Ichobezi (Chobe Princess) safari boat stay -Chobe River, Namibia

Some background info - When planning our African holiday we wanted to finish with a river cruise - we like river cruising. Tried to book the Zambezi Queen - but were booking about a year out and they said come back in 6 months and we will let you know what is available. That wasn't what we wanted to hear - like to know where we will be when booking airfares etc. Looked around and found the Ichobezi safari boats (now called Chobe Princess safariboat) in the same location on the Chobe river and were able to book straight away. Incidentally, all 4 river boats are now owned by the Mantis group who own the Zambezi Queen.

This turned out to be the perfect end to a very hectic holiday. Very laid back and relaxing. We were met on time at the Kasane (Botswana ) immigration post and our luggage and ourselves were placed in a runabout (this would be our boat and guide for the duration on our stay) taken downstream to the Namibia immigration post - 100 meters up a dirt track - passport stamped and back to the runabout for the trip to where the houseboat was moored. All 4 boats are registered in Namibia (River is the border) so everyone has to do this.

When we arrived at the boat we were shown our cabin -there are 4 on this boat ZQ has 14 and Zambezzi princess somewhere in between. We were shown our lifejackets and told -you won't need these -too true -who wants to be bobbing around with crocs and hippos in the water.

Lunch was ready and the other guests said help yourself to a drink from the fridge/bar. the bar was stocked with local beer/wine and ciders and softdrink/mixers and 10 or so different spirits -it was help yourself. There was also a thermos with coffee and hot water available. Lunch was served - no choice but plenty of good basic food - lasagne, salad, bread and dessert. During lunch the boat moved to a new mooring spot. there are no ports etc just different spots to moor along the river (on the namibian side) Chobe Nat park is on the opposite bank of the river.

Activities were a game drive, village visit or fishing - all on your private runabout. and that is how the days panned out.

Cabin had a king bead or could be king singles own bathroom, air con, large window. we were woken by hippos in the morning.

Animals seen elephants, buffalo, impala, kudo, baboon, vervet monkeys, hippos, crocs , monitor lizards and many many birds - did I mention elephants and buffalo?