Ichingo Safari Lodge & Ichobezi House boat

Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is a secluded, luxury hideaway that provides the perfect platform for those wanting to explore the Chobe/Victoria Falls region and to experience all of the activities that are available in this diverse corner of Africa.

Located on Impalila Island, on the Namibian side of the Chobe River, this beautiful tented lodge guarantees a tailor made holiday for every guest. Owner managed, the lodge provides excellent levels of service as well as the added value of your own private guide and tender boat for the duration of your stay. This allows you the freedom to explore the rivers and waterways on your own and it means that whichever activity you choose for the day will be done at your own pace.

Accommodation is provided in 8 well-appointed Meru safari tents with private balconies and en-suite bathrooms and the lodge is built beneath a riverine forest alive with a large amount of bird species. Outstanding cuisine, attention to detail and a serene environment are all a part of the Ichingo Chobe River Lodge experience.

Situated on the banks of the Chobe River, on Impalila Island in Namibia, Ichingo River Lodge is a hidden gem tucked away between the Jackalberry Trees of the island. Only accessible by boat, anglers will be met at the Kasane border in Botswana and taken by boat to Namibian Immigration. From here, the boat will take guests to either the Houseboats or Lodge. They will be met by the manager and a cold drink to welcome them and given an introduction to the lodge/houseboat.

At the lodge - no electricity until +/- 5pm in the evening and this is generator powered. All plugs are South African 3-pin round, so clients must bring appropriate adaptors.

The houseboats are fully equipped with double or twin rooms, en-suite bathrooms and fans in each room. There is a Jacuzzi on board and a large dining room and lounge area. Your view? Somewhere on the spectacular Chobe River...

There is a large dining area and lounge for anglers to relax in when they are not on the water. The Braai area on the sand is ideal for an evening get together and dinner times. There is also a small pool for those sweltering days - one doesn't want to be swimming in the Chobe!

From the deep wide upper Zambezi and the meandering Chobe, through the well-known Mambova and Chobe rapids with their shallow gravel beds and through the small channels and backwaters, each habitat offers its own unique challenges whether using conventional or fly-fishing methods. There is something for everyone - beginner and experienced angler alike. While the undoubted champion of the area is the tiger fish, which grows to 20lbs in these waters, we also have Nembwe or Yellow Belly Bream, Redbreast Tilapia, Threespot Tilapia, Greenhead Tilapia, Pink Bream/Pink Happy, Green Bream/Green Happy, Thinface Largemouth, Humpback Largemouth and the Sharp Tooth Catfish.

The annual rains in January and February swell the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, saturating the surrounding floodplains. The high waters that last through until March/April allow the fish to breed in massive numbers, replenishing the fish population for the year ahead. Once the water starts to recede from the floodplains, incredible numbers of minnows and small baitfish are flushed back into the main channels, which is an event the tiger fish take full advantage of. For this reason fishing is not only excellent in the traditional summer months, but has spectacular 'frenzies' in winter.

Ichingo Chobe River is renowned for their excellent guides and for the number and quality of their tender boats. We use well maintained boats and engines and also have two jet boats allowing us to access the rapids, even in low water. The complete flexibility that the lodge offers also means that you have unlimited access to fishing as an activity as you can utilise your own private guide and boat in hours that suit you best.

Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is a premier fly fishing destination and we encourage anglers to try their hand at fishing for tiger on fly.

Day 1: All anglers fly out and arrive at CBJ Kasane International Airport, Botswana. You will be collected by vehicle and then transferred by boat and taken to Namibian Immigration. On arrival at the Houseboat you will be offered a welcome drink and introduction to the program. You can spend the afternoon fishing or enjoy a game cruise on the Chobe.
 
Day 2: Depart for 2 days on the houseboat, docking at different banks on the Chobe. Tender boats travel with you and you will be able to make your own timetable and arrange with your guide. Your boat will always be stocked with a cooler box full of drinks.
 
Day 4 Onwards:  Transfer to main lodge and depart from there at any time during the day for fishing with your private guide. Stay in your tented accommodation and have a braai on the sandbanks of the lodge each night or dine in the dining room.
 
Final Day: Depart lodge in the morning for Kasane.