Golden Mariner Houseboat

Terms and Conditions

The client who signifies their acceptance of a booking does so on behalf of themselves and persons under their authority, which means that all are bound by these terms and conditions of the Golden Mariner Syndicate.

Bookings

• All bookings to be made through the Golden Mariner Syndicate booking office at 48 Midlothian Avenue, Eastlea, Harare. Administrator can also be contacted on +263774 295 652(call/whatspp); landline +263 8644 078 005; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
• Charter fees can be banked or paid in cash at the Golden Mariner Syndicate booking office.

Banking details are as follows:

Name:       Syndicate Golden Mariner

Bank:         NMB

Branch:     Borrowdale

Account No: 260 097 903

Booking Conditions

• 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
• Cancellation charges will apply as follows:

Cancellation charges:

• No refunds are given for no shows or where a person leaves a charter before its scheduled end.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

a.    The client agrees that he/she will at all times comply with the Golden Mariner Syndicate’s requirements in regard to his/her conduct, and he/she will not in any way interfere with the operation of the houseboat and tender boats by the Captain. The client and his/her party shall abide by Captain’s advice in all respects and refer to him as he is in charge of the houseboat and her tenders at all times.

b.    When the client is travelling with persons under his/her authority, he/she warrants that he/she is authorised to bind every member to the terms of the contract.

c.    The client agrees that swimming, walking or use of the houseboat/tender boats is at all times at the passengers own risk, and is aware of and accept the risks of the activities and events of the charter including inter alias contact with wildlife, fishing, boating and swimming. The Golden Mariner Syndicate cannot be held responsible for any consequences of engaging in any of these activities.

d.    The Golden Mariner Syndicate herby waive any claims against the syndicate in respect of death or bodily injuries sustained by the clients travelling on the houseboat. The client thus agrees that the syndicate is not liable to compensate any of the passengers for any loss or damage of property sustained whilst travelling, embarking or disembarking from the Golden Mariner Houseboat or tender boats.

e.    The Golden Mariner reserves the right to refuse to accept or retain any person on a charter at any given time should such persons physical or mental health and condition or general attitude and deportment impede the operation of the houseboat or the welfare and enjoyment of the other passengers.

f.    The client agrees to be liable for all costs associated with the replacement or repair to any equipment or fittings lost or damaged due to the negligence his/her or his/her passenger’s behalf.

g.    The client hereby waive and abandon any claims against the Golden Mariner Syndicate, in respect of delays in returning to Kariba and/or onward or connecting transfers due to bad weather on the lake and any other reasonable cause for late arrival.

h.    On payment of the charter, the client accepts and agrees to the terms and conditions set by the Golden Mariner Syndicate.

i.    The syndicate reserves the right to amend the price of the charter and/or charge a surcharge on top of rates quoted and/or monies already received.

Note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure the highest standard of maintenance of the houseboat and tender boats, breakdowns or delays could occur which are beyond the control of the Golden Mariner Syndicate. Such problems will be rectified as soon as humanly possible under the prevailing conditions.

FAQS

Q: What is meant by the term ‘’Dry Boat’’ or ‘’Bare Boat’’?

A: 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.

Q: What time does the houseboat depart and return to harbour

A: 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.

Q: What do I do with my vehicle whilst on the houseboat?

A: Car parking is available at the Marineland harbour, however you will be charged parking.

Q: How is the fuel for a charter calculated and paid for?

A: 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.

Q: What are the onboard provisions?

A: We will provide guests with toilet paper, towels, linen, cutlery, cleaning materials and Ice

Q: Can you organise extras such as meals?

A: Yes we can recommend some caters who provide guests with sample menus from which meals

can be selected

Q: Do we provide our own cooking utensils?

A: No the houseboat is equipped with all cooking utensils

Q: The Crew?

A: 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)

Q: Are there any other hidden costs which I will be charged for?

A: 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.

Q: Are guests allowed to operate tender boats or bring own tender boats?

A: 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

Q: Does the houseboat come with fishing equipment and bait?

A: No guests will need to bring their own fishing equipment and bait

Q: How safe is the houseboat for toddlers and young children?

A: The Golden Mariner houseboat is safe for toddlers and young children as it is fitted with gates and metal mesh all around.

Q: What animals and birds am I likely to see?

A: 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.

Q: Is Kariba a malaria area?

A: Yes Kariba is a malaria area, the houseboat however comes with mosquito nets for all guests.

Q: Are we allowed to walk on the shore and have a fire in the evenings?

A: 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.

Q: Are we allowed to swim in the lake?

A: No, swimming is entirely at your own risk as the lake has a huge population of crocodiles and hippos

Q: Are we allowed to bring pets onto the houseboat?

A: No, pets are not allowed on the houseboat.

Q: How do we confirm a booking?

A: Please refer to the Terms and conditions

Q: What if we need to cancel a booking?

A: Please refer to the Terms and conditions

National Parks Fees

FEES :per night per person to leisure on the lake

·         Additional fees are payable on entry to Ume River and Sanyati Gorge as follows:

Contact Details

Booking Office:

Mudiwa House, 48 Midlothian Ave, Eastlea, Harare

Landline: +263 8644 078 005

Cell: +263 774 295 652

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.