushions brighten the space, while wildlife photographic prints adorn the walls – but the focus is the view from your large windows or sliding doors, offering fantastic views of the changing river scenery as the houseboat glides by.
Each cabin has air conditioning, and an en-suite bathroom, fitted with a shower, toilet and hand basin, with complimentary eco-friendly toiletries provided. Storage space is to one side of the cabins, and international charging sockets are found to the side of the beds.
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. Renovated in late 2024, all three of the houseboats now 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. On our last visit, in July 2024, we had some memorable game cruises along the river, watching lion make their way down to the river to drink, huge herds of elephant crossing the waterways, and some stunning male kudus fighting over territory on the bank.
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.
The Zambezi Queen and her sister boats, the Chobe Princesses sail on three scheduled weekly departures, for two or three night stays. Though it is possible to enjoy time on one of the houseboats as a standalone stay, it’s a great addition to a longer trip incorporating some time either at the Victoria Falls, or heading south into Botswana’s Okavango Delta – chat to us for more ideas and information.
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.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Caprivi Strip, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- We would recommend a stay of two or three nights on the safariboats – though it’s great to combine time on the houseboat with an extended safari trip: either taking in the Victoria Falls, heading deeper into Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, or travelling south to Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
- Directions
- Guests for the Chobe Princess and Zambezi Queen safariboats will be met at Kasane by one of the small tender boats, assisted through the immigration processes at Impalila Island, before being transferred to the main houseboat.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- During our last stay in July 2024, we found the food to be simple, but tasty and plentiful. Most dietary needs can be catered for, but advance notice must be given.
Tea and coffee are set out early each morning, with jars of rusks and cookies to hand. Breakfast is usually served around 8am, and ours included fresh juices, a selection of cereals and muesli, yoghurt, fresh fruit salad, platters of cheeses and cold fish and meats, freshly baked muffins and toast. Eggs and bacon can be cooked to order.
For lunch a buffet is served, we had the choice of a Spanish omelette and a range of salads, with freshly baked bread rolls and a selection of chutney and sauces. A light chocolate and granadilla baked tart followed, with tea and coffee offered alongside.
Our three-course dinner started with a roasted pumpkin slices and chutney, followed by panfried hake, creamed spinach and crispy potato wedges. Dessert was warm chocolate cake and vanilla custard – somewhat reminiscent of school dinners, but delicious nonetheless! - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- All house wines, local beers, soft drinks, tea/coffee and mineral water. Spirits and sparkling wine are an additional cost.
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 in Namibia
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome on the Chobe Princess houseboats.
- Special activities & services
- None provided.
- 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 the supervision of a parent or guardian 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
88% success
86% success
69% success
55% success
30% success
18% success
18% success
10% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- A generator runs during the day to power the boat’s batteries, which run during the night while the generator is turned off – but they are powerful enough to run the air conditioning units in all the cabins.
- Communications
- There is WiFi with an intermittent connection on the Chobe Princesses. There is limited cellphone reception throughout most of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers.
- TV & radio
- None.
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- All the bathrooms are plumbed, with hot showers and flushing toilets.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a doctor available in the nearby town of Kasane. A first aid kit is kept on board, and the main guide is first aid trained.
Life jackets are provided in the tender boats for transfers and activities, and in each cabin in case of emergency. Life rings are placed around the boat, and a safety briefing is given on arrival. - Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- A member of staff is on call during the night in case of any emergencies.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are located around the boat, and staff are trained in their use.
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.
- Money
- Each cabin has a small electronic safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- The safariboats can accept payment for extras in US dollars, euros, pounds, rand and Botswana pula. Mastercard and Visa are also accepted, please advise the staff if you wish to pay by card, and a card machine will be brought to the boat.
Other lodges in Caprivi Strip
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Ndhovu Safari Lodge
Ndhovu is a simple riverside lodge, with tents that are reminiscent of safaris a decade or two ago.
Hakusembe Lodge
Hakusembe River Lodge is a substantial lodge with a superb location on the Kavango River.
Lianshulu Lodge
Beside the Kwando River, within Mudumu National Park, Lianshulu is a small safari lodge offering 4WD safaris and river trips – with particularly good birdlife.
Nkasa Lupala
Peaceful Nkasa Lupala is a comfortable lodge in a remote and little-explored area close to Nkasa Rupara National Park.
Nunda River Lodge
NNunda River Lodge overlooks a pretty part of the Kavango River near Popa Falls and the productive Mahango National Park.
Camp Kwando
Near to Mudumu National Park, Camp Kwando is a comfortable and unfussy option with opportunities for game drives, boat safaris and fishing.
Ichingo Chobe Lodge
Safari holiday in Namibia's Caprivi Strip, staying at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge on Impalila Island.
Nambwa Tented Lodge
A beautiful safari lodge In the remote Bwabwata National Park, Nambwa Tented Lodge brings serious comfort to a relaxing safari.
River Dance
Build on stilts on the banks of the Kavango River, River Dance Lodge has great views, a relaxed ambience and excellent birdlife.
Zambezi Queen
The Zambezi Queen offers luxurious two- and three-night cruises along the game-rich Chobe River, including game viewing by small boat and 4WD as well as catch-and-release fishing.
Taranga Lodge
Situated on the banks of the Kavango, Taranga Safari Lodge works as a convenient stopover before going onto explore the Caprivi.
Divava Lodge & Spa
The substantial Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa offers plenty of pampering opportunities in an unspoilt riverside setting
Cascade Island Lodge
Cascade Island Lodge, near Kasane in the Caprivi Strip is a very luxurious, high end option for those seeking peace and privacy on the Zambezi River.
Shametu Lodge
Shametu River Lodge has the best views of the Popa Rapids of any private lodge in the Divundu area.
Jackalberry Camp
Jackalberry Camp is uniquely situated in the Nkasa Rupara National Park affording unrivalled access to this little-visited corner of Namibia.
Namushasha Lodge
One of the larger lodges in the Bwabwata National Park, Namushasha is an economic option with an attractive river-side location.
Kazile Island Lodge
On an island in the Kwando River within Bwabwata National Park, the remote Kazile lsland Lodge offers games drives, bush walks and boat cruises.
Serondela
Accessible only by river, Serondela combines the remoteness of Namibia’s Caprivi Strip with access to Botswana’s flagship Chobe National Park.
Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe Savanna Lodge stands opposite Chobe National Park, Botswana. Click here to learn more about the area and your options for a safari there.
Chobe Water Villas
Chobe Water Villas is a beautiful and thoughtfully designed lodge, in a great location on the Namibian banks of the Chobe River.
