Xugana Island Lodge

Highlights

• Overlooking the Xugana Lagoon in the beautiful Okavango Delta.
• The most spectacular permanent water site in the Delta.
• Xugana Island Lodge offers one an experience from the bygone years.
• Excellent bird-watching.
• Bream and Tiger fishing.
• All game activities lead by experienced, professional guides.

Camp Description

The Xugana Lagoon, part of Xugana private concession, is widely accepted as being the most spectacular permanent water site in the entire Okavango Delta. Xugana Island Lodge, situated on a wooded island abutting the lagoon, takes full advantage of this magnificent site, with an open boma and al fresco dining area facing out over the expanse of pristine water that makes up the permanent Delta.

• The lounge, bar and dining areas are set back under the Ebony and African Mangosteen tree canopy in open sided thatched areas.
• The swimming pool, located amongst the mature gardens, in the centre of the island is a perfect place to relax.
• 8 reed and thatch chalets sleeping a max of 16 guests.
• Situated on the shaded fringe of the island.
• Each with a lagoon view through the lagoon-side vegetation.
• En-suite facilities and showers.
• Private decks.

Game Viewing

Xugana Lagoon has, for thousands of years, been a safe haven for the Bushman people who hunted this pristine water world. Xugana Lagoon is in the permanent Delta, a world of crystal clear waterways winding through vast reed and papyrus beds, opening unexpectedly onto tranquil lagoons, home to bream, catfish and the fighting tiger-fish and fringed by secret wooded islands, haven for the magnificent bird and wildlife that inhabit the Delta.

The Okavango Delta is arguably the finest wilderness wetland in the world; renowned as a haven for rare species such as the elusive sitatunga antelope and the Pel's fishing owl, the Delta is also a bird-watchers paradise.

Xugana borders the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and, as such, includes a diverse habitat that supports a wide variety of animals, with possible sightings of Wild Dog, Cheetah and Leopard being highlights. Resident species include Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Kudu, Red Lechwe, Sable and Roan Antelope and many more. Birdwatching is excellent throughout the year. Guided nature walks to the Delta's islands afford an opportunity to track the larger species that inhabit this wilderness area.

Wildlife Activities

Mokoro trips in eco-friendly dugout canoes built to the traditional design, boat safaris to lagoons and islands and wilderness walks give guests the chance to see the Delta denizens such as sitatunga and lechwe antelope, crocodile and hippo, as well as the other big game that frequents the islands and riverine fringes. Bird-watching opportunities are outstanding, and the bream and tiger fishing can be excellent at certain times of the year. The peaceful boat ride back across Xugana Lagoon during the spectacular African sunset provides a lifelong memory. All activities are conducted by our experienced naturalist guides, who, as well as ensuring that guests come to no harm, are keen to impart their vast knowledge and love of this unique area.

How to Get there

ExpertBotswana can arrange flights to Botswana from Johannesburg or Cape Town into Maun or Kasane, where most safaris start and end. Transfers from Maun/Kasane are done by light aircraft into the camps Inter-camp transfers are done by light aircraft, road, boat or mokoro.

Child Policy

No children under 12 years are accepted.

Electricity

• Generator power (AC 220V) is available during the day and evening.
• 12-volt DC lighting is supplied for night time use, after the generator has been switched off.
• Video batteries can be recharged - AC 220

Malaria

Malaria is found in the central, western and northern areas of Botswana.