Xigera Safari Lodge
XIGERA SAFARI LODGE IS A SUPERB LUXURY EXPERIENCE IN THE WESTERN OKAVANGO DELTA.
Xigera Safari Lodge is one of the most opulent safari lodges in Botswana (with a price tag to match) and caters for guests who desire sumptuous luxury as well as a prime Okavango Delta safari experience. Located in the private Xigera concession on the western edge of the Moremi Game Reserve, the safari experience is very exclusive and Xigera is certainly one of the top two or three luxury experiences in Botswana. The suites are enormous and include air conditioning, flat screen TVs and full room service, while lodge facilities include a wellness spa, swimming pool, wine cellar and boutique, as well as showcasing a collection of art. The only thing we were surprised not to see was private plunge pools with each suite, a decision which has been made on sustainability grounds. Xigera is the perfect place in the Okavango Delta to combine a super wildlife viewing experience with ‘five star hotel’ levels of luxury and service.
Rooms
Accommodation is offered in 12 luxurious tented suites each overlooking the floodplains. The suites are built onto raised wooden platforms and have polished timber flooring. Each spacious suite consists of a lounge, bedroom and large en suite bathroom with double basin, flush loo, freestanding bathtub and both indoor and outdoor showers. To the side and fore is an outdoor deck with a shaded sala and daybeds from which to enjoy the views. One of the suites is a two bedroomed family suite which has an additional en suite bedroom accessed from the shared lounge. The second bedroom is slightly smaller with a bathroom at the back of the bedroom rather than to the side. As well as air conditioning, each suite comes with a flat screen TV, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities and full room service.
Central Areas
The thatched central areas are opulent and feature incredible artwork from artists from across the continent (which are available to purchase). The main areas include a bar/lounge, dining area, outdoor boma, climate-controlled wine cellar where you can enjoy wine tasting, reception area, air-conditioned library and a viewing deck. Accessed from the main area is the spa with two treatment rooms, a swimming pool, gym and outdoor yoga deck.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Okavango Delta, including the Moremi Game Reserve, is a stunning wilderness area comprised of open plains, permanent water channels and lagoons, papyrus swamps, palm islands, riverine, savanna and mopane woodland and extensive flood plains. It is home to all kinds of African wildlife from elephants, hippo, giraffe and buffalo to the full range of predators and nocturnal species. Birding is fantastic.
Activities
Activities are dependent on water levels. When flood water levels allow, superb boat cruises and glass bottomed mekoro can be enjoyed. When the flood has receded, game drives and nature walks (provided the grass is not too long) can also be enjoyed. Catch and release fishing is available between March and December. There is also plenty to enjoy without leaving the lodge including a self-guided art and design tour (with audio guide and a specially created map) and scheduled yoga classes. At extra cost, it is possible arrange a sleep out experience at the impressive Baobab Treehouse, which is located one kilometre away from the lodge out in the bush. The treehouse has a sculptural design, built of steel to look like a baobab tree, rising around 10 metres above the floodplain. There are three floors to the treehouse, all linked by a spiral staircase – the bathroom is on the first floor, and a bedroom is on the second floor. Both bedroom and bathroom have roll down canvas sides with screen mesh, so guests can choose whether to leave them open to the elements, or zip them closed. There is then a top deck which is open air and where guests can enjoy sundowners and a picnic-style dinner (it is also possible to make a king size bed up on the top deck and enjoy the night under the stars).
Seasons
Xigera Safari Lodge is open year-round, though the best game viewing is generally from June through to early November.
Xigera Safari Lodge accepts children from the age of six years (children must be aged 12 or over to participate in walking and mokoro excursions) and the two bedroom family suite provides an exceptional space for families wanting to be all under one roof. Xigera certainly comes at an expense, with children being charged at the full adult rate, but for families looking for an opulent five star safari base with all mod cons, Xigera has to be considered.
Protecting Botswana’s biodiversity is core to Xigera’s mission whilst also believing that tourism can be a powerful agent of change, empowering communities and shaping futures.
Xigera works alongside a number of organisations to protect the remarkable delta ecosystem. Wild Entrust is Xigera’s cornerstone conservation partner. This Botswana-based NGO combines applied science, education, and sustainable development to protect wildlife and habitats.
In partnership with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Xigera helps track genetic hybridisation in local populations. They also use cutting-edge, non-invasive technology to monitor key predator populations and also support endangered birds of prey and wattle crane conservation efforts. Xigera collaborates with Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks to monitor wildlife activity and support anti-poaching initiatives. They also work with EcoExist, an organisation that seeks to reduce conflict and foster coexistence between elephants and people.
Xigera’s partnership with Wild Entrust Africa also supports the local Habu Village community through three community-focused projects, covering conservation, education and women’s empowerment.
To address income poverty alleviation amongst Habu’s women and out-of-school youth a women and youth cooperative has been established to produce and sell high quality, organic vegetables for locals and the tourism industry, including Xigera Safari Lodge. This project has provided training for Habu women in best agricultural practice, help with maintenance and the improvement of garden plots and fencing, development of a vegetable farm stall in Habu village, and supply of compost generated at Xigera from organic food waste to improve the soil structure and reduce reliance on inorganic fertilisers.
Wild Entrust also facilitates a Coaching Conservation programme at the Habu primary school which engages school children in understanding the value of conservation through play and sport-led learning.
Coaching Conservation has also established the Village Lights project to address domestic energy security issues in Habu Village by providing solar to students as well supplying supplementary conservation-led learning materials.
Guests at Xigera are given the opportunity to visit Habu Village, where they can tour the local school, village and gardens.
