Ichobezi Safari Boat|Impalila Island|Chobe River

The Ichobezi River Boat
Accommodation & activities
Guests board The Ichobezi onto the accommodation deck that comprises six bedrooms, two of which are reserved for your crew.
Each spacious double guest bedroom can be configured either as twin or double and has en-suite bathroom facilities and sliding windows opening onto the water. In order to prevent mosquitoes from entering the rooms, each window is spanned by a transparent mosquito screen. Electricity (220V and 12V) is supplied to each bedroom, ensuring the functionality of all electric shavers, dryers and lights. Spacious cupboards with shelves and hanging space are provided in each bedroom.
Cuisine and Refreshments
Our onboard chef, Given, will be sure to delight you with his mouthwatering cuisine. After the early morning activities of game viewing or fishing, a brunch is served on the upper deck in a relaxed atmosphere. A three course dinner is served in the evening amidst the sounds of Africa, and would typically consist of either fish, beef or chicken as a main course. Special dietary requirements can be met, provided that the request is supplied to us at least two weeks in advance. If guests so choose, a braai (barbeque) can be arranged under the stars on the entertainment deck. The bar is fully stocked with South African and Namibian wines and beers, as well as a large selection of spirits and liqueurs.
Please be sure to advise us at least two weeks in advance of your cruise of any specific drink that you would like stocked on The Ichobezi. Bottled water and soft drinks are also readily available.

Game Viewing
Game viewing by boat into the Chobe National Park is a remarkable experience where huge herds of elephants come down to drink together with an extensive array of other game such as buffalo, giraffe, leopard, lion, kudu, waterbuck, puku, lechwe, impala and baboons.
The evening boat trip provides the guest with the unforgettable experience of witnessing a true African sunset, while being surrounded by herds of elephant and sipping on a cold sundowner.
Bird watching
Bird watching is a year round pleasure with over 400 recorded species and a combination of water birds and woodland birds on the island. It is an excellent place to see all the summer migrants from September through to March.
There is a wide variety of habitats covered by the vessels and all guides are competent birders.

Fishing
Our excellent guides are internationally known for their success in landing Tigerfish, especially when fly-fishing. For the novice fisherman, landing a Tiger is an accomplishment to aspire to and will undoubtedly provide memorable stories for years to come. Other species of fish which may be landed include Tilapia, Largemouth bream, Catfish and Squeakers. The Ichobezi has fishing access to over 30 km of Chobe River, over 120 km of Zambezi River and many kilometers of waterways in the Kasai and Indibe wetlands. Each of these areas offers a different fishing experience. Guests have access to a series of good quality boats all with large motors, including a jet boat for the rapids and rocky areas. The major fishing attraction is Tigerfish. These legendary fighters are equipped with an extraordinarily large tail and a specialized bone structure, allowing them to accelerate like a rocket and hit your bait like no other fish of equal size. Their teeth are formidable and they prey on other fish up to 40% of their own weight. They grow up to 16 lbs but even 4 lbs specimens fight like champions.

Tiger are essentially a summer fish being more active in the warmer water, so the traditional season is September through to February when the rivers are low and clear. We do however have a short window period in June when the water is coming off the flood plains and the Tiger are feeding well.

We do catch a range of bream (Yellow bellied, Thin face, Hump back) both with conventional tackle and on fly - they measure up to 3 kgs and, being predatory fish, give a good account of themselves. We also target Barbel (catfish) which measure up to 15 kgs. We do fish from the banks and rocks in the rapids but are always careful about the potential hazard of crocodiles. When guests arrive they are allocated a guide and boat and then free to do whatever fishing they would like for the duration of their stay aboard The Ichobezi.

Excursions by Mekoro
Mekoros (dugout canoes) can drift into the small islands which exist in the Chobe River and form part of the rapid system. The experienced polers are also knowledgeable in all the various bird species to be found during the trip. This activity is influenced by river conditions
Guided walks
Walks can be arranged on Impalila Island and on the Namibian mainland. These are very interesting as there is a varied ecology and the villages offer an insight into traditional African life. From the top of an ancient Baobab tree on Impalila Island one can view the meeting place of the four countries - Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana - Sunset Cruises
Ask the crew to pack a cooler for you before departing by tenderboat to experience the splendor of an African sunset.