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Xugana Island Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Water-based safari activities only
- Situated on the Xugana Lagoon
- Outstanding bird-watching opportunities
- Incredible views from guest chalets

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Overview

Situated on a private concession beside the Xugana Lagoon along the Okavango Delta, Xugana Island Lodge boasts a spectacular view of a permanent water site that quenches the thirst of the Kalahari Desert sands and the migrant birds and reptiles that inhabit it. It is a safari experience that cherishes the opportunity to get up close and personal to the diverse nature the area attracts.

Xugana Island Lodge is a water-based camp. As such, safari game drives are not possible. However, the camp offers many other water-based activities that focus on bringing guests closer to the wilderness of the surrounding life-giving waters. Professional guides navigate guests through waterways as they explore the Okavango by canoe or by motorboat and along the various islands on nature walks. The camp offers guests a great chance to track the larger species that inhabit the areas around the water and provides exceptional bird-watching opportunities. With water based activities only, this is not the place to come for guaranteed sightings, which are generally much easier to come across from a 4WD. Catch and release fishing for bream and tiger fish is a unique activity to the camp, but something guests can do only during specific times of the year.

A maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated at the camp at any one time, which makes the experience feel very personal and private. Hidden among the riverine trees of Xugana Island, the main lodge features a swimming pool that is located within the mature gardens in the Island’s centre. Its lounge and bar areas are set beneath an Ebony and African Mangosteen tree canopy in open-sided thatched structures. An open boma and al-fresco dining area overlooks the gorgeous expanse of the permanent Delta. All of this is designed to break down the barriers between home and the wilderness beyond whilst also using that nature to create a very intimate and secluded space that is perfect for relaxing.

The camp’s 8 chalets are twin-bedded and have en-suite bathrooms. The chalets, which are luxuriously large raised reed and thatched, face the lagoon beneath the shaded fringe of the island and feature sliding glass doors and teak private viewing decks so guests can look out over the great vistas from the comfort of their own living space. The camp does not have a family unit, which means that only one child under the age of 12 years can share a room with their parents. Families with more than one child under the age of 12 years must split up into separate tents: one adult per child. Only children over the age of 6 years are welcome, and families with children between the ages of 6 and 11 must book private activities at an additional cost.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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