Northern KwaZulu Natal in South Africa has many natural and splendid beauties, but little can compare with the superb wildlife to be seen on the shores of Lake Jozini (also known as Pongolapoort Lake).

On board Shayamanzi Houseboat, soak up the stunning scenery of the Lebombo Mountains and Pongola Game Reserve. Enjoy calm serenity on the water or the thrill of Tiger fishing!

Experience the first Houseboats in South Africa - the only one of their kind. Shayamanzi is all about taking time out to appreciate Africa's special wonders.

The whining reel breaks the silence as your fishing rod bends to the limit. Then the spectacular colours of a tail walking 'tiger' light up the water surface, and experience that neither the novice nor avid angler will forget.

Shayamanzi�s world class crews endear themselves in everyone�s hearts as you enjoy the ultimate in all-inclusive accommodation!

Cruising in style at up to 9 knots, passengers on Shayamanzi's 2 boats enjoy different anchorages each evening. The boats are fully serviced with a world-class crew who will ensure you enjoy delicious meals, a safe cruise, great fishing, game viewing and bird watching of more than 350 species.

Shayamanzi I :

• Is a 25 meter by 8 meter, double pontoon houseboat launched in October 2002
• 6 En-suite cabins
• 4 Crew
• 2 Tender boats
• 8 Seater Jacuzzi.

Shayamanzi II :

• Is a 30 meter by 8.6 meter, double pontoon houseboat launched in September 2007
• 3 Levels
• 10 Air-conditioned, en-suite cabins
• 6 Crew
• 3 Tender boats
• 12 Seater jacuzzi.

All Shayamanzi cabins are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. They have mosquito netting, plug points and fans. The water system is top class resulting in a hot pressurized shower. There are plug points in the rooms so the ladies have the luxury of blow-drying their hair after stepping out the shower or jacuzzi.

For bigger groups, sleeper couches on the top deck are used to accommodate an extra 4 people who then share an ablution facility.

And for even larger groups, by hiring both the boats, you are able to accommodate a maximum of 36 passengers.

Entertainment onboard is provided in the form of a 37� LCD screen with DSTV and a DVD Home Theatre System which provides a wide variety of music to choose from. There is even karaoke for those keen on a humourous evening!

The wet bar has a separate surround sound music system so that those relaxing in the heated Jacuzzi may choose their own rhythms.

If that is not enough, there is also a dart board and board games!

Where to board: Passengers embark from a jetty on the Northern shores of the Pongola River. You begin your experience at Shayamoya Tiger Fishing and Game Lodge, where you leave your vehicles in the safe parking area.

Enjoy a welcoming drink on the large sundeck of the central lodge which has stunning views overlooking the lake and Lebombo Mountains.

You are then transferred by open landcruiser through the Phongolo Nature Reserve to the water's edge, where the Shayamanzi crew will meet you by tender boat and escort you onto the Houseboat.

Onboard chefs prepare the sumptuous meals. Wholesome breakfasts, light lunches and delicious 3-course dinners or braais are served on the upper deck, not to mention the bottomless tea and coffee accompanied with freshly baked biscuits.

Deckhands meanwhile ensure your cabins are clean, your meals are served, and they will also take you on fishing or game viewing trips.

Your Shayamanzi cruise begins in the Northern area of the Lake where the Pongola River, which is the only water source feeding the Lake, enters. While the extreme Northern tip creeps into Swaziland and the rest of the Northern area and the entire Western and Southern banks are bordered by the Pongola Nature Reserve and the Pongola Game Reserve.

The game reserves host many animal species which can be seen in herds from Shayamanzi's decks: White and Black Rhino, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, common reedbuck, red duiker, grey duiker, waterbuck, steenbuck, suni antelope, black backed jackal, hyena, cheetah, wild dog, cerval cat, warthog, bushpig, banded mongoose, legavaan, terrapin and the occasional siting of leopard which roam the slopes of the Lebombo mountains.

The muddy plains and reed banks provide excellent breeding grounds for the waterbirds which can be seen in thousands - Whistling Duck, Yellowbilled Storks, Spurwing and Egyptian Geese, Commorants, various Herons, Kingfishers and several Fish Eagles.

Along the entire Western bank is the magnificent Lebombo Mountain range. One of the evening anchorages is a night in the Gorge. Here the Mountains rise either side of you, covered in indigenous cycads and ferns and where the glo-flies make a spectacular show along the shoreline.

Double pontoon tender boats accompany the houseboat on her cruise. These are used by the passengers to explore the Lake's secret coves for fishing or game viewing purposes and are skippered by the Shayamanzi crew.

Tiger Fishing: Lake Jozini is the only water in South Africa where you find the ferocious fighting Tiger Fish, an African game fish, which sends you thrills as it jumps out the water, throwing his head from side to side trying to get off your line. Tackle and rods are available for hire.

Game Viewing: The Lake is surrounded by the Pongola Game Reserve and Phongolo Nature Reserve, which provide spectacular game viewing from the water's edge. The Reserves are teaming with a large variety of wildlife which can be viewed from the Shayamanzi decks or the tender boats.

Birding: The area is a birder's paradise hosting over 350 species of bush birds, raptors and water birds. Set against the Lebombo Mountains, the Lake becomes a breeding zone for cormorants, herons, ducks, storks and many more. Between May and November there is a fantastic hive of activity not to be missed.

Other land activities can be enjoyed whereby we link up with the surrounding lodge's and their game drives, elephant monitoring, rhino walks and half day cultural outings into rural Zululand.

With prior notice, activities designed to entertain and excite the ladies can also be arranged.

• belly and fusion dancing classes
• lap and pole dancing classes
• massages, pedicures and manicures
• sushi lessons
• creative workshops - scrapbooking, life collage, folk art.

Shayamanzi makes for a unique executive conference venue where all the relevant details are supplied or can be arranged.

There is cell phone signal everywhere ensuring access to the office at all times.

There are blinds on the dining room side to reduce the glare during presentations.

To run equipment, electrical power is provided by a 30KVA water-cooled generator, 2 inverters or shore power when anchored in the river.

Lake Jozini is easily accessible with daily flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay. From here, it is a 2 hour vehicle transfer. Alternatively it is a 3.5 hour comfortable drive from Durban on a good road.

Please enquire about frequent special offers.

• Bookings are made per boat charter, from 6 passengers to 40 passengers if hiring both boats.
• Bookings are also available for couples or smaller parties on non-exclusive trips. The rate depends on the number of people in your party.
• There is a minimum of a 2 night stay but the ideal number of nights is 3.
• If you decide to book a week-end, you must book both the Friday and the Saturday.
• Day Cruises are also available. Maximum no. of passengers is 100 people.
• Due to safety, it is recommended that children under 8 years old stay at home.
• A discounted combination package for groups of 12 or 20 passengers has been designed especially for this purpose. For more information, click here.
• A dietary requirement and a preferred drinks list will be sent to you on reservation so that we may cater to your specific requirements.
• On your day of Departure after the cruise, the Captain will arrange your drinks and activities account, which is to be settled back at Shayamoya Lodge on departure either by cash or credit card.