Xugana Island Lodge | Best Botswana Safari Lodges

The place

We’ve never arrived at a safari camp by water before, and stepping from our light aircraft into a boat heightens the feeling that we are heading somewhere magical. The camp’s location, on the very fringes of Xugana Island, is quintessentially Okavango Delta – the boundary between terra firma and the aquatic realm is wonderfully blurred. I’ve gained my ‘lagoon legs’ by the time we arrive, and clamber eagerly onto the wooden jetty that connects the lodge to the water. Turning around, I look out over an expanse of water that seems squid-black at a distance, but is crystal clear closer to. Small fish dart beneath the lily pads, and we seek the shade, too, stepping beneath the spreading mangosteen and African ebony trees that cradle Xugana Island Lodge in an arboreal embrace. There’s a cool, watery feel to the light beneath the trees, and we move between pools of shade to experience the view from every possible angle. Rising fish create rings of ripples, and I can see that my partner will soon be angling for an excuse to throw in a line. Within minutes of arriving, we’re both hooked on the place, one of Botswana’s best safari lodges.

We’ve never arrived at a safari camp by water before, and stepping from our light aircraft into a boat heightens the feeling that we are heading somewhere magical. The camp’s location, on the very fringes of Xugana Island, is quintessentially Okavango Delta – the boundary between terra firma and the aquatic realm is wonderfully blurred.

I’ve gained my ‘lagoon legs’ by the time we arrive, and clamber eagerly onto the wooden jetty that connects the lodge to the water. Turning around, I look out over an expanse of water that seems squid-black at a distance, but is crystal clear closer to.

Small fish dart beneath the lily pads, and we seek the shade, too, stepping beneath the spreading mangosteen and African ebony trees that cradle Xugana Island Lodge in an arboreal embrace.

There’s a cool, watery feel to the light beneath the trees, and we move between pools of shade to experience the view from every possible angle. Rising fish create rings of ripples, and I can see that my partner will soon be angling for an excuse to throw in a line. Within minutes of arriving, we’re both hooked on the place, one of Botswana’s best safari lodges.

The room

The view from our room is even more special, as we won’t be sharing it with anyone. Except, perhaps, the Pel’s fishing owl who, we’re told, uses a branch of the ebony tree above us as his preferred perch during his piscivorous patrols. I’m enraptured by the design of our luxury chalet. Its reed walls and thatch roof remind me of the weaver bird nests we’ve seen, and it’s entirely appropriate to where we are. The natural materials make us feel even closer to Nature – it’s literally at our fingertips. I step around the bed and push open the screen doors. Two folding chairs are arranged invitingly, and a V of white egrets chooses this exact moment to wing their way past. I fancy that they’re taking my worries with them, because in such serene surroundings it’s hard to imagine being perturbed by anything. My partner is delighted to have already spotted a black crake skulking along the shoreline; my own interests are more mammalian, and I smile at the joke that has made an unseen hippo chortle.

The view from our room is even more special, as we won’t be sharing it with anyone. Except, perhaps, the Pel’s fishing owl who, we’re told, uses a branch of the ebony tree above us as his preferred perch during his piscivorous patrols.

I’m enraptured by the design of our luxury chalet. Its reed walls and thatch roof remind me of the weaver bird nests we’ve seen, and it’s entirely appropriate to where we are. The natural materials make us feel even closer to Nature – it’s literally at our fingertips.

I step around the bed and push open the screen doors. Two folding chairs are arranged invitingly, and a V of white egrets chooses this exact moment to wing their way past. I fancy that they’re taking my worries with them, because in such serene surroundings it’s hard to imagine being perturbed by anything.

My partner is delighted to have already spotted a black crake skulking along the shoreline; my own interests are more mammalian, and I smile at the joke that has made an unseen hippo chortle.

What sets it apart

It’s hard to look past Xugana Island Lodge’s location, and it’s hard to look away from the views from this Botswana safari lodge. Having permanent water so close alters the character of the experience – we’re looking forward to getting a hippo’s-eye view of the wetlands that give life to the Okavango. The fact that the water activities start straight from the camp means that we can enjoy the tranquility of an early morning mokoro excursion without hearing a diesel engine en route. Most of all, it’s the proximity of paradise that speaks to us; the sense that we’re immersing ourselves in this mystical, amphibious kingdom, and that we’re being made welcome.

It’s hard to look past Xugana Island Lodge’s location, and it’s hard to look away from the views from this Botswana safari lodge. Having permanent water so close alters the character of the experience – we’re looking forward to getting a hippo’s-eye view of the wetlands that give life to the Okavango.

The fact that the water activities start straight from the camp means that we can enjoy the tranquility of an early morning mokoro excursion without hearing a diesel engine en route.

Most of all, it’s the proximity of paradise that speaks to us; the sense that we’re immersing ourselves in this mystical, amphibious kingdom, and that we’re being made welcome.

At a glance

Set along the edge of a large island, Xugana Island Lodge looks out from beneath a canopy of trees and over a large body of permanent water. There are just eight luxury reed-and-thatch chalets, along with a swimming pool, boma and open-air dining space.
Private concession with exclusive traversing rights, limited numbers of guests per activity, flexible schedules, private dining available and private activities available (additional cost).
Game drives, motorboat and mokoro excursions, walking safaris, birding, catch-and-release fishing (seasonal) and scenic helicopter flights (additional cost).
Children over six are welcome. Private activities must be booked by families with children aged 6–11. Although there’s no family chalet, a third (camper) bed for a child can be added to the parent’s room.

Set along the edge of a large island, Xugana Island Lodge looks out from beneath a canopy of trees and over a large body of permanent water. There are just eight luxury reed-and-thatch chalets, along with a swimming pool, boma and open-air dining space.
Private concession with exclusive traversing rights, limited numbers of guests per activity, flexible schedules, private dining available and private activities available (additional cost).
Game drives, motorboat and mokoro excursions, walking safaris, birding, catch-and-release fishing (seasonal) and scenic helicopter flights (additional cost).
Children over six are welcome. Private activities must be booked by families with children aged 6–11. Although there’s no family chalet, a third (camper) bed for a child can be added to the parent’s room.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.