AbanganeHouseboatCharters

Lake Kariba once the largest manmade lake in the world is fed by the great Zambezi river and is about 240 km in
length with a surface area of some 6 000 square km. It boasts wonderful scenery, unforgettable sunsets, prolific bird life, and unsurpassed close up game viewing of Elephant, Buffalo, Kudu, Impala and other Antelope as well as ever present Hippos and Crocodiles. It is also the home of the Tiger fish, famous for its exhilarating fighting ability, as well as other fish species such as Vundu, Barbel, Bottlenose, Nkupi, and a range of Tilapia and Bream varieties. The weather can be very hot in the summer months (October to March) with temperatures ranging from 26C to 33C with occasional spells of up to 40C. The fishing is better during these months. The rainy season is mid November to late March. Winter temperatures (May to September) range between 20C and 26C. Malaria is prevalent and you should take a suitable prophylactic. Bring plenty of mosquito repellent. Mosquito nets are provided.

Abangane

Ndebele for friends

She is an 18 metre twin hulled houseboat moored at Kulizwe Lodge harbour in Binga which is on the Zimbabwean South Western shore of Lake Kariba. GPS S 170 35.203 E 0270 21.367 The boat is powered by two 85 HP Cummins diesel engines. Generators provide 220 Volt electrical power to operate fridges, freezers, a hot water geyser, a washing machine, fans and plug points and charges the batteries to service the 12 Volt lighting system. An inverter ensures that the iPod dock (supplied) and fans work when the generators are switched off. The lower deck facilities consist of crews quarters, storerooms, 2 cabins/changing rooms with 4 bunks, 2 shower rooms, 2 separate toilets and a fully equipped kitchen, which include electrical appliances, a gas stove,2 fridges and 3 deep freezers. A shower is situated on the Bermuda deck. The spacious upper deck is approximately 75% under cover and contains a bar with bottle cooler and ice making machine and the counter doubles as a cozy meal table.

Most passengers sleep under mosquito nets (provided) on the upper deck. Two freezers are situated on the deck and a large gas braai (barbeque) unit complements the cooking facilities and provides sociable meal preparation. The boat is registered to accommodate 15 passengers plus a crew of 3 to 4. 12 passengers is a comfortable number.

Tender boats
Two twin hulled rafts powered by 25HP Mariner outboard motors are towed by the boat to allow access to shallow waters for fishing, and game and bird viewing. Please treat them with care. No unlicensed person may drive the tender boats. When a tender boat is being used please advise the Captain of the intended area of use. The tender boats may not be used at night except in an emergency. Life jackets must be warn when traveling Passengers may bring their own tender boats, but only 3 boats may be towed by the Abangane.

The Crew
Drinking water is filtered, but not chlorinated. You may wish to boil the water, bring chlorine tablets, or buy bottled water. Drinking ice (chlorinated filters) is made at the bar, once the boat has exited the harbor and water can be drawn from the open lake. Ice blocks for keeping drinks cold in insulated boxes on the rafts can be purchased through Taylors Kwikspar, or Gecko Charter Supplies and Services. (see Provisioning your trip) A captain, cook and one or two crew members will attend to all your needs. Please advise them of your daily routine, ensure that they get a rest period during the

day and are not kept up too late at night.

Laundry
There is no laundry service on the boat, but the crew will assist should it become necessary.

Gratuities are entirely at your

discretion and should be related to good service which we are confident you will get.

How to get there

From Bulawayo drive along the Victoria Falls Road, pass (or stop in for a break) Halfway Hotel some 230 km away, and then after a further 30 km turn right at Dete Crossroads (GPS S 18029.292 E 0260 55.254) onto the Kamativi Road. From Victoria Falls or Hwange drive on the Bulawayo Road and turn left at Dete Crossroads onto the Kamativi Road. Once on the Kamativi Road travel some 45 km before turning right onto the Binga Road (signposted), and proceed some 130 km to the Kuliswe Lodge mooring, at Binga. The crew will meet you and transfer your luggage and provisions to the Abangane. It is suggested you time your visit to arrive late morning, to enable you to reach your first overnight stop in time to fish or game view in the late afternoon. Transport from Victoria Falls or Hwange Airport is being investigated. Some phone numbers you may need to assure fuel is available: Crossroads +263 (0) 779 013 736 Halfway House +263 (0) 774 780 475 Binga CMED +263 (0) 713 572 998

Provisioning your trip

Full Catering
With a weeks notice, menus can be arranged with Margot Cunningham and Richard Donaldson, and will be included on your main invoice. Please refer to the Appendix A for the current costs. The boat and fridges will be loaded with fresh provisions the day before you embark. Beers, minerals, ice blocks and fishing bait (masese, worms and kapenta) can also be loaded at extra cost under this option.

Self Provisioning
Private arrangements can be made through: Gecko Charter Supplies and Services Allan and Elena Hein Mobile +263 (0) 774 351 417 +263 (0) 775 233 917 Email bingaboatskariba@hotmail .com Taylors Kwickspar (Godfrey) Phone +263 (0) 15 316 Mobile +263 (0) 773 507364 Email fto@yoafrica.com The above suppliers may load the boat with groceries, beer, minerals ice etc on the afternoon prior to embarkation, if requested in advance. Bring your own delicacies, meats or drinks that may not be obtainable from a rural superette. You are expected to settle your account before you leave Binga, unless prior arrangements have been made with the suppliers to use the RTGS internet payment system. Most self provisioning passengers bring their own groceries.

Boarding
Embarkation should be from 12.00 noon on the day you arrive and disembarkation should be before 09.00am on the day you leave.

What to Bring
Clothing - A tracksuit/fleece is useful in the Winter months as the evenings can be chilly, otherwise light clothing, sandals and a large sunhat is ideal. (only limited laundry can be undertaken by the crew if necessary) You should bring your own fishing rods, reels, tackle and your own bait. Worms may be purchased from vendors outside the Bulawayo city hall and you should try and obtain 3 or 4 packets of dry and selected fresh kapenta( the crew can assist when locally available) for Tiger fishing. Bait is offered under the full catering option. Dont forget to bring a camera, binoculars, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Charter Fees
Please refer to Appendix A for the current cost. A 25% deposit is required within 10 days of a confirmed booking. The balance is required 30 days prior to travel.

Included In the Boat Hire

Bedding, linen, mosquito nets, towels, cutlery, crockery, cleaning materials, soap, toilet paper and rations for the crew Security and valuables Please use the small safe facilities in the bar provided, and bring your own padlock and key. Medicines There is a small well-equipped first aid box for emergencies but you are advised to bring your personal medications such as hangover pills, antacids, antiseptic ointment and stomach remedies. Mosquito repellent sprays or ointments are essential requirements. Fishing Equipment A limited number of basic fishing rods and reels are available for guest use. Normally guests bring their own. Each raft is equipped with a worm box, landing net and a keep net. You should supplement these according to the numbers of participants, and cover for accidental losses. Fishing tackle and bait are not included.

Deposit

Fuel Costs

Petrol and 2 stroke oil charges are included in the charter fee. Diesel at current prices is based on the destination you choose, as detailed in the table below. Costs detailed in Appendix A For quoting purposes please advise your preferred destination as soon as possible. Popular destinations and travel times are: Destination Senkwe Chete Ruzi Elephant Bay Travel Time (hrs) 12 (return) 16 (return) 18 (return) 1.5 (1 way)

Other destinations will be priced upon request. Elephant Bay is normally used as the final stop on the return trip. This ensures that you arrive at Binga for disembarkation by 09.00am the next day.

Cancellation Fees
Cancelled bookings will attract the following penalties on total fare: 30 days before travel 25%. 14 days before travel 50% 7 days before travel -- 75% Within 7 days of travel or non arrivals will be charged in full.

Generator Costs
Costs for 9 hrs running time per day are included in the charter fee

If for any reason whatsoever, guests arrive late or leave early, no reimbursement will be considered. The above cancellation fees will only be reconsidered in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Zimbabwe National Parks Fees 2013

These are not included in the Charter fee and are payable to the Parks representatives at the boat prior to embarkation. Parks officials may board the boat at any stage to check that payments are accurate and have been properly receipted. You may wish to let us know in advance exactly who is coming, relevant ages, residential status and how many people will be fishing, which we will pass on via the boat captain to save time before you embark. Residents Houseboat including tenders per person/day (covers 5 days) Visiting speedboats per person/day Children under 6 years Children 6 to 12 years Resident pensioners over 60 years Fishing fees per person/day US $5 US $5 Free US$2 50% Adult rate US $5 International Visitors US $10 US $10 Free 50% Adult rate N/A US $10 Regional (SADC) Visitors US $10 US $10 Free 50% Adult rate N/A US $10

By law the Captain is in command of the boat and his word is final in all aspects of lake safety. The Captain is responsible for the safety of the boat and the passengers. He will not proceed in adverse weather conditions and no passenger has the right to instruct him otherwise, nor to direct him to move contrary to his wishes. All passengers are to obey any water-borne safety instruction issued by the Captain. Lifejackets are available on board and must be worn whenever instructed by the Captain. No-one is permitted to jump from the boat whilst it is traveling nor is anyone permitted on the roof. Be vigilant for ever-present crocodiles which are dangerous. Only crew are permitted to drive the Abangane.

Safety Rules

Travel at night is prohibited unless in an emergency. The Abangane and her tender boats are not permitted in Zambian waters. The Captain will not exceed normal cruising speed except in an emergency. Unauthorised use of the ship to shore radio is not permitted. Only the crew may fill the fuel tanks of the tender boats. Fish Eagle Safaris (Pvt) Ltd, owners of the Abangane, accepts no liability for any injury or loss incurred whilst using the Abangane or the tender boats. All passengers will be required to sign an indemnity form.

Bookings
Morris Thompson Phone: + 263 9 233655 Mobile: +263 777 761 585 Email morrist.thompson@gmail.com Richard Donaldson Mobile: +263 775 995 588 Email donaldsonrc@gmail.com Andrew Thompson Mobile:+ 263 712412707 Email athompson@duration.co.zw

FISH EAGLE SAFARIS (PVT) LTD Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Email abanganeboat@gmail.com

08.01.13