About the Shayamanzi Houseboats
Shayamanzi I | Shayamanzi II | Cruising | Facilities | Activities
Northern KwaZulu Natal has many natural and splendid beauties, but little can compare with the superb wildlife to be seen on the shores of Lake Jozini (also known as Pongolapoort Lake). On board Shayamanzi Houseboat, soak up the stunning scenery of the Lebombo Mountains and Pongola Game Reserve. Enjoy calm serenity on the water or the thrill of Tiger fishing!
Shayamanzi I
is a 25 meter by 8 meter, double pontoon houseboat. She has 4 crew and 2 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.
For bigger groups up to 16 passengers, sleeper couches on the top deck are used to accommodate an extra 4 people who then share an ablution facility.
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 so the ladies have the luxury of blow-drying their hair after stepping out the shower or jacuzzi.
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
Shayamanzi I
- 6 Air-conditioned, en-suite cabins
- 4 Crew
- 2 Tender boats
- 8 Seater Jacuzzi
- Sleeps 12 passengers
Shayamanzi II
- 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
> 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 I
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Max Guests: 12
6 En-suite cabins, 4 Crew, 2 Tender boats, 8 Seater Jacuzzi, Sleeps 12 passengers.
There are 6 luxury cabins, each sleeping 2 passengers, which are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. The cabins are 3,6m x 3,5m and airy with large sliding window doors as your boundary to the water. For bigger groups, the Shayamanzi 1 can accommodate up to 12 passengers.
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
Exclusive Private Charters | 1 July 2021 - 30 April 2022
Shayamanzi I
Exclusive charter from: R 27 000 per night
For 1 - 12 guests, in 6 Deluxe Cabin
Shayamanzi II
Exclusive charter from: R 35 500 per night
For 1 - 20 guests, in 6 Deluxe Cabins and 4 Pontoon Cabins
Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, tea and coffee) are excluded from above rates and can be added at R600 per person, per night chartered on both Shayamanzi I & II
INCLUDES:
Superb crew, fully serviced accommodation, game viewing and tiger fishing from skippered tender boats, fishing rod and tackle, fuel and diesel, transfers from Jozini Tiger Lodge to the Houseboats, secure vehicle parking at Jozini Tiger Lodge.
EXCLUDES:
Drinks, lunch on day of arrival, optional staff gratuity
Individual Cabin Reservations | 1 July 2021 - 30 April 2022
Shayamanzi I
Deluxe Cabin, Per person sharing from: R 3 150 per night
Deluxe Cabin, Single occupancy from: R 4 100 per night
Child under 12 from: R 1 575 per night
Shayamanzi II
Deluxe Cabin, Per person sharing from: R 3 150 per night
Deluxe Cabin, Single from: R 4 100 per night
Child under 12 from: R 1 575 per night
Pontoon Cabins, Per person sharing from: R 2 360 per night
Pontoon Cabins, Single occupancy from: R 3 075 per night
Child under 12 from: R 1 180 per night
INCLUDES:
Crew, game viewing, fuel and diesel, transfers from Jozini Tiger Lodge to the Houseboats, secure vehicle, parking at Jozini Tiger Lodge, welcome drink, on arrival, Brunch / Dinner / Snacks, tea and coffee.
EXCLUDES:
Drinks, lunch on day of arrival, 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 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.
Terms and Conditions
Rates Notes
Shayamanzi Houseboats Jozini, Pongola, North KZN
per person/night from R 2 055Moored at Jozini Tiger Lodge, Available for Exclusive Charters, Tiger fishing in season, jacuzzi on board, game viewing
Enquire about SShayamanziNorthern KZN Lodges
Amakhosi Safari Lodge
Amakhosi Game Reserve, south of Pongola
Rhino River Lodge
Manyoni Private Game Reserve, north of Hluhluwe. Sunday to Thursday
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Manyoni Private Game Reserve, north of Hluhluwe
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Thanda Private Game Lodges
Thanda Private Game Reserve, Mkuze
Why Book with us?
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Access to Game Lodges
Expert Reservations staff know the strengths of each lodge and which one would best suit your requirements
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Low Rates & Savings
Our buying power gives us access to the best rates
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Excellent Support
When you book with us, you book with someone you can call for help at any time. All our clients are given a 24 hr help line to call should they have an after hours problem related to their booking. You WILL speak to a human who is based in South Africa who has all your booking details at hand and will be able to advise you and help you.