5.5KVA solar system which supplies 220 volts
8 for comfort, 12 max pax
3-4 crew being a captain, cook and 1 or 2 deckhands. The crew have their own staff quarters and ablution facilities. Please advise them of your daily routine and meal times. They will attend to all your needs. Please ask for advice. Ensure that the crew do get a rest period during the day and are not kept up too late at night. There is no laundry service on the boat but the crew will assist should it be necessary.
The Ponty Houseboat is a unique, spacious 16m x 7m mono hull houseboat powered by two Nissan diesel engines. Ponty has two decks, with the bottom deck consisting of 4 bedrooms (2 x double and 2 x twin), an open plan kitchen, lounge and front and back deck. One of the double cabins and a twin share an inter leading large shower, loo and basin. The other double cabin has a shower, loo and basin en suite. There is a separate shower and loo for the twin room and general use. Additionally there are also 4 bunk beds with mosquito nets upstairs for those wanting to sleep under the stars, as well as spare mattresses if need be. All cabins have large windows that open onto the Lake and provide cool breezes and gorgeous views. All beds have mosquito nets and fans. Each bedroom is named after an African tree found along the Zambezi.
This houseboat is run on solar and has a back up generator just for emergencies. All the hot water is provided by a gas geyser.
The Large kitchen consists of a 5 plate gas stove, 1 fridge/freezer and 2 large deep freezers. The kitchen has a large working area for preparing those scrumptious meals which the chef cooks up. Adjoined to the kitchen is an open plan lounge area suitable to have meals if the weather is a bit chilly or windy (very rarely). There is unlimited safe drinking water also provided.
The top deck is ¾ covered in shade. The whole top area is open on all 4 sides to make the most of the cool lake breezes and beautiful scenery. This area has roll down canvas blinds if it rains. The dining area has an 8 seater dining table plus 6 seater bench table. A teak bar is situated upstairs next to the splash pool with a shade port. A Jet master gas braai is situated on the top deck. There is a very comfortable lounge area, 2 double sofas to sit relax and take in the beautiful views.
There are 2 tender boats.
Cossak Speed Boat with 90hp Yamaha engine and Pontoon with 30hp Marina engine.
Please note: Tender boats are for Game Viewing and fishing in the vicinity of the houseboat and are strictly crew driven. Should you require a speed boat for long-distance fishing, please either bring your own which will be towed behind the houseboat leaving behind one of the houseboat tenders (please bring your own rope for towing and fuel) or you can hire a speed boat from Marineland (contact us for details).
Rates include:
• Houseboat and Tender boat hire
• Crew
• Cleaning materials, dish washing liquid, toilet paper and bin bags
• Bath towels
• All linen and mosquito nets
• Cutlery and crockery
Rates exclude:
• All fuel. Captain will record running times of main engines and calculate fuel usage. This, together with fuel and oil used for tenders, must be paid in US$ cash to captain before disembarking.
• Please pay for all breakages/losses of items/equipment – the captain has a breakdown of prices
• Swimming Towels
• All groceries and condiments except for fully catered charters
• Plastic bags for packing fish
• All drinks and ice (these may be ordered before each trip)
• Fishing rods, tackle, bait (these may be hired – please book prior to charter)
• National Parks fees (this should be purchased prior to trip at National Parks Head Office, Harare.)
• Vehicle parking fees
• Crew gratuities
Personalised Service
Trips may be arranged with:
• Fuel included
• Airport and road transfer
• Flight transfers
• Catering with choice of three different menus. No outside commercial caterers to be used.
• Drinks on sale and return
• Fishing rod and bait hire (with compulsory fishing guide)
• Speed boat transfers to and from house boat on the lake (saving time and costs)
Boarding: 12 Noon
Disembarking: 10:00am
A tea/coffee station, drinks and ice station will be supplied all day on the top deck. There is also a variety of games and playing cards are available on request to the captain. Guests must bring their own music. Please bring your own swimming towels.
Recommended destinations:
Minimum 2 night charters – up to Antelope Island, Gache Area
3 – night charters – up to Sanyati Gorge, Palm Bay, Changa
4 – night charters – up to Sanyati West, Gordons Bay, Elephant Point
5 – night charters – up to Tashinga
6 – night charters – up to the Umi
**We suggest you bring: re-hydration salts, painkillers/headache tablets, Valoid, or anti-nausea medicine, Imodium, Enos or any anti acid, plasters and antiseptic, antihistamine tablets or cream – after sun cream.
Cutty Sark Harbour
**Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the details supplied above are correct, we cannot be held responsible in any way should an item mentioned above not be on board /broken or miss quoted.
