Golden Mariner Houseboat
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