Kubu Queen Houseboat

The Kubu Queen is a privately owned, family-run houseboat operated by Old Africa Safaris, moored in the Panhandle section of the Okavango River near Shakawe, roughly 380km from Maun. Owner-guide Greg Thompson has captained the boat for over 30 years (with crew members Gee and Berry supporting the operation for around a decade), and the vessel underwent a full refit in 2022 — new keels, dressing and finish. Shakawe has a small light-aircraft airport and the mooring is also accessible by tar road, giving flexible fly-in or self-drive access.

The Queen is a double-decker, twin-60HP-engine houseboat that runs primarily on solar power, sleeping a maximum of 6 guests across 2 double cabins and 1 open-air upper-deck bedroom (2 single beds under mosquito nets). Downstairs houses the galley; the lounge, bar and dining area are upstairs. The boat is chartered exclusively to one group at a time — privacy, flexibility and remoteness are central to the offering — with two tender boats for fishing and river excursions. Larger groups are accommodated in spacious en-suite dome tents set up on an island nearby, in "Old Africa Safari" style, allowing alfresco dining under the stars.

Activities are centred on the Panhandle's slow, permanent-water channels: year-round tiger and barbel fishing (equipment provided), birding (530+ recorded species including the rare Pel's fishing owl), river safaris by tender boat, and excursions to the Tsodilo Hills rock-art site ("the Louvre of the Desert"). The fully catered rate includes accommodation, all meals, tender boats, a professional guide, fishing, crew and fuel — a genuinely all-inclusive, small-group houseboat product distinct from the larger Pangolin Voyager, located on the Okavango River panhandle rather than the Chobe.

Rooms: 2 double cabins + 1 open-air upper-deck bedroom (2 single beds, mosquito nets); larger groups housed in spacious en-suite dome tents on a nearby island. Max guests: 6 on the houseboat itself (exclusive charter). Facilities: well-equipped galley, upstairs lounge/bar and dining area, two tender boats, fishing equipment provided. Solar-assisted twin 60HP engines. Owned and guided by Greg Thompson (Old Africa Safaris) for 30+ years; boat refitted 2022.