By Speaking to The Business Weekly, Lawrence Adam, the founder of the commercial luxurious Karoo Queen Houseboat at the Gariep Dam, in the Free State province, South Africa; tells us his inspirational story about how it all began and his future plans.
Adam’s story is that of a resilient visionary, having to navigate the challenging times and obstacles to see his unique dream come to fruition venturing into the tourism sector in the Free State province.
Pursuing his dream from the late 1980s and for it to become a reality only in 2022, shows how determined and dedicated Lawrence Adam was to his dream, and indeed, dreams don’t have an expiry date.
The Karoo Queen Houseboat received its license in December 2022 and cruises began on the beautiful open waters of the Gariep Dam in December of that same year.
Asked why he named his luxury houseboat the “Karoo Queen”, Adam explained that Boats are traditionally female, thus “Queen” and being in the beautiful Karoo, “Karoo”, thus named “Karoo Queen”.
The business idea came from an unfortunate incident that befell Adam’s family farm, instead of being despondent; he saw an opportunity and was inspired to pursue it.
“Our family farm was flooded by and disappeared under the rising waters of the massive Gariep dam, but I later saw and recognised the extraordinary opportunities the water-supply, hydro-electric and irrigation dam now provided in its central location in South Africa and coupled with the exceptional beauty of the Karoo landscape, wildlife and flora, the perfect recipe for good, unique and sustainable tourism in the form of a boutique houseboat able to reach the exceptional beauty of the Gariep Dam and its surrounds.
From backpacking adventures in Europe and America in the late 1980’s, research trips in Southern Africa including to Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe and Lake Jozini to investigate and experience houseboats, while farming full-time, to finally transforming the stunning Gariep Dam into a full-accommodation-houseboat haven and destination, my love of the dam’s stunning views, my dream of a luxurious boutique houseboat on the Gariep Dam became a reality with the launch of the Karoo Queen Houseboat in 2022 and my vision has brought unparalleled joy and relaxation to many guests,” said visionary entrepreneur Lawrence Adam.
The Karoo Queen is currently the sole commercial luxury full-accommodation houseboat on the Gariep dam. In addition to the Karoo Queen, Adam has a sailing yacht which they use to spoil their guests with stunningly beautiful sunset champagne cruises.
For high adventure-loving guests he has a motorboat used for high-speed water skiing and exhilarating tube-rides. The motorboat is also the ideal platform for game viewing on the islands and the surrounding Gariep National Game Park.
The Karoo Queen Houseboat provides a unique experience for tourists and locals visiting the Gariep Dam. The boat can comfortably accommodate 14 guests in 7 bedrooms. For sunset and steak-braai cruises, small weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries and special celebrations and is able to accommodate 30 people on-board
Like many other entrepreneurs, Lawrence Adam was without challenges; he had to find a way to overcome them to achieve his dream.
“Starting in 1989 when the idea first surfaced, sourcing good information was difficult as there was no internet and reliance was made on asking thousands of questions, sifting the answers for the correct information, which was time-consuming. Transporting materials for the building of the Karoo Queen to the farm near Bethulie and then to the Dam was logistically challenging. The third absolutely necessary challenge was compliance with SAMSA (the South African Maritime Safety Authority) regulations. The last very important issue is that of advertising this unique product,” said Adam.
The tenacious entrepreneur said he learnt some valuable lessons from his challenges; he said as with most pioneering business ventures, the individual-driven entrepreneurial approach is best, where quick and timely decisions are vital to project completion and ultimate success. The lessons include:
- Seek and ask advice from all quarters and change and adapt as necessary.
- Continual research of all things “house-boat”.
- Select the best “young-in-knowledge” information and apply it.
The business offers life-time experiences that one cannot afford to miss when visit Gariep Dam. They have a multitude of activities available to suit most of their guests, including bird-watching on and exploring the islands, close-up game-viewing from the motor-boat or yacht, water-skiing, tube-rides, sailing and fishing. And of course, relaxing on deck, taking in the magnificent scenery and sound of fish eagles calling and lapping water, is the ultimate activity to recharge one’s batteries, so to speak.
“The surprise, joy and relaxation people experience when they board the impressive Karoo Queen and with her gently slipping her moorings and gliding out of the harbour bay out to almost endless water, is absolutely wonderful to witness.
A hidden gem in South Africa, the Karoo Queen and her effect on guests is profound: it is as if a different and content personality sets in where guests experience nature in full and relax in this magnificent setting. When overnighting and staying moored to the islands (“The Island Experience”), the night sounds are only of nature heard through windows wide open, while the most beautiful, clear starry nights are the extraordinary backdrop to this ultimate experience. And, simply, being there with loved-ones is truly special and unique,” said Adam.
Boarding the Karoo Queen Houseboat, one is up for a unique experience of enjoying traditional Karoo meals including the iconic South African braai offers locally sourced, super-delicious Karoo lamb chops, scrummy ‘skaap stertjies’, ‘skilpadjies’, the must-try ‘skaap kop’ and prime steak.
Asked about his long term goals for his business, Lawrence Adam responded;
Bookings and “feet-on-board” will be optimum, mirroring the hugely successful Adam’s View Self-catering accommodation, overlooking the Gariep Dam and part of our business. Specifically, tender Boats (motorboat and yacht) upgraded, providing next-level service to guests on the Karoo Queen.
The “Island Experience” improved and upgraded. Marketing of a niche holistic product, specifically catering to the discerning individual.
As the country is heading towards holiday season, Adam is inviting visitors to the Free State to come experience the Karoo Queen Houseboat and enjoy Gariep Dam like never before.
“We offer the Ultimate Karoo Experience. People often think the Karoo is only vast, flat and dry areas, but hidden from view is this massive magnificent, beautiful gem: being on and experiencing the largest inland water surface in South Africa, in the dry Karoo, in boutique luxury is paradigm-shifting.
We are situated in the middle of South Africa, half-way between Johannesburg and Cape Town, making it the perfect half-way overnight stop if travelling for business or pleasure. Alternatively, for the ultimate relaxing holiday and experience, invite family and friends or colleagues from all over South Africa to meet in the centre of South Africa, for reunions, year-end functions, anniversaries and mile-stone birthdays.
We offer activities for every taste, whether you want to sip wine and relax or whether you want to go all out, soak up the sun, play in the water and have a great on-board party, the opportunities are endless,” invited Adam.
For bookings, you can follow the following instructions: Over-night accommodation in the harbour can be booked directly on-line from our website (www.karooqueen.co.za), but cruises should preferably be booked by contacting us directly on info@karooqueen.co.za / 076 686 6873 so we can discuss the best bespoke option for your group.
