About the Shayamanzi Houseboat
Shayamanzi II
Is a 30 meter by 8.6 meter, double pontoon houseboat. She is a dream cruiser with 3 levels, 6 crew and 3 tender boats.
There are 6 cabins, each sleeping 2 passengers, which are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. The cabins are large and airy with large sliding window doors as your boundary to the water. There are another four spacious en-suite cabins downstairs with two generous sized viewing windows. These cabins have a lounge area, which is convertible for additional bedding for family accommodation. All the cabins on the Shayamanzi II are air-conditioned.
Cruising
Cruising in style at 5 knots, Shayamanzi passengers enjoy different anchorages each evening. The boat is fully serviced with a world-class crew who will ensure you delicious meals, a safe cruise, great fishing, game viewing and bird watching of more than 350 species.
Shayamanzi is registered by SAMSA (South African Marine Authority) to carry 100 passengers and thus ideal for group day cruises or weddings.
Facilities
The water system is top class resulting in a hot pressurized shower. There are plug points in the rooms for use with hair dryers and other electrical devices.
The cabins are fitted with adjustable fans, window gauze above the glass doors and mosquito netting.
Activities
By hiring both the boats, there is accommodation for 32 passengers in twin cabins or by utilising the top decks, a maximum of 40 passengers can be accommodated. A bridge will be erected when on anchorage so that guests can mingle between the 2 boats.
Double pontoon tender boats accompany the houseboat on her cruise. These are used by the passengers to explore the Lake's secret coves for fishing or game viewing purposes and are skippered by the Shayamanzi crew.
The area is a birder's paradise hosting over 350 species of bush birds, raptors and water birds. Set against the Lebombo Mountains, the Lake becomes a breeding zone for cormorants, herons, ducks, storks and many more. Between May and November there is a fantastic hive of activity not to be missed.
Other land activities can be enjoyed whereby we link up with the surrounding lodge's and their game drives, elephant monitoring, rhino walks and half day cultural outings into rural Zululand.
Tiger Fishing
Lake Jozini is the only water in South Africa where you find the ferocious fighting Tiger Fish, an African game fish, which sends you thrills as it jumps out the water, throwing his head from side to side trying to get off your line. Tackle and rods are available for hire.
The Lake is surrounded by the Pongola Game Reserve and Phongolo Nature Reserve, which provide spectacular game viewing from the water's edge. The Reserves are teaming with a large variety of wildlife which can be viewed from the Shayamanzi decks or the tender boats.
Optional Activities:
- Game Drives
- Horse Riding
- Guided Rhino Walk
- Elephant Monitoring
- Mountain Biking
- Botanical Mountain Hike
- Tour the Pongolapoort Lake dam wall
- Gem Stone trail
Boat details at a Glance
- 3 Levels
- 6 Air-conditioned, en-suite luxury cabins
- 4 Air-conditioned, en-suite pontoon cabins
- 6 Crew
- 3 Tender boats
- 12 Seater Jacuzzi
- Sleeps 20 passengers
Shayamanzi - Typical Routes
Routes
- Day 1: (Yellow): Tiger Lodge to Hippo Bay.
- Day 2: (White): Hippo Bay to Nkwazi Bay..
- Day 3: (Blue): Nkwazi Bay to Tiger Lodge.<
The Game Reserves surrounding Lake Jozini host many animal species which can be seen in herds from Shayamanzi's decks: White and Black Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodile, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Zebra, Kudu, Nyala, Bushbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, Common Reedbuck, Red Duiker, Grey Duiker, Waterbuck, Steenbuck, Suni Antelope, Black Backed Jackal, Hyena, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Cerval Cat, Warthog, Bushpig, Banded Mongoose, Legavaan, Terrapin and the occasional sighting of Leopard which roam the slopes of the Lebombo Mountain Range.
The muddy plains and reed banks provide excellent breeding grounds for the waterbirds which can be seen in thousands - Whistling Duck, Yellowbilled Storks, Spurwing and Egyptian Geese, Commorants, various Herons, Kingfishers, and several Fish Eagles.
Along the entire Western bank is the magnificent Lebombo Mountain Range. One of the evening anchorages may be a night in the Gorge. Here the Mountains rise either side of you, covered in indigenous cycads and ferns and where the glo-flies make a spectacular show along the shoreline.
Other overnight anchorages are in the River and at Mosquito Bay; both great fishing areas and very well positioned for game viewing.
Shayamanzi II
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Max Guests: 2
3 Levels, 6 Air-conditioned, en-suite luxury cabins, 4 Air-conditioned, en-suite pontoon cabins, 6 Crew, 3 Tender boats, 12 Seater Jacuzzi, Sleeps 20 passengers
There are 6 comfortable luxury cabins, each sleeping 2 passengers, which are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. The cabins are large and airy with large sliding window doors as your boundary to the water. There are another 4 smaller pontoon en-suite cabins on the lowest deck with two port hole viewing windows. These cabins also have a small seating area, which is convertible for additional bedding for young children.
Rates
Next Social Cruise Dates
Next Individual Cabin Bookings Available
- Departs: Sunday 10 March/ return: Wednesday 13 March 2024
- Departs: Friday 27 September/ return: Friday 30 September 2024
- Departs: Tuesday 24 Tuesday/ return: Friday 27 December 2024
3 Nights
- Departs: Monday 9 September/ return: Wedenesday 11 Monday 2024
- Departs: Wednesday 17 July/ return: Friday 11 July 2024
- Departs: Friday 18 October/ return: Sunday 20 October 2024
2 Nights
Weekdays: Sunday to Thursday.
Pontoon Cabins
- Per person sharing from: R 2 600 per night
- Single occupancy from: R 3 385 per night
- Child 6-12 from: R 1 300 per night
Deluxe cabins
- Per person sharing from: R 3 465 per night
- Single occupancy from: R 4 510 per night
- Child 6-12 from: R 1 735 per night
Weekends
Pontoon Cabins
- Per person sharing from: R 2 860 per night
- Single occupancy from: R 3 645 per night
- Child 6-12 from: R 1 430 per night
Deluxe cabins
- Per person sharing from: R 3 950 per night
- Single occupancy from: R 4 995 per night
- Child 6-12 from: R 1 975 per night
Includes
- Deluxe or Pontoon cabin accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, teas and coffees
- Tiger fishing and game viewing from tender boats.
- Fishing rods and Tackle
Excludes
- Drinks fron the bar
- Lunch on day of arrival and departure
- Optional staff gratuity
25 - 28 September - 3 night Cruise
3 night charter Charter
- Deluxe Cabin: R 15 800 per person sharing per night
- Pontoon Cabin: R 11 440 per person sharing per night
Notes
- Valid for specified dates only.
Includes
- Deluxe or Pontoon cabin accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, teas and coffees
- Tiger fishing and game viewing from tender boats.
- Fishing rods and Tackle
Excludes
- Drinks from the bar
- Lunch on day of arrival and departure
- Optional staff gratuity
Charters: Weekday Rates
Valid: 1 July 2024 - 28 February 2025
Nightly Charters
- Per night chartered: R 32 500 excluding meals
- Meals added: R 825 per night
- With 20 people sharing 6 Deluxe cabins and 4 Pontoon Cabins it works out to:
- Per person sharing: R 2 450 per night
Notes
- Valid Sunday to Thursday. Excludes Public Holidays.
- Only valid for 2 and 3 night cruises
Includes
- Deluxe or Pontoon cabin accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, teas and coffees
- Tiger fishing and game viewing from tender boats.
- Fishing rods and Tackle
Excludes
- Drinks from the bar
- Lunch on day of arrival and departure
- Optional staff gratuity
Charters: Weekend/ Public Holiday Rates
Valid: 1 July 2024 - 28 February 2025
Nightly Charters
- Per night chartered: R 39 500 excluding meals
- Meals added: R 825 per night
- With 20 people sharing 6 Deluxe cabins and 4 Pontoon Cabins it works out to:
- Per person sharing: R 2 800 per night
Notes
- Valid Friday/ Saturday and all Public Holidays.
- Only valid for 2 and 3 night cruises
Includes
- Deluxe or Pontoon cabin accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, teas and coffees
- Tiger fishing and game viewing from tender boats.
- Fishing rods and Tackle
Excludes
- Drinks fron the bar
- Lunch on day of arrival and departure
- Optional staff gratuity
Inclusions and Exclusions
All Rates Include:
- Breakfast : Each day, a continental style breakfast is offered from early in the morning, with a hearty brunch served after fishing with bottomless tea and coffee.
- Snacks are served during the day.
- Lunch : Lunch is a light affair and is served around 13h00. Lunch on day of arrival is not included, but may be enjoyed at the Jozini Tiger Lodge.
- Dinner : Dinner is served around 19h00, 3 Courses and the last night of the cruise is a traditional South African Braai.
- Fishing rods and tackle
- Filtered drinking water - bottled water can be purchased from the bar
- Tender boat "game drives"
- Tender boat fishing
- Secure parking at Jozini Tiger Lodge and transfers
Rates Exclude:
- All drinks. Drinks can be purchased from the bar
Child Policy
- Children 5 and over are suitable for this type of cruise.
- Exclusive use charters have no age restriction but please note that unattended children are likely to be a danger to themselves and other guests. There are very few "safe" spaces for small children on board.