Victoria Falls and Beyond

Staying on board the Zambezi Queen is like being on a permanent game viewing vehicle, but with a much higher comfort factor. Situated in the heart of the Chobe region with access to river frontage of the Chobe National Park, we also offer water-based game drives by tender boat, allowing you to experience the enormous diversity and concentration of wildlife up even closer.

Game viewing on the Chobe River is at its most exceptional from March to November when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile as they search for food and water. Summer and spring also offer unique opportunities though, as you watch the landscape burst into life after the first rains of the season. Catch sight of huge herds of elephant as they swim across the water, as well as buffalo, lion, crocodile, lechwe, puku, giraffe, zebra, sable, kudu and the occasional leopard as they gather to quench their thirst at watering holes. Besides animal life, you’ll also see a huge variety of birdlife and plant life as you listen to the sounds of a hippo grunting and breathe in the sweet smell of African grass.

The Chobe is known as a photographer's paradise and for good reason. The soft early morning light and the sunsets at dusk, combined with striking animal behaviour, make for dramatic and unusual photo opportunities. Before your game viewing excursion, remember to apply sunscreen and wear a hat, as temperatures can reach over 40 degrees centigrade. You should also bring along a jacket for the chillier temperatures in the early mornings and evenings.

Enjoy the ultimate in game viewing safari decadence as you sip on a drink and cruise along the river in one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.

No trip to the Chobe is complete without trying your hand at a fishing safari where if you’re lucky, you may even catch a tiger fish. One of the greatest fighting fish in the world, the tiger fish is the most sought after prize of these waters and is known for its ferocious spirit. It's not all about tiger fish though. You may also hook one of the many bream species, African pike, tilapia, catfish or upper Zambezi yellowfish as you explore over 100 kms of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, as well as the winding Kasai Channel and thrilling Chobe and Mambova rapids.

We offer both conventional equipment as well as flyfishing equipment for our fishing safaris, because we know that the area is renowned worldwide for its flyfishing. We supply rods, flies, lures, lines, leaders and reels and all equipment is included in our rate.

Because of our unique location, we offer excellent fishing safaris all year round – from the annual floods starting in March to the feeding frenzies in the winter months. Our highly knowledgeable guides, the tackle and bait we supply as well as well stocked cooler boxes make fishing in Africa an experience to remember. Land an eight pounder or more and earn bragging rights for years to come, as you enjoy a fishing trip that's second to none.

With over 450 species, a mix of terrains and a dramatic African backdrop, the Chobe River is the perfect setting for a highly rewarding birdwatching safari. Birding season starts in September, when the first migrants arrive, boosting the bird population sometimes by 20% compared to the winter months. From December through to March birdlife on the Chobe is extremely busy and the colourful breeding plumage on display is an extraordinary sight.

Experienced birders and even eager amateurs will delight in spotting distinct birds such as African skimmers, rock pratincoles and the African finfoot, either through their binoculars or with the naked eye. Having access to your own knowledgeable guide and tender boat lets you spend many hours on your birding safari also viewing cattle egrets, fish eagles, open-billed storks, lesser-striped swallows, pied kingfishers and the striking carmine bee-eater. The slow drift of the tender boat means that you won’t disturb the peaceful silence and can also get up close to the birds and observe their fascinating behaviour.

Sit patiently and absorb the beauty around you and soon you’ll be rewarded with a unique sighting that you’ll want to photograph. Because you’ll have access to the Chobe National Park and the Caprivi wetlands, you’ll get exposure to a wide variety of species you may have never seen before. The distinct sounds of the call of an African fish eagle mingling with the grunt of hippos will stay with you long after your Chobe River birdwatching safari is over.

Uninterrupted access to wild animals. Absolute silence. Golden light. The Chobe River is an unforgettable photographic safari destination, and one of the wildlife photographers’ hotspots in Africa. To help you capture that perfect moment, our custom-designed photographic safari boats are available on request and cater for 6 clients in individual photographic seats. The boat contains custom-designed swivel chairs that give you greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter. Every seat is equipped with a mounting for resting SLR cameras of all types and you’ll get your own experienced safari guide who’ll help you find that perfect shot.

Bring your own photographic equipment as we don’t supply this - the optimal lens to bring is an 80 - 400mm zoom. Because this is a water-based safari, you'll be able to take unique shots in a safe environment, being able to view the animals in the Chobe National Park surrounded by that magical golden light Africa is renowned for. Tea and coffee will be offered in the morning during the winter months and soft drinks, local beers and wines will be served in the afternoon. Light snacks are also served during your excursion, providing you with a photographic experience that's also about pure comfort.

Departure times are early morning and late afternoon and the safari takes three hours. Please let us know at the time of booking your holiday if you’d like to use our customised photographic safari boat. Capture your stay with breathtaking photos of the unique African landscape and the wild animals that surround you.

One of the best ways to learn more about a country is to experience its culture. A village tour while on board the Zambezi Queen will take you by tender boat to a local Namibian village called Ijambwe, situated on the floodplains of the East Caprivi. Meet village elders and locals and gain a greater understanding of how the inhabitants of this 100-year old village live, including their daily challenges and traditions.

Wear a large sun hat and apply sun lotion, bring a bottle of water with you and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll start by taking a slow, non-strenuous but sandy stroll through the village as you snap a few photographs and meet the Headman of the village as well as his children. The men of the village either fish to provide meals for their families, while the women and younger children perform the chores and produce handmade crafts. Pick up a woven basket, beaded jewellery or a carved wooden animal as a memento from your trip – sales of these crafts empower village inhabitants by helping them earn a living. If you want to give the children of the village gifts, bring along school stationery, books or clothing – all will be highly appreciated. Finally, enjoy a display of traditional dancing and singing at the end and join in the fun!

Morning or Afternoon Boat Cruises take you drifting down the unspoilt Kwando River. You may opt for morning or afternoon boat cruises.

You may wish to enjoy your breakfast on the boat while meandering down the Kwando.

The early morning suns rays reflect off the waters edge, the soothing sound of the water as it is gently broken by the bow of the boat cutting through the waters surface. Our guides steer the boats past varied landscapes of papyrus islands and reed floodplains and get within respectful distances of hippos, crocodiles, other mammals and the varied bird species this area is known for. An informative, yet soulful experience on waterways similar to that of the Okavango Delta.

Morning or afternoon Game Drives within the Bwabwata National Park.

As dawn breaks or the afternoon shadows lengthen our game drives depart to discover the unknown behind every bend within the Bwabwata National Park, uniquely located within the largest Conservation area in the World.
Our guides find the perfect stop to disembark and setup the morning coffee or sundowner refreshment in true legendary African style.

Duration: 3 hours

"As the midday sun retreats and the afternoon shadows lengthen we depart on a journey, an adventure to discover the unknown behind every bend. Observing every branch for a rare endemic bird, to be rewarded instead by an elusive leopard. The silence broken by the deep low rumble vibrating through the bush, which could only belong to a large herd of elephants. Out of nowhere they appear with a focused determination towards the life-giving water up ahead. Knuckles white, as I grip the seat of the game viewer, relishing the moment as a highlight of my journey through Africa."

Walking Safaris are an incredible way to experience the bush in a more personal and energetic way.

Our local guides take great delight in sharing their ancestral repertoire of medicinal uses of the flora along the way and their tales of the wild and their upbringing in this area. It is an experience, which connects and grounds any participant to our Earth.

As we are in a truly natural environment with lion, buffalo, elephants, leopard and other wildlife roaming these plains freely, we discourage guests under the age of 12.

An exclusive evening drive to view the nocturnal wildlife after your sundowner stop back to the Lodge.

A Boat cruise from the Lodge to Sijwa Island, where the Sijwa host will meet our guests and guide them through the project which was established by African Monarch Lodges as part of its endeavor to be sustainable and give back to the community and conservation by protecting the natural resources and developing the local community through a biodiverse economy. It is here where guests will be entertained and be enriched with local culture as they partake in a visit to the cultural village. A walk through the permaculture plants, recycling workshops where waste such as plastic, glass and cans are turned into beautiful artefacts for sale. Guests can buy and plant trees from our indigenous tree nursery to offset their carbon emissions at the project.

The Sijwa Project has a broad vision of empowering the local community by creating jobs, preserving traditional knowledge, teaching skills and conserving the surrounding environment through a variety of proposed activities. With the highest rate of unemployment in Namibia found in the Zambezi Region, the owners of African Monarch Lodges, carefully structured a project that will address some of these problems through a holistic approach. This bold project is multi-faceted and in the end self-sufficient. The Sijwa Project is the re-purposing and re-inventing of all recyclable waste from the African Monarch Lodges and from the local community, into exquisite saleable craft and art. It’s an organic permaculture nursery to supply food for local people and lodge guests (mitigating the air and road miles lodge food usually travels). It’s also a cultural village, artisanal skills training center, a beehive project, a free-range egg scheme and a junior ranger-training venue. Plus, it’s an indigenous tree nursery for visitors to buy and plant a tree to offset their carbon footprint, looked after by a local ‘tree guardian’.

We set a magical bush brunch on a private island under majestic trees which creates an authentic African Experience. Our Chef prepares eggs and bacon on the fire and an elaborate continental buffet is served.

Our management and staff take great pleasure in setting up these special experiences in the bush for our guests who are on honeymoon or celebrating a Birthday or Anniversary as well as for private parties or families travelling together.

For those specials occasions or celebrations we create the perfect experience at sunset at a prime location inside the park.

The famous Horseshoe Lagoon, with its vast herds of elephants is the most sought after spot for a sundowner and fresh homemade healthy snacks after an afternoon’s game drive. The evening’s warm starter is served whilst sitting barefoot in the sand soaking up the breathtaking sunsets together with hippos and large herds of elephants silhouetted over the water. An exclusive night drive, while viewing the nocturnal wildlife, takes you back home where a delicious meal awaits your guest.

Nothing tops a secluded personalized picnic under the canopy of majestic trees in the wild. A bottle of sparkling wine and a freshly prepared organic spread from our kitchen will set the scene for a truly spectacular vintage picnic safari.

Whether you are curious to explore ways to live a more mindful life, whether you would like to compliment your travels with time to rest and rejuvenate or you are a well-practised Yogi seeking to further your own practice - take part in one of our yoga retreats in the heart of the world's largest conservation area, exclusively hosted at Nambwa Tented Lodge. Please contact us to receive a complete itinerary of yoga retreats on offer.

Experience the waterworld of the Kavango on a romantic boat trip as the sun goes down; incl. ½ bottle of champagne per person

Experience catching one of the strongest fighting fresh water fish in the world. 2 persons per boat. Lost lures to be replaced at Lodge, drinks not included. The fishing licence is not included in the rate. Please bring your own fishing licence as licences cannot be obtained at the lodge until further notice.

We will gladly submit a detailed offer for a tailor-made excursion for the enthusiastic fishermen. Available on request.

The Dream Cruiser is Onguma's newest and most unique under the stars sleep-out experience.

Arriving in time to enjoy sundowners and take a tour of your overnight accommodation, this sleep out in the wilderness of the reserve is on our custom built Land Cruiser, featuring a full bathroom on the lower deck and a bedroom with lounge area on the upper deck.

A night on the Dream Cruiser calls for al fresco picnic-style dining is delivered by our chef for you to enjoy as the evening turns to night and the stars dance in all their glory.
A ranger is on call via a two-way radio, so make the most of this time and relax in the safety and complete comfort of this unique space.

After a good night's rest, you can enjoy morning tea/coffee with homemade rusks before being collected for breakfast at the lodge.

Onguma's fabulous new water-level hide affords guests a great opportunity to calmly sit and enjoy nature unobserved. Amateur and professional photographers alike love the angles and light from this equipped hide.

There is a small ablution facility nearby, benches from which to view the surroundings and lots of windows and vantage points for creative camera angles.

Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness & is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species ​and even 4 of the Big 5. ​The Reserve boasts over thirty different animal species. Plains game roam freely on the Reserve and predators although not always easy to spot, are nevertheless common residents of the area. Lions and Cheetahs are frequently seen and often heard. There is a healthy black rhino and leopard population and hyenas are also often seen and heard.

Etosha is a 22 750km² wildlife sanctuary in Namibia – one of Africa’s most stable and accessible countries. Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry water’, and refers to a flat calcrete depression (or pan) of about 5 000km². The ‘Pan’ (overlooked by the Onguma Reserve) provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water only after very good rains and sometimes for only a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.

Africa takes on a new perspective when you experience it on foot as the first explorers did. A bush walk is a unique physical, mental and spiritual adventure through nature. Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Namibian bush by conducting an early morning leisurely walk accompanied by one of our experienced armed rangers.

​Johan, our resident therapist, is a professional massage therapist with over 15 years experience, having lived and worked at renowned Wellness Centres in Asia and Africa. His passion for and dedication to massage therapy originated in the East, where he was trained and educated from the best teachers in their respective fields. Having the opportunity to spend considerable time with monks in Thailand, has also led him to incorporate focused awareness into his massage therapies.

We offer:
- Therapeutic Full Body Massage - 60 min – N$ 850 / 90 min
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage - 60 min
- Back Neck & Shoulder Massage - 45 min – N$ 600 / 60 min
- Head & Face Massage - 45 min
- Thai Foot Massage - 45 min
- Unique Combination of Therapeutic Massage & Thai Yoga Massage - 90 min

The Okonjima Nature Reserve sprawls over 200 square kilometres of undulating plains, mountainous outcrops, and riverine thickets, and it is here that leopard (Panthera pardus), the most adaptable of all the wild cats, thrive. Read more about our Leopard Research.

These intelligent, solitary predators occur in high density in the expanse of Okonjima Nature Reserve’s multi-faceted topography. The Reserve’s predator research programme has spanned three decades, and its findings have provided great insight to leopard behavioral patterns as well as offered an upbeat prognosis for a sustainable future for the species in today’s Africa.

A two-day Okonjima stay offers the best chance to view wild leopard in Namibia, as well as those collared for research purposes, in their natural habitats.

The Okonjima Nature Reserve, a huge protected area set amongst the rugged commercial farmlands of central Namibia, comprises a diversified ecosystem representative of both the larger and small mammals of Namibia, as well as most of the country’s endemic birds.

Game drives and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife and, especially, its most protected species.

The Okonjima Nature Reserve is home to, and runs extensive research projects on rare and endangered species, big and small.

LEOPARD TRACKING

The Leopard ‘experience’ will take you out into the Okonjima Nature Reserve and will allow you to spend more time with our experienced guides and participate in the research data collection for our long-standing leopard project and newly introduced brown hyaena programme. Some of our adult leopards are radio collared which enables the guides to track them with a specialised telemetry device contributing to frequent viewing, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators in their natural habitat and experience the fascinating behaviour and interactions between these two species while they compete for food. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-roaming predators.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.

THE AfriCat FOUNDATION CARNIVORE CARE & INFORMATION CENTRE (ACCC)

During the visit to AfriCat, visitors will have the opportunity to spend some time at the Carnivore Care & Information Centre, which provides valuable insights into the Foundation's work.
The visit will include a short guided drive to the AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre, where visitors can meet some of the ambassador cheetahs. Our knowledgeable guides will answer questions, explain the Foundation's work with carnivores in Namibia, and help position the vehicle for that perfect photo opportunity.

Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.

ENDANGERED SPECIES NATURE DRIVE

This game-drive allows more time to enjoy and understand the Okonjima Nature Reserve as a natural island bound ecosystem. As the private Nature Reserve was established primarily to conserve some of our more threatened mammal species, it provides an increased chance to encounter these relatively rare animals. This is once again assisted by the AfriCat Foundation’s research projects on the shy brown hyaena, bat-eared fox and rhino. There are more than 40 mammal species within the Okonjima Nature Reserve, both large and small as well as a good representation of the typical flora. At the discretion of your guide, there may be the chance to view some of these animals, large or small.

Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.

GAME DRIVE:

Experienced guides will entertain you with their knowledge, sharing interesting and enlightening information about the history of the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the research gathered over the past 30 years of conservation on Okonjima. On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track any of the carnivores researched by the AfriCat Foundation. Wildlife is the focus of the drive. Visitors are offered insight as our guides attempt to foster a general appreciation of the natural habitat of the Nature Reserve.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.