This next-generation vessel took nearly two years to design and build, replacing the much-loved original Voyager. Constructed in Namibia and assembled on the banks of the Zambezi, it is the first solar-powered, all-aluminium houseboat in Africa – and possibly the world.
The Pangolin Voyager is based on the Namibian side of the Chobe River, directly opposite the Chobe National Park. The river itself is unique, flowing in both directions depending on the Zambezi flood levels, and offers year-round game viewing right from the deck. Departure is via Kasane Immigration, followed by a short transfer to Impalila Island for Namibian entry formalities before stepping aboard your floating safari lodge.
The Voyager features five identical en-suite cabins, each configurable as a double or twin. Large near floor-to-ceiling windows fitted with mosquito nets allow the sounds of the wilderness to filter in at night. Cabins also include air conditioning, plenty of charging points for devices and camera batteries, and thoughtful touches such as filtered drinking water and hot water flasks for early morning coffee or late-night tea.
Spread across three levels, the houseboat offers a lounge, dining area, well-stocked bar, and a shaded upper deck with sofas, sun loungers and a café-style seating area. There’s also a cosy reading nook with sliding glass doors for panoramic river views. An air-conditioned editing suite adjacent to the lounge is available for downloading, reviewing, and processing photographs – also used for presentations during hosted photo safaris.
All meals and drinks are included. The on-board chefs prepare menus inspired by regional flavours, alongside international favourites to suit all palates. Locally sourced ingredients are used wherever possible, and dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, and medically diagnosed allergies) are well catered for. Guests celebrating a special occasion can look forward to freshly baked treats, as baking is a crew passion.
The Pangolin Voyager is nearly fully electric. Solar panels across the roof generate enough energy to run the houseboat silently and emission-free at a serene 4–5 km/h. The only gas used is for cooking and hot water, ensuring piping hot showers 24/7 while keeping operations eco-friendly. Guests can even take a behind-the-scenes tour of the solar system on request.
This is your chance to have the most likes on an Instagram photo of the day. Don’t blow it.
The Voyager is paired with an eight-seater specialist photo boat, each seat equipped with an articulated arm and gimbal for 360-degree rotation. Led by expert guides, the boat goes out twice daily – at first light and late afternoon . Morning sessions include coffee and snacks, while afternoon cruises come with ice-cold drinks.
And you are in arguably one of the top game viewing destinations in Africa. The Caprivi floodplain throws up a lot of game. Apart from elephant herds which the Chobe is renowned for, you should see loads of buffalo and sable too. Predators often wander up riverside to check out dinner options.
Basically, you design the itinerary. You can do whatever you fancy throughout the day and meanwhile the boat’s two chefs will get your meals and snacks sorted.
Or, if you just want to watch game live their lives, please do. Most of the animals spend a large chunk of their year round the river, so they are used to the boats. There is another boat for general game viewing and visits to the local communities and landmarks.
The Chobe is also an important birding area. 390 species have been seen from the boats alone. These include slaty egret, western banded snake eagle, rock pratincole, African skimmer, Schalow’s turaco and coppery tailed coucal. If birds are your passion then come when the houseboats moves upstream. Once a year the Pangolin Voyager chugs up the Zambezi to a Southern Carmine Bee-eater breeding site for a month. Tens of thousands of these colourful birds arrive from Central Africa to breed on one small sandbank. The guides are exceptional birders and very happy to help seek out specific species that you may want to view. Birding season runs from January until the end of March with several top ornithologists hosting safaris during that time on the houseboat.
If you’d like to learn more about the locals you can. The people of the floodplains are called the Subiya, and their language is related to Western Tonga and one of the earliest languages of the Zambezi, believed to have arrived around the Iron Age. You can visit a local village as the Pangolin has a close link to the community.
Or ask your guide to take you for a walk on the floodplains, or on the nearby Impalila Island. You can climb a giant baobab tree at the point where the four countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia meet. The walk is wonderful and gentle.
The new Pangolin Voyager Houseboat leads the way in eco-friendly safari travel. Built as Africa’s first solar-powered, all-aluminium houseboat, it runs almost entirely on renewable energy, with electric propulsion systems that allow it to cruise silently and emission-free along the Chobe River. Solar panels generate all the power needed on board, while the only gas used is for cooking and hot water, ensuring a light footprint without compromising on comfort.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
