Shayamanzi - Houseboat | Hotel Accommodation
Accommodation in Jozini, Zululand - Kwazulu Natal
Shayamanzi House Boats: As you lie in your oak panelled cabin, the stars reflecting on the water and the moonlight shining through the fluttering, drifting curtains, you wonder what could be more romantic. The hippos snorting in the nearby bay remind you that you are surrounded by nature at its best.
Click to View Larger Image
Accommodation
Shayamanzi Houseboats offer cabins which are all 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. Shayamnzi 1 Sleeps 12 - 16 passengers There are 6 luxury cabins, each sleeping 2 passengers, which are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. The cabins are 3,6m x 3,5m and airy with large sliding window doors as your boundary to the water. For bigger groups up to 16 passengers, sleeper couches on the top deck are used to accommodate an extra 4 people who then share an ablution facility. Shaymanzi 2 Sleeps 20 - 24 passengers. There are 6 luxury cabins, each sleeping 2 passengers, which are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. The cabins are large and airy with large sliding window doors as your boundary to the water. There are another 4 luxury en-suite cabins on the lowest deck with two generous sized viewing windows. These cabins also have a lounge area, which is convertible for additional bedding for family accommodation.
Click to View Larger Image
Meals
Rates include all meals, including morning and afternoon teas and snacks.
Click to View Larger Image
Rates
Shayamanzi I : Exclusivity | R15 000 p/n (min 2 nights) |
Shayamanzi II : Exclusivity | R25 000 p/n (min 2 nights) |
Extra guests on top deck sharing an ablution facility Shayamanzi I and II : | (up to 4 people) - R750 p/p/p/n |
Transfer Rates : 1-6 passengers | R135 p/p |
Transfer Rates : 7-12 passengers | R105 p/p |
Transfer Rates : 13 or more passengers | R95 p/p |
Meals: | R375 p/p/p/n |
Per Person Bookings – Shayamanzi l and ll Bookings within 6 weeks of cruise date: | R1695 p/p/p/n |
Per Person Bookings – Shayamanzi l and ll Bookings outside 6 weeks of cruise date: | R3575 p/p/p/n |
Please contact us for our activities pricing guide.
Local Facilities and Attractions
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.
Directions
Travel to Shayamoya Tiger Fishing and Game Lodge where you leave your vehicle 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 at 2pm 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.
Shayamoya GPS Co-ordinates : * 27° 22’ 530 South 31° 48’ 406 East
Please note: There are road works between Piet Retief and
Pongola probably until sometime in 2010. This delays you a lot so either just be patient at the stops, or bring your passports along,
and go via Swaziland on a new tar road, through the Mahamba Border Post. As you are about to leave the town of Piet Retief, turn left
after the Toyota Car Dealership where there is a small green sign ‘MAHAMBA’. Travel straight along this road for 30km and you will reach
the border post. You will pass through the towns of Nhlangano, via Hluti onto Lavumisa/Golela, the Southern Border Post. The border posts
are efficient and the staff have a friendly attitude. Once through the border, travel for 8km and you will see Shayamoya entrance on your
right, at the top of the hill.
When travelling from Johannesburg :
There are a couple of different routes. * Exiting JHB on the N17 from
the South, head to Bethal. * Or exiting from the N12 via Witbank, pass through the Middleburg toll gate, take the R35 off- ramp towards
Bethal. * From Bethal, travel to Ermelo, to Piet Retief, and onto Pongola. * From Pongola, travel for 27km, turn left off the N2 highway
towards Golela/Swaziland border post. * After travelling 2km up a hill, turn left at the Shayamoya rocky/aloe entrance gate and follow the
1km dirt road to reception. * It is clearly signposted from the N2 highway.
When travelling from Pretoria :
* Take the N4 towards Witbank,
pass through the Middleburg toll gate, take the R35 off- ramp towards Bethal. * From Bethal, travel to Ermelo, to Piet Retief, to Pongola.
* From Pongola, travel for 27km, turn left off the N2 highway towards Golela/Swaziland border post. * After travelling 2km up a hill, turn
left at the Shayamoya rocky/aloe entrance gate and follow the 1km dirt road to reception. * It is clearly signposted from the N2 highway.
Alternatively :
* A longer but quieter and most scenic would be taking the N12 or N4 past Middleburg until the 2 Highways join, exit on the
R33 to Carolina. * There are a few left and right turns as you head onto Amsterdam and then Piet Retief, just follow the R33 signs.
* From Piet Retief follow the directions as above. * Watch out for the traffic cops just outside the little towns!
When traveling South from Kruger Park, Crocodile Bridge :
* The quickest route is through Swaziland using the Mananga, border post. * Continue
south towards Big Bend, to Lavumisa border post. * From here, travel for only 8 km into KwaZulu Natal, turn right at the
Shayamoya entrance up on the hill. When travelling North from Durban : * On the N2 highway, 40km past the town of Mkuze,
turn right towards Golela/Swaziland border post. * Continue for 2km and you will find the Shayamoya rocky/aloe entrance
on your left.
When travelling South through Swaziland :
* Exiting at the Golela border post, continue along this road towards the
N2 highway. * After 8km you will find the Shayamoya entrance on your right.