In September 2013 my husband and I spent 4 nights on the Zambezi Queen, a lovely and well-run houseboat on the Chobe River. This was truly a highlight of our month-long stay in Southern Africa!
The cabin was very comfortable and attractive. In addition to the balcony along the side of the boat, this cabin has a balcony with two chairs and a table right at the front of the boat (next to the wheelhouse).
The booking for this "floating hotel" includes all excursions (most by small skiff so you can get really close to the animals), meals, drinks at meals (including wine) and game viewing. The choices are many: game viewing from the river, 1/2 day game drive in Chobe National Park, fishing, visit to a Namibian village...). We did everything except the fishing. Since our 2nd day was really an arrive or depart day for everyone else, Wayne, our wonderful manager, sent us off on a skiff with a private guide, Gibson (who was great) and a boxed lunch to spend as long as we wanted on the river! Highlights of our time on the river were seeing a herd of elephants crossing the river, seeing crocs up close and personal, and viewing many, many birds close up (no binoculars needed!) as they fished in the shallow water near shore. We even saw crocs feeding on an elephant carcass in the water! Our guides Gibson and Bernard shared so many interesting things with us and genuinely seemed to care about their jobs and the guests. We found no negatives at all about Zambezi Queen experience and enthusiastically recommend it. I would be happy to answer questions from any future travelers.
The cabin was very comfortable and attractive. In addition to the balcony along the side of the boat, this cabin has a balcony with two chairs and a table right at the front of the boat (next to the wheelhouse).