M/Y LUCY solar safari houseboat at sunset on an African lake

Solar-powered safari houseboats · Africa

Safari, from the water.

A unique experience, to be launched in Zambia: M/Y LUCY I

Sign up to stay informed In development · Launching 2028

The idea

Live an unsurpassed experience and view Africa in a way few ever will — drifting, with the wilderness drawn right up to the water's edge.

Elephant at a waterhole at sunset

At eye level

The wild comes to you

No engines, no dust, no convoy of vehicles. Just still water and the animals that live along the shore — Africa's nature at its best.

The experience

Unhurried days, drawn out in gold

A private charter for up to ten guests — the pace set by the light, the wildlife and the water, never the clock. A rare sense of freedom, far from the crowds.

01

Private multi-day charters

The vessel is yours — typically four to seven days, cruising slowly and quietly with a dedicated crew.

02

Wildlife from the water

Elephants, hippos and birdlife along the shoreline, with guided excursions ashore at golden hour.

03

Open-air dining under the stars

Show-cooking on the open deck, fresh and locally sourced, the savanna as your backdrop.

04

Sun deck & plunge pool

Loungers, a plunge pool and a viewing platform — the social high point, above the water, surrounded by stunning nature.

Service

Full-board

All meals, drinks and guiding included on board.

Charter

Whole boat or single cabin

Take the entire vessel privately, or book an individual cabin.

Rates

Seasonal pricing

Prices vary with the season.

The first vessel · M/Y LUCY I

Built for shallow water and long, quiet days

A twenty-metre solar-electric houseboat — the first of the fleet, fully autonomous for up to ten days and engineered around Africa's lakes and their wildlife.

20m
Length overall
7m
Beam
~0.9m
Shallow draft
10+3
Guests & crew
Accommodation
Four en-suite cabins + master suite
Energy
6–8 kW solar canopy · 15 kWh battery
Autonomy
Independent for 7–10 days
Construction
Steel hull + aluminium superstructure
Propulsion
Solar-electric · no exposed propellers
Classification
Bureau Veritas inland-waters framework

Layout

Three decks, one experience

Open-air living deck of M/Y LUCY
Deck 2 · Open-air living
Deck 3 · Sun deck

Sun deck

Sun loungers and a viewing platform — the social high point, above the water.

Deck 2 · Open-air living

Open-air living

Show-cooking kitchen, dining and lounge, and a plunge pool — all open to the lake.

Deck 1 · Accommodation

Accommodation

Four en-suite cabins plus a master suite, with full sanitary facilities.

Charter & service

Yours, by the boat or the cabin

Full-board service

All meals and drinks prepared on board by a private chef and dedicated crew.

Whole boat or single cabin

Charter the entire vessel for an exclusive private trip, or reserve an individual cabin.

Seasonal pricing

Rates vary by season; current pricing is shared on enquiry.

Zebras at a waterhole at sunset

The vision

Beginning in Zambia. Built for Africa.

M/Y LUCY I will launch on a remote lake in Zambia — the first of a fleet designed to reach more of Africa's great lakes and waterways, far from the crowds. One continent, seen as almost no one sees it: slowly, by water.

Considered to the last detail

Luxury that leaves no trace

True luxury, here, is silence and stewardship — every system designed to leave the water and its wildlife exactly as it found them.

01

Solar-first

A 6–8 kW solar canopy and 15 kWh battery — clean, quiet propulsion, free of fumes.

02

Zero discharge

A fully closed waste system — nothing is released into the water.

03

Wildlife-safe propulsion

No exposed propellers — protecting hippos, crocodiles and other animals.

04

Low acoustic footprint

Quiet operation to minimise disturbance on and around the water.

05

Reinforced hull

A wildlife-safe hull engineered to withstand hippo and crocodile contact.

06

A natural complement

Time on the water that extends the classic safari, rather than competing with the lodges.

Cape buffalo at a waterhole at sunset

Investment opportunity

Be part of bringing M/Y LUCY to life

M/Y LUCY is in active development. For those who are interested, there is the possibility to take part through an investment — in the first vessel in Zambia and the fleet that follows across Africa. We would be glad to share more, in confidence.

Enquire about investment

By private enquiry

Be among the first aboard

M/Y LUCY is now in development, with the first charters planned for 2028. Sign up to stay informed, and we'll keep you close to the project as it takes shape.

Etava GmbH · Marine Projects
info@houseboat-holiday.com

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