Okavango Spirit Houseboat

In addition to the excellent Chobe Houseboats (that operate from the Namibian bank of the Chobe River), the new and exciting Okavango Spirit Houseboat in Botswana itself, is the classic private wilderness getaway for a big family or a group of friends. The houseboat is sold on an exclusive use basis to groups of up to 14 people (children 6 years and older are welcome).

Okavango Spirit Houseboat

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • The Okavango Spirit Houseboat Overview

  • Accommodation

  • Activities

The Okavango Spirit Houseboat Overview

Operating on the remote & meandering waterways of the upper panhandle of the Okavango, known for its excellent fishing and birding. It is also conveniently located close to other activities including the remote Tsodilo Hills and Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park.

Guests fly from Maun by light aircraft to the Shakawe Airstrip, a flight of about 60 minutes. Here you are met by the crew and transferred by motorboat to the Okavango Spirit for boarding and orientation. From here the boat slowly takes in the vistas and wildlife as it moves to its first overnight mooring spot.

In the waterways of the Okavango Panhandle
The Okavango Spirit at it's mooring spot
Sunsets from the lookout deck

Accommodation

Accommodation is in 4 double and 3 twin en-suite cabins each with glass doors to capitalise on the changing views and each with a private deck. The boat’s communal deck stands 3 meters high and in this vast, flat wilderness affords excellent views for sunrise & sunset – the ideal setting for the meals & laughter you will share with your group.
Guests have the option of enjoying the boat’s viewing deck or the environment of your private cabin. The more energetic can take to the tender boats with a guide and enjoy some fishing or bird or game viewing before returning to the houseboat for sundowners & dinner.

Each room has a gorgeous view of the river
Cosy and comfortable rooms aboard the Okavango Spirit Houseboat
The lounge and dining areas have 360 views of the surrounding scenery

Activities

Between Aug - Oct each year the Okavango Rivers plays host to the ‘barbel run’ - as the flood waters begin to recede, the water drains into the main channels and the small fish run the gauntlet of the prowling barbel and tigerfish. This of course makes for some chaotic fishing for fishing enthusiasts.

However apart from the excellent fishing (catch & release) which is done from the tender boats, guests can also enjoy birding or guided walks on some of the small islands for birding and tree spotting.

Other exciting activities include ‘off-boat’ day excursions. The first is a trip to the Tsodilo Hills, a remote cluster of rocky hills that rise sharply above the vast Mopane veld of northwestern Botswana. This world heritage site is home to a vast collection of rock art done over thousands of years by the San-Bushmen who inhabited this wilderness. Another ‘off-boat’ excursion involves a morning game drive across the border into Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park home to an abundance of wildlife including lion, elephant, roan, kudu, leopard, and wild dog to name a few.

The bushman paintings at Tsodilo Hills
Game drives in the Bwabwata National Park
Fishing trips in the Okavango Panhandle

Tour Costs

2025 Rates
Two Night Package

Green Season (10 Jan – 31 March 2025)
$7,995 – per 2-night package, (covers guests 1 – 7)
For 8 to 14 guests please enquire about the extra per person rates

Shoulder Season (01 Apr – 31 May 2025 | 01 Nov - 19 Dec 2025)
$9,500 – per 2-night package, (covers guests 1 – 7)
For 8 to 14 guests please enquire about the extra per person rates

Shoulder Shoulder Season (01 – 31 May 2025)
$10,500 – per 2-night package, (covers guests 1 – 7)
For 8 to 14 guests please enquire about the extra per person rates

High Season (01 - 30 June 2025| 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2025 | 20 Dec - 9 Jan ‘26)
$11,995 – per 2-night package, (covers guests 1 – 7)
For 8 to 14 guests please enquire about the extra per person rates

Peak Season (01 July - 31 Aug 2025)
$12,995 – per 2-night package, (covers guests 1 – 7)
For 8 to 14 guests please enquire about the extra per person rates

Rates Include

Accommodation
All meals
Local beverages
Guest laundry
Daily activities
Transfers to/from Shakawe Airstrip
Expert guiding
Park entry fees & VAT.

Rates Exclude

Flights to and from Shakawe Airstrip
Conservation, Community and Reserve Fee (US$50pppn in 2024, US$60pppn in 2025)
Premium brand drinks
Gratuities
Fully comprehensive personal travel insurance.

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Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
Sergio Santini
Sergio Santini
03 June 2024
Petru has been our reference person at African Travel Gateway: she organised our self-drive travel through South Africa during April 2024. The itinerary has been tailored according to our wishes and her suggestions. She did a great job , fully meeting our requirements and tacking care about us in real time even during the trip. We really enjoyed the safaris she proposed and we saw what has to be seen in this beautiful country for a 3 weeks visit. The TravelKey App was new for us; it is an efficient tool and has been a very positive experience, having everything filed in the HP.
lilia sanabria
lilia sanabria
25 May 2024
I recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Namibia, and I owe it all to Bianca and her exceptional expertise! From the moment I contacted African Travel Gateway, Bianca was warm, knowledgeable, and dedicated to crafting a personalized itinerary that exceeded my expectations. Bianca not only helped me plan a seamless trip, but also introduced me to an incredible guide, Nicco Visser, who brought the country to life with his expertise, love for his country and passion for photography. With Nicco by my side, I experienced the real Namibia - from the stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife to the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of the people. Thank you, Bianca, for connecting me with Nicco and helping me create memories that will stay with me forever!"
Bill Lenew
Bill Lenew
13 May 2024
Amazing, Outstanding and Fabulous are a few words to describe our Safari. This was my 7th African Safari, that Lize at So. African Travel has planned for my Family and Friends. All of them were extremely over the top and satisfying. From the accommodations, to the food and most of all seeing all of the Big Five at every Lodge. I highly recommend using Lize, as she has always given us many options to pick from. All of which have been perfectly organized by Lize. Once you fly into Johannesburg, she reserves a room for you at the Hotel right next to the airport. Then the next morning we fly into the Krueger to get to our Lodge. She also organizes the flight for you. And then after the Safari, we usually go into Cape Town, which she also organizes that flight too. We can't say enough about what a Great Travel Agent Lize is. If you want your trip to be perfect call Lize! Thank you Lize! as I said before "You're the Best"! Karen Lenew.
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