The Mantis group introduces their latest exclusive experience, the Zambezi Queen.
This luxurious 45 meter floating boutique hotel situated on Botswana and Namibia’s great Chobe River will now offer clients another once in a lifetime experience.
Guests can now experience the thrill of an African safari from their own private suite aboard this luxurious 45 meter boat. There can be few natural wonders as synonymous with Africa's raw wilderness as this stretch of untamed waters. The Chobe River divides Botswana's Chobe National Park from Namibia Caprivi Strip and its exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent.
This National Park is teeming with life and sprawls across about 11 000 km² of lush African bush. It is home to the largest populace of Elephants in the world, currently estimated at about 120, 000. Along with the Elephants, prides of Lion, Leopard, huge herds of Buffalo and numerous species of antelope can be seen on the river banks, with hippos and crocodiles in the waters alongside. It is on this great expanse of water that an adventure unlike any other awaits.
The Zambezi Queen operates in 5-star luxury, where the essence is about pampering, indulgence, and personalised comfort in the heart of African wilderness. Offering 10 Suites and 4 Master Suites, all en-suite with king or twin beds, private balconies and fans for those hot summer afternoons, full length sliding shutters for privacy and protection from the sun, sliding mosquito net doors and the finest finishes.
Adrian Gardiner, CEO of the Mantis Group says “We are thrilled to introduce the Zambezi Queen to our collection. This will add yet another totally unique experience on offer to our Mantis clients. Going forward we plan to expand our collection of properties to all 7 continents of the world.
“We wish to attach a five star hospitality component to some of the world's must-see wonders. The next opportunity for us is to be able to offer this unique game viewing experience from Africa's newest luxurious yacht on the Chobe River. In the future we will look further afield to include the Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon Jungle, the Tigers and mystical palaces of India and the towering mountains of Nepal.
“This growth will follow the underlying philosophy of our Group's mantra ‘Conserving a Vanishing Way of Life’ and as we expand into these key regions, it will be carried out in a responsible and ecological manner, supporting the local environment through community development projects, conservation of wildlife and the natural resources of the region”
Sustainable, responsible tourism lies at the heart of the Zambezi Queen. One of the major concerns is the preservation of this unspoilt area. The boat has therefore been designed and built to very specific requirements. It does not use conventional propellers but a jet propulsion system which reduces damage to the river bed and enables the boat to operate in very shallow water. At night it switches over to a low emission power system for lighting, refrigerators and other requirements.
This unique system will allow guests to enjoy the sounds of the bush, undisturbed by the unwanted sounds of modern technology. All hot water requirements are provided by solar panels which transfers the sun's heat to storage boilers. Taps and showers incorporate the most advanced water saving designs available and all used water is stored in holding tanks, so as to prevent discharging directly into the river.
Of the vessel's three levels, the first boasts an air-conditioned lounge, coupled with a small library. The remainder of the first and the entire second level contain the 14 luxury suites. On the third and highest level is an entertainment deck with dining facilities, unobstructed views, telescope for exploring the African night-time sky, an open-plan lounge and a stylish bar stocked with the finest wines and spirits.
All areas are protected by mosquito screens, which allow for a comfortable and pleasant environment for relaxing and dining. Two outside areas on the top deck include a shaded area with seating and a plunge pool and sun bathing area.
A two or three-night stay on Zambezi Queen includes collection from either Botswana immigrations at Kasane on the banks of Chobe River or Impilila airstrip across the Namibian border. Special arrangements can be made for other land transfer requirements. Included in the price are all meals prepared by talented chefs; drinks with meals and during game drives ;water-based game viewing on smaller boats enabling close-up viewing in an environment where the animals feel comfortable; land-based 4x4 game viewing in Botswana's Chobe National Park; tiger fishing in season; bird watching from smaller boats and land-based cultural tours of local villages.
A dedicated team of experienced guides, chefs and hands-on staff will ensure a memorable experience for all guests.
For all reservation enquiries please contact the Zambezi Queen team by email on [email protected] or by phone on +27 (0) 21 438 0032 / +27 (0) 83 309 3874 or visit their website on www.zambeziqueen.com.