Pangolin Voyager – Exclusive Charter

Mornings on the Chobe River are quite simply stunning. Very few boats venture out onto the river until later so it seems like you have the whole park to yourself! Keen photographers will want to be up and onto the photo boat for first light so we arrange for coffees and light breakfast snacks to be available 30 minutes before sunrise. Your guide will pack coffee, tea and “rusks” into the hotbox for the morning cruise and then you will set off in search of photographic subjects in beautiful early morning light.

On these morning cruises you will see plenty of hippo grazing out of the water, crocs hauling themselves out onto the banks, a multitude of bird species and even some larger mammals like buffalo and elephant grazing on the softer grasses along the river banks. For guests not wanting such an early start then the coffee will stay warm and ready for you and you are invited to enjoy the first morning rays of sunshine from the rooftop deck with binoculars perhaps whenever you are ready.

We normally return from the morning photo boat excursion around 09.30 (depending on the season) to enjoy a hearty cooked breakfast as we set off to cruise to our next mooring point along the river.

We have three very separate, well-spaced, mooring points along the river and intend to spend each night at a different location – water levels permitting of course. The time between the mooring points can take several hours of relaxed cruising especially if we encounter something that we need to stop and see. The beauty of a private charter is that the 8-seater photo boat is on call for you to use throughout the day especially if you chance upon a sighting that you want to get closer to. Otherwise the upper deck and lounge (with floor to ceiling glass on three sides) make for great vantage points to relax and enjoy the world go by during the heat of the day.

Should you require any refreshments during the day you need only ask a member of the crew and it will be organised straight away. The houseboat is chartered on an all-inclusive basis so you can have whatever you like to drink and eat throughout the day. It’s all included in the charter price.

Around midday you have the option of a couple of excursions. Perhaps you would like to visit a local village or maybe stretch your legs with a walk on one of the islands. Depending on what’s available nearby to the next mooring the crew will advise you each day of your options at breakfast. One activity not included in the charter is fishing for which we use a specialist operator with all the rods and lures you would need as well as the local seasonal knowledge of where best to fish. This can be arranged but there will be an additional charge for this activity.

Alternatively the dining table makes for an excellent “editing table” for some post production sessions and there is a large screen tv for workshops and slide shows.

In the mid-afternoon we organize a delicious (light) high tea featuring sweet and savoury dishes to tide you over until dinner. Tea and coffee is served along with any other beverages you might desire.

Around 4pm you will set off in the photo boat for the afternoon game viewing and photography session.

For guests travelling with camera gear, specifically larger lenses with lens collars, you will be supplied with a base plate to attach your camera to the custom photo mounts on your chair. If you are just general game viewing without a big camera this mounting system can be removed from the rotating chairs on the boat to give you more room to relax.

The afternoons on The Chobe are very special and when you tend to see more of the larger herds of elephants coming to the river to slake their thirst after a long day in the heat feeding. It is also the time that we tend to see more big cats as they arise from their slumber to prepare for the nights hunting.

The guides on the Pangolin Voyager have lived in the area all their lives and know the river intimately. If there is anything in particular you want to see or try and find then all you have to do is ask them and they will do their best to get you that sighting. They love a challenge!

Onboard we will have a cooler box filled with your preferred sundowner drinks and ice to enjoy along with a few snacks.

We return the Pangolin Voyager just after sunset to freshen up before meeting on the deck for a pre-dinner drink and to watch the African night sky reveal itself.

Dinner is a three-course affair served at the dining table in the lounge. All the ingredients are locally sourced and lovingly prepared by the chefs – Sabrina and Melody.

After dinner you are free to relax in the lounge or up on the deck for some star gazing before turning in for a good night’s sleep and the next day onboard your private houseboat.

The charter rates for 2023 are as follows:

Jan – March & November, December: $2,995 per night

April to October: $5,450 per night

Charter can commence on any day of the week. Minimum two nights. Maximum 8 guests.

Unlike the Pangolin Chobe Hotel we don’t have cameras available for you to use on the houseboat however this can be arranged along with a private photographic host to accompany them. They will occupy the fifth cabin (leaving four others for your group) and be on hand throughout to assist you and guide you with your wildlife photography and post production sessions during the charter. There is an extra charge for this and our safari planner will happily explain the options for you.