Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge Katima Mulilo

Features of Caprivi Houseboat
Caprivi Houseboat Safaris is a small owner run operation offering personlized service.
We are based on the banks of the Zambezi River, approximately 7km outside Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi Region of Namibia, Southern Africa.
Here we offer accommodation and boating activities which include, sunset cruises, day cruises, overnight safaris and angling and birding excursions. Depending on your itinerary a suitable package can be arranged for each client.

Our boats are 7.5m aluminum Outback’s powered by 75hp outboard engines. With two roof top tents and a bunk bed on the lower deck each boat accommodates up to six guests. On board is a small kitchenette with a gas stove, basin and fridge, the dining area, hot water shower and toilet. The boats are equipped with all the necessary kitchenware and camping equipment and a basic medical kit and life jackets are available on board.
An assistant who will mainly serve as skipper will accompany you. At night he will go to shore and set up his own tent separately. Knowledgeable guides for specialized safari’s can also be arranged to assist in making your stay with us an angler/birders paradise.

A tender boat can be rented for specialized angling excursion and fishing tackle is also available for rent.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: The Caprivi Region is a malaria area so preventative medication is advised. Find out from your family doctor or local travel clinic on suitable available products.

Some ideas of what to do at Caprivi Houseboat

Angling
With a myriad of fish species abundant in the Zambezi River, ample angling opportunities are on offer. Famous for its tiger fish and bream, the river promises to challenge and enthrall both the angling enthusiast and the novice.

In close proximity to the lodge there are excellent tiger waters at the Wenela rapids and other rock beds. By staying at the lodge these waters prove an easy morning's or afternoon's angling.

Other angling waters are covered, up to 40 - 60km from our base, with good tiger and bream angling spots. This is possible to do in a day trip returning to the lodge at night or otherwise to camp for a night or two with the safari boats as base camp along the Zambezi River.

Best angling times run from late April through to January for tiger fish and catfish species and from June through to November for the bream species.

Angling boats can be rented on a half or full day basis. All boats hired are accompanied by a skipper

Knowledgeable guides for specialized angling / birding safaris can also be arranged to assist in making your stay with us an angler/birders paradise.

Birding
Truly a birders paradise, the Caprivi is home to over 400 wetland and woodland bird species. Regular visitors to our garden, to name just a few, are the endemic and rare Schalow’s Turaco, White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot, Collared Sunbird, Wood Owl, Marsh Owl and Swamp Boubou.

In close proximity to our lodge you can view the Rock Pratincole and maybe catch a glimpse of Hippo Island's resident Pel’s Fishing Owl. Other specials in the area include the Slaty Egret, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Souza’s Shrike, Copper Sunbird, Rosy Throated Longclaw and African Skimmer.

Great flocks of Carmine Bee-eaters also frequent the area during their breeding season from September to October, their nesting sites an incredible sight to see.

Game Viewing

The Zambezi River
The Zambezi River is the fourth largest river system in Africa. Beginning its journey as an insignificant little spring in the northwest corner of Zambia it runs for a length of 2700km through six countries before finally completing its fascinating journey in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. For 130km this river forms the border between Namibia and Zambia.
Game viewing on the Zambezi is limited to mainly hippos and crocodiles. Although, through July to November, when the river levels are at its lowest, several herds of elephant can be seen cooling down in the waters of the Zambezi.

The Chobe River
Forming the southern border between the Eastern Caprivi and Botswana, the Chobe River meanders eastwards to meet the Zambezi River at Kazangula. Travel from the Zambezi River, through the Casaia channel and into the Chobe River at Impalila Island, making your way into magical waters at the edge of the Chobe National Park.
Here you can enjoy the abundance of wildlife that makes this area famous. Being on the river gives a new dimension to game viewing – the animals showing an almost fearless disdain for a floating object - and allows you to come closer to a large variety of game including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, sable antelope, hippo and crocodile and many more species of buck. Numerous bird species also add to nature’s unending display.

Other Attractions
In close proximity to three other countries, day trips and transfers can be arranged to the Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Ngonye Falls and the Bwabwata, Mamili and Madumu National Parks.

Sunset Cruises
Relax with a refreshing cold drink whilst enjoying a spectacular sunset over the Zambezi River.
You might most likely spot some hippos and if you're really lucky, crocodiles, otters in addition to the many bird species gracing the Zambesi River.

Half and Full day cruises
Enjoy a leisurely day on the Zambezi with an optional picnic or braai lunch along the riverbank.
You will be able to spot hippos and loads of birds with some rare sightings possible. On a lucky day otters and crocodiles might also show themselves.

With us being in close proximity to three other countries, day trips and transfers can be arranged to the following:
Chobe National Park,
Victoria Falls,
Ngonye (Sioma) Falls
and our local parks; the Bwabwata, Nkasa Lupala (Mamili) and Mudumu National Parks.

DIRECTIONS
The lodge is easily accessible by road with good tarred roads leading in from Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. Follow the B8 en route to the Botswana (Ngoma) border from Katima Mulilo for approximately 6km, turn left on the gravel road, our entrance is 800m on your left.

GPS Coordinates:
E024.32411
S 17.49507

Airports in the vicinity:
Mpacha Airport, Katima Mulilo, Namibia - transfer 25km
Kasane Airport, Kasane, Botswana - transfer 120km
Livingstone Airport, Livingstone, Zambia - transfer 200km
Victoria Falls Airport, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - transfer 120kmm

Transfers can be arranged to and from each of these airports.

Climate
The Caprivi Region is more tropical than any of Namibia's other regions and enjoys a higher rainfall and warmer winter than the rest of the country. The rain season runs from late November to late February, with the Zambezi River's levels rising during this time, dropping again to it's lowest during October and November.

Special Notes
Namibia changes to winter time from the first weekend in April to the first weekend in September (CAT less one hour). HOWEVER due to geographical location the Caprivi remains on Central African Time all year round (one hour ahead of Namibian WInter Time).

Please be aware the Caprivi is a malaria area, please consult your local GP or travel clinic about a suitable prophylaxis.

Email Caprivi Houseboat enquiries and reservations: booknamibia@madbookings.com