Game Drives
Daily land excursions allow guests to immerse themselves in the wonders of the Okavango Delta, a region as famous for its tawny grasslands and verdant riverine forests as the flood plains that fill with crystal clear waters each year. Xigera Safari Lodge offers guests the freedom to create their own Okavango Delta adventure, which is why we offer a uniquely flexible approach to our daily safari game drives. While there is always the option of an early-morning drive – when the cooler temperatures offer ideal conditions for game-viewing – guests who prefer a slower start to the day, perhaps with a rejuvenating yoga session on the spa deck, may also choose to head out later in the morning. When out on game viewing, guests will soon discover just why Xigera’s location is so remarkable. Situated on the western fringes of the Moremi Game Reserve, the surrounding islands and grassland promise some of the finest wildlife game viewing opportunities Botswana has to offer. While the Okavango is perhaps most famous for its watery channels, with the expert guides to lead you, look forward to unforgettable wildlife encounters on land.
Guided Walking Safaris
In the company of expert guides, see the puff of dust rising from your boot, lit by the morning sunrise. Feel its warmth on your cheeks, and the rustle of turpentine grass as you walk by. Hear the alarm call of a sitatunga at close range, and lift your gaze to admire the African Fish Eagle soaring overhead. Walking safaris – led by expert guides – are an opportunity to get your feet into the soil of the African wilderness. To truly connect with nature, and feel your senses sharpen. Only on foot can you truly appreciate the raw beauty of Africa.
Mokoro Excursions
Water is life at Xigera. As the floodwaters ebb and flow, they provide unforgettable opportunities to discover the wilderness from an entirely new perspective. An experience unique to the Delta is a morning spent gliding along flooded channels by mokoro, the dugout canoe used by generations for transport in a region where there are many more rivers than roads. Though traditionally carved from a single tree trunk, at Xigera Safari Lodge our innovative glass-bottomed mokoro – constructed from sturdy fibre-glass – allow for incredible views of the Delta both above and below. These mekoro are pushed along by experienced polers who grew up in these unique boats. Their polers stand to navigate through the water, and because the mekoro have no motor they are essentially silent, allowing us to approach even the shyest species without disturbing them.
Boating Excursions
Motorboat excursions allow for exploration of the deeper rivers and lagoons that are home to crocodile and large pods of hippo. These Double-Decker boats allow for fantastic wildlife viewing from the water. Please note that boating is seasonal water levels permitting.
Birding
From the coppery-tailed coucal to the western-banded snake eagle, wattled crane to lesser jacana, walking safaris are an ideal opportunity for enthusiastic bird-watchers to admire the 500 species recorded in the Okavango Delta. Xigera’s exceptional location on the fringes of the Moremi Game Reserve delivers some of the best birding Botswana has to offer.
Catch and Release Fishing
In Season, head out with expert guides for fishing excursions on the water. Available from March to November.
Spa & Wellness
The healing power of nature is ephemeral, yet undeniable. From the simple serenity of escaping into this untamed wilderness, to the deeply humbling nature of immersing yourself in a vast and ancient landscape, your hours at Xigera will leave you feeling revived, refreshed and rejuvenated. Hand-in-hand with the simple restorative powers of being at one with the natural world, our spectacular spa provides a tranquil haven for travellers. Meticulously designed to frame breathtaking views of the seasonal flood plains and lush riverine forests, in its soothing colour palette and organic textures, the spa exists in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape. At Xigera Safari Lodge their extensive selection of body and facial treatments has been custom-created to focus on three pillars of wellness: restoring, calming and purifying. Their signature treatments are complemented by an exclusive collection by Tata Harper, creating holistic spa rituals that offer a multi-sensory escape for guests. In tune with their nature-first commitment to sustainability, all treatments showcase wellness products that are hyper-potent, 100% natural and non-toxic. In addition to the Spa, Xigera Safari Lodge offers an extensive wellness programme, featuring international guest experts and pioneers in the fields of mindfulness, wellness and holistic healing, channelling the natural healing powers of the wilderness. The lodge showcases a modern fitness centre – with state-of-the-art equipment from Technogym – alongside a swimming pool with a stunning relaxation deck gazing over the river.
The Baobab Treehouse (Surcharge)
Xigera Safari Lodge has reimagined the magic of an African safari, and that innovation continues far beyond the lodge. For a truly immersive discovery of the Okavango Delta, discover this remarkable Baobab Treehouse, situated one kilometre away from the lodge, with a guide stationed close by. Here, amid the seclusion of this sculptural tree house you will experience Africa at its most raw, and most remarkable. Amid a stand of indigenous Croton trees, the striking steel structure – built in the evocative shape of a baobab tree – ascends nearly 10 metres above the floodplain, offering panoramic views from each of its three levels. The structure’s design was inspired by an iconic painting of a solitary baobab tree by Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, one of South Africa's master landscape artists. Inside the tree’s 'trunk', a winding staircase climbs nearly four metres above ground, delivering guests to the spacious bathroom on the first level. The bedroom is located on the second level, beautifully appointed with carved timber furniture by celebrated designers such as David Krynauw, John Vogel and Adam Birch. Both the bedroom and bathroom spaces have canvas walls that can open up entirely to the outside environment, or be zipped closed to allow for privacy and protection from the elements. Sounds from the surrounding bird-life, animals and insects drift through the tree-like branches and screened windows into the tented structure. Ascend to the top of the 'baobab' and the drama truly unfolds, with an open-air deck for lounging, reading and watching wildlife pass undisturbed below. A serene, hidden – and entirely safe – eyrie from which to witness the magic of the Okavango Delta at dusk or – if you choose to spend the night in the open-air king-size bed – to marvel at the jet-black sky punctured by the stars of the southern sky. The Baobab Treehouse Experience is tailor-made for each and every guest. Arrive after lunch for sundowners and a picnic-style dinner on the deck, or depart Xigera Safari Lodge after dinner for an unforgettable night’s sleep in the tree house of your dreams.
Bush Dining
At the heart of Xigera lies The Boma, Blacksmith Conrad Hicks' totemic sculpture Structure of Self. This is our centrepiece of al fresco dining where you can savour the vibrant flavours of Africa while soaking up unforgettable Okavango views from the terrace. From bush breakfasts and wild picnics to 'feet in the water' sundowners, memorable wild dining experiences are waiting to be discovered in the bush... As with so much of Xigera, you are allowed to create and curate your own dining experience. Their talented chefs have an 'anything, any time' approach, allowing you to choose what you would like to eat, when you would like to enjoy it, and where you would prefer to dine. Whether it’s a bush breakfast or a picnic on your private deck, our chefs are always happy to oblige. They say the Swiss invented the clocks, but Africa owns the time. At Xigera, that time is yours to savour.
Art & Design
A living art gallery... Join one of their managers or guides on an insightful and informative journey around the Lodge, taking in the key pieces that are showcased in our beautiful public spaces, from the Bar to the Boma, and from the Library to the Dining Room. Their team will share the background and stories behind Xigera’s living art gallery, highlighting the African creativity and craftsmanship of the bespoke works commissioned exclusively for the lodge from some of Africa's most exciting artists and artisans.
Helicopter Safari
Take to the skies to view Xigera from an aerial perspective – the only way to get a true sense of space and place. A helicopter game flight will take off right from the lodge. Guests are each given a headset to connect directly with the pilot, giving a unique opportunity to ask questions as you soar over the bush. Choose from scenic flights between 30 and 90 minutes, and you will get a bird’s eye view of the Okavango, certainly one of the best ways to view this spectacular landscape. This is a wonderful way to view the flora, fauna and wildlife that surrounds Xigera, and allows for ample wildlife or landscape photography shots from the skies.
