Welcome

Noah's Raft - a Floating House Boat

Pin Location to the gate where you enter, entry into keypad: 1234#

Pin Location to the parking area & jetty:

Drive approximately 2 km along the gravel road (suitable for most vehicles; if you have a very low car, please check with us first). Park in the designated area next to the lake and walk down to the jetty, where your self-drive transfer boat will be waiting. Load your luggage into the boat—this is where the adventure begins!

• See video below with full boating instructions

• No skipper’s license required

• Head RIGHT (towards the mountains — not the ocean)

• Follow the natural curve of the water – you can’t get lost or not find the houseboat. After ±200–300m, the lake opens up — and the houseboat appears.

Boat Operations

Bad Weather

Windy or rainy weather:

→ you will be exposed to conditions on the transfer boat

→ you will get wet during rainy weather

If conditions are unpleasant, rather wait it out.

Night Drives

If you arrive in the dark, it will be dark on the water. There is a light at the jetty as well as on the transfer boat.

Only proceed if comfortable navigating – House Boat is easy to find.

Boat Assistance

Driving the transfer boat to the houseboat is part of the experience, but if you feel unsure or hesitant, please let us know before your arrival.

We can try to arrange transport to and from the houseboat, however:

This is subject to staff availability and timing.
It must be arranged in advance (not guaranteed on the day)
Additional costs will apply

We’ll always do our best to assist, but early communication is key.

Boat Safety

Emergency Contact details can be found below, on the boat and inside the House Boat.

All guests MUST familiarize themselves with our full safety instructions.

Click below:

Full Safety Info

Let's Address The Weird Stuff First...

Marine Toilet System

The House Boat uses a marine toilet with electric mulching system.

How to Flush:

Press and HOLD the black button/switch by the toilet.
Hold until waste is fully cleared.
Then release the button.

If the waste is not fully cleared, it will harden and result in blocking the toilet as the mulcher won’t be able to process it.

🚫 Only Toilet Paper & human waste - VERY IMPORTANT

No wipes, tampons, pads, or anything else – this WILL block the mulcher system in the toilet.

If the toilet blocks, it must be fully dismantled by a staff member.

This is not an immediate fix, and you may be without a working toilet until someone is available.

💥 Blockage fine: R5,000 (must be paid before we can attend)

Water in Taps

Water is drawn directly from the vlei (lake) and filtered.

Important:

Slightly dark in colour
Slightly salty taste (water is linked to the ocean)

Do not drink or cook with this water (Although clean, the salty taste is not pleasant)

Safe for showering and brushing teeth
We provide 10L fresh drinking water

Items Provided

We’ve stocked the cabin to keep things easy and comfortable — and to help you pack a little lighter.

Kitchen Basics & On Arrival Items

Basic Spice, Olive Oil, Sugar, 10L Fresh Drinking Water, Local ground Coffee, Rooibos tea, Rusks, Black Bags

Bathroom

Toiletries: Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, Bubble bath, Handwash
2 x Bath towels, 2 x Swimming Towels, 2 x Cozy Robes, 1 x Extra Warm Blanket

Fire & Braai

Wood (roughly 200 pieces), 1 x box of firelighters, matches
Extra wood can be ordered & delivered onto the House Boat Before Arrival (R190 per 100 pieces) – please arrange in advance

Cooking & Staying In

You’re fully equipped to stay in and enjoy:

· Gas stove & oven

· Coffee: French Press & Moka Pot

· Microwave, toaster

· Swart Potjie (for cooking on the fire)

· Fondue pot for chocolate or cheese

· Baking trays, mixing bowls

· Braai grid & utensils

· Ice Machine (May be stored in the cupboard. Plug in and pour fresh drinking water in the main opening. Set ice block size to large)

And now - The Main Reason hubby booked this getaway...

The Fishing!

The vlei is home to local species, most commonly barber (catfish).
Guests are welcome to fish, but must bring their own equipment.
Fishing is best done:
- From the side of the houseboat
- Or from the transfer boat

Helpful tips:

Barbel are bottom feeders → simple bait works (chicken livers, worms, meat, etc.)
They are quite large. A slightly thicker line is recommended as they tend to snap lines easily.
It’s more about the experience than guaranteed catches

Space on the boat is limited — please fish carefully and avoid damaging furniture with hooks.

Swimming

Swimming is allowed at own risk.
No Diving.
The vlei is shallow (±1–1.5m in most areas
Water is calm, with no strong currents
This is a natural body of water — visibility is low (water is dark in color due to natural tannins). Water is slightly brackish (mix of fresh + salt water).
You may feel soft mud under your feet
Guests should be comfortable in open, natural water

Solar Powered

Entire system runs on solar power

You may hear:
Pump switching on/off occasionally.
This is a light, system sound. This is normal.

Managing Power

Please limit power usage at night and on cloudy days.

Avoid heavy-use items (Heating appliances) during these times:

Microwave / Toaster /Hairdryer / straightener.

Best used during sunny daytime

If Power Runs Out

Inverter will beep (in bedroom cupboard)

You can switch it off to stop noise

Important:

If inverter is OFF → it cannot recharge
Turn it ON in the morning for charging

Without power the pump can’t supply water

Meaning no functionality in:

Toilet – won’t be able to flush
Bath / Shower / Kitchen Basin – no water supply