African Queen us a two-decked pontoon type houseboat designed as a family boat.

Passengers : 

10 in Cabins and two on mattress on top deck. MAX PAX 12 + 3 crew members

Accommodation

Cabin 1 has a double bed, Cabin 2 has a two single beds, Cabin 3 has a two single beds and Cabin 4 has two sets of bunk

beds. All rooms have cupboard space and are not air- conditioned but the rooms face out towards the water.
There is a portable air-conditioner in Cabin 1.

All cabins are located on the lower deck and both have secure safety railings.

Please ensure all your valuables are stored away. There is a small safe with combination or key available on the boat.   Please use this.

Conveniences

There are two toilets complete with showers, and hand basins with hot water supplied by a gas geysers.

Facilities 

On the upper deck is usually where meals are served under a covered area, there is a fully equipped bar with an ice machine

and rest lounge which has two sofas. A CD player is available which is ipod compatible so you can play the ipod (please bring own cd’s/ Ipod and cable). All crockery, cutlery and linen are supplied.
Clients are to provide their own toilet paper and cleaning materials. i.e. sunlight liquid, toilet spray, soap etc.

We have a splash pool on the top deck which has a shade cloth cover.

There is also a cold shower on the Bermuda deck.

Kitchen Facilities 

A fully equipped kitchen with crockery, cutlery, gas stove and oven, 2 x deep freezes run off a 8,5kva Diesel generator stored on back the boat on lower deck.

Also situated on the back deck is a gas braai and a wood braai (clients to provide own wood, charcoal, fire lighters etc).

Breakages
All breakages of property of the African Queen will be for the account of the person hiring the houseboat.
Breakages are to be paid for BEFORE disembarking the boat.

Tender Boats
There are two tender boats with outboard engines to cater for your fishing, game viewing and sunset cruises.One Tender is an Osprey and other one a pontoon (the CREW are the only persons allowed to drive these tender boats).

Cold Storage 
There are two large deep freezers in the kitchen area for meat etc and any fish caught during fishing. There is a large cooler box situated on the upper deck for storage of drinks etc. The clients are required to provide their own ice for freezers and drinks.

Crew : Captain, chef, deckhand all in own quarters

Weather conditions
on lake Kariba change very quickly, it is a strict condition of your house boat hire agreement that you and members of your party understand the following:
1. In the Captains opinion if the weather changes and shows signs of developing into a life threatening storm or threatens the safety of the house boat, the decision not to proceed and find suitable docking facilities is final and the captain will not be questioned against his judgement. 2. Houseboat to be moored in a safe and suitable berth at least half and hour before sunset NO NIGHT TRAVELLING PERMITED.

PLEASE BE ADVISED:
National Parks fees  – that you will be required to pay entry and fishing fees to the National Parks before boarding the houseboat, these must be paid in cash.

Also please insist on a receipt. They are very strict and you can either pay these in Harare or at the Harbour before you leave or they will make you pay a fine.

The captain and crew are there to make sure your stay aboard the houseboat is as comfortable as possible. Their employment contract has a strict NO ALCOHOL ONBOARD THE HOUSEBOAT OR WHILST ON CHARTER, so please do not encourage crew to partake in any alcohol as this will result in their immediate dismissal.

Fuel required as per table below 
Houseboat – Diesel  

1 night charter may only go as far as- Antelope or Zebra Island – 75 litres
2 night charter may only go as far as- Nyodza / Palm bay or the above – 150 litres
3 night charter may only go as far as- Palm bay / Sanyati West – 200 Litres
4 night charter may only go as far as- Gordon’s Bay – 275 Litres
5 night charter may only go as far as- Elephant point – 325 Litres 6 night charter may only go as far as- Umi River – 450 Litres
Clients to refuel and pay at the end of the charter.
Clients to do a dip check with Captain before leaving the harbour.

PLEASE NOTE : An extra 25 litres needs to be added for the boat to go and collect fuel

Generator diesel –  The generator has a full tank (50 litres). Usage approximately 10 litres per day. Please note that if you feel you need more, please make arrangements to carry more with you. Clients will have to pay and refuel at the end of the charter.

Tender Boats – petrol and oil
There is 50 litres petrol on board and outboard oil. Clients are to refuel and pay at the end of the charter. If you feel you will need more petrol please make arrangements for more fuel on board.

Very important rules to follow departures and returns
All charters will leave the harbour at 12:00 pm on the first day of charter and will return by 9:30am on the last day of the charter. Except when there is a back to back charter on the same day as your return, then the boat will have to be back in harbour by latest 8.00am.

Fires : UNDER NO circumstance are fires to be made on the lake shoreline.

Noise levels : Please be considerate, and keep noise levels to a minimum, especially when you are on the shoreline of Matusadona National Park or close to other house boats.