Practical Information
Everything you need to know before your stay on the Shala River
Getting Here
Zgiboza Guesthouse is in Moll'Shosh, in the Shala River valley, Shkodër, Albania. There is no road access — the only way to reach us is by boat through Komani Lake. The canyon journey of about 1h 15m is part of the experience.
Public boat Recommended
Scheduled boats run daily in the season (May–October) between Koman and the Shala River.
- From Koman: 09:30 and 16:30
- From Zgiboza / Shala River: 07:30 and 15:00
- Journey time: about 1h 15m
- €25 per person for staying guests (round trip)
Private taxi boat
Need a different time? Arrange a private boat for your group.
- €150 one way · €300 both ways
- Up to 6 people
- Arrange it with us on WhatsApp
Step by step
- Get to Koman port. From Shkodër it is about 1h 30m by car or furgon. Arrive 20–30 minutes before the boat.
- Take the boat from Koman at 09:30 or 16:30. The ride through the Komani Lake canyon takes about 1h 15m.
- Arrive at Zgiboza. We meet you at the landing on the Shala River — send us your arrival time on WhatsApp.
- Leaving? Boats back to Koman depart at 07:30 and 15:00. Plan your onward bus or car for after arrival.
Where are you coming from?
Pick your starting point for a quick idea of the journey. Times are approximate — traffic, border queues and the boat timetable can change.
- Drive or take a furgon to Koman port — about 1h 30m.
- Arrive 20–30 minutes before the boat (09:30 or 16:30).
- Tip: sleeping in Shkodër the night before makes the morning boat easy.
- Boat Koman → Zgiboza, about 1h 15m. We meet you at the landing.
- Bus, furgon or taxi to Shkodër first (roughly 1h 30m–2h from Tirana, a little less from the airport).
- Then Shkodër → Koman port, about 1h 30m.
- For the 09:30 boat you would have to leave Tirana very early — most guests take the 16:30 boat or sleep a night in Shkodër.
- Boat Koman → Zgiboza, about 1h 15m. We meet you at the landing.
- Cross the border at Hani i Hotit to Shkodër — roughly 1 to 1½ hours depending on the queue.
- Then Shkodër → Koman port, about 1h 30m.
- Bring your passport; plan border time into your day.
- Boat Koman → Zgiboza, about 1h 15m. We meet you at the landing.
- You can also reach us from Fierza by boat across the lake — ask us for the current schedule.
- Lake boats depend on the season and water level, so confirm with us before you travel.
- Boat Koman → Zgiboza, about 1h 15m. We meet you at the landing.
Check-in & Check-out
Early check-in may be possible on request, subject to availability. Tell us which boat you're taking so we can be ready for you.
Late check-out may be possible on request. Please plan around the boat departure times above.
Facilities
Handcrafted timber interiors with river and mountain views
Shower, towels and toiletries in every room
Available in all rooms and common areas
Sunbeds by the Shala River, €10 per day per pair — cold mountain water, perfect for swimming
Meals and evenings on the veranda with views over the valley
Where guests gather in the evening
Meals & Dining
🍳 Breakfast
Included in all room rates. Homemade bread, local cheeses and organic eggs, sourced from our land.
🐟 Lunch & Dinner
Fresh fish from the Shala River, prepared with local ingredients and served on our veranda. See the Restaurant page. Reserve a table: seats are limited.
🥃 Drinks
Local drinks including rakia distilled in the mountains. Ask our team what's on offer today.