Highlights
- Water-based safari activities only
- Situated on the Xugana Lagoon
- Outstanding bird-watching opportunities
- Incredible views from guest chalets
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694
EnquireSituated 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.
Dear Lisa. On behalf of the three generations of the Rowland family. Thank you, so much, for organising our wonderful holiday to Botswana and the Victoria Falls. The trip of a lifetime. The week mobile camping in the bush, with our guide Nandos and his crew was a fantastic adventure. How they manage to cook such wonderful food on an open fire is amazing. The sites were constantly visited by monkeys and once by elephants. We were even lucky enough to see two packs of wild dogs, once with a kill. Waterberry Lodge on the Zambezi River is a wonderfully tranquil place. Ideal to relax after the adventures of our safari and visiting Victoria Falls. Very many thanks once again
Godfrey R
reviewing Private Mobile Family Safari in Botswana
on 25 September 2023
We had a great time - even with the flight between Governors and the coast being two flights and a car! We also experienced a power cut At Nairobi airport on the way home so 2+ hours late taking off. Governors. Wonderful people and dealt with the flight delay very well - taking us back and letting us know that we could stay there if the flight was delayed overnight. The game drives were excellent and our guide (Erick) obviously very experienced and managed to find all the key animals - no rhino in that part of the Masai Mara but everything else in abundance - never seen so many herbivores (many many elephants as well as all the others) as well as two prides of lions. Could not have asked for more. The ‘tent’ was excellent and comfortable and well serviced. The only ‘complaint’ would be that the food - especially dinner - could be improved (I think we got a bit bored of soup as a starter for every meal bar one) and the main courses were not at the same level as Kinondo Kwetu and while all were explained there was no choice offered. The breakfasts were just what was needed after an early game drive. Kinondo Kwetu. What a great location and the welcome when we arrived at just gone 11.00pm was better than you could have ever thought possible - they we’re disappointed that we did not at that time want the full dinner experience! The rooms we’re comfortable. The food was excellent but again no choice was offered - other than for allergy reasons (which we do not have). May be some choice would be nice. Having said that the food we did have was excellent as were the wines (albeit a short list!) and other drinks. There were (as you know) lots of facilities/sports options - but we spent our time relaxing which was exactly what we needed and there were lots of places to do that. Overall. We would go back to both places - perhaps a few more nights at Kinondo Kwetu next time but 3 nights at Governors was perfect for us. Thank you for organising and recommending both places. That you and your colleague for trying to find out about the plane (flat tyre) but communication by the flight company left a lot to be desired (Governors were furious that they were not told and had taken us to the airstrip). Phil
Philip R
reviewing Masai Mara Safari & Kenya Beach
on 01 September 2023
It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve
Stephen H
reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari
on 01 September 2023