Frequently Asked Questions
A provisional booking will be held for up to 7 working days awaiting confirmation and receipt of a minimum of 30% deposit. If the deposit is not received within this period the booking will be cancelled. The balance of the total charter amount must be paid no later than 45 days prior to the date of departure. Should payment not be received by this time the booking is treated as having been cancelled. Bookings within 45 days of departure date must be accompanied by full fee.
Dry boat or bare boat charter means the nightly charter rate does not include fuel, outboard oil, meals or drinks. It only includes the houseboat, tender boats and crew.
The houseboat will be ready to depart at 12:00pm on the first day of the charter and will return to harbour no later than 10:00am on the last day of the trip.
Car parking is available at the Andora harbour, however you will be charged parking.
The houseboat and tender boats will leave harbour with full fuel tanks, which will be shown to guests for them to verify. On return to harbour after the charter, the houseboat and tender boats will be moored at the fuel jetty and refilled. Guests will then be requested to settle consumed fuel.
We will provide guests with toilet paper, towels, linen, cutlery and cleaning materials.
Yes we can recommend some caters who provide guests with sample menus from which meals can be selected.
No the houseboat is equipped with all cooking utensils.
The crew is made up of the Captain, Chef and Captain's assistant. The Captain will take you on fishing and game viewing excursions, therefore guests need to discuss with him what they want to achieve on the charter and he will advise best charter routes. The crew will operate the tender boats unless guests bring their own tender boats. The Chef will prepare all meals on instructions from the guests. The Captain has the last final say when it comes to issues of safety of the vessel and its occupants (e.g whether or not to travel in bad weather).
No, there are no hidden costs, once you have paid your full charter fee to the booking office, the office will not bill you for anything else. Fuel is paid directly to the fuel jetty attendant, National Park fees to relevant authorities.
Guests are not permitted to operate the Golden Mariner tender boats; yes guests are allowed to bring their own tender boats but towing own tender boat is at own risk.
No guests will need to bring their own fishing equipment and bait.
The Golden Mariner houseboat is safe for toddlers and young children as it is fitted with gates and metal mesh all around.
Animals commonly seen are elephant, hippo, zebra, impala, crocodile, monkeys, baboons occasionally lions, waterbuck, buffalo and many more. The most common bird you will see is the fish eagle, but there are also herons, cormorants, king fishers, gulls to name a few.
Yes Kariba is a malaria area, the houseboat however comes with mosquito nets for all guests.
We do not recommend that you walk on the shore unless accompanied by a professional, armed Zimbabwean Registered guide, as most wild animals can be dangerous. If you do disembark, this is at your own risk. Fires are not allowed on the shore in the National Park.
No, swimming is entirely at your own risk as the lake has a huge population of crocodiles and hippos
No, pets are not allowed on the houseboat.