Overview

Xugana Luxury Lodge is situated in The Okavango Delta which braids across 15 000 km² of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, providing an oasis to an abundance of wildlife. In the permanent delta, the myriad of sparkling waterways coil amongst reed and papyrus beds, and open unexpectedly onto tranquil lagoons fringed by wooded islands.

Xugana Lagoon is widely accepted as being the most spectacular permanent water site in the Okavango Delta and Xugana Island Lodge is located in a private concession in its heart. The lodge, on a wooded island in the Xugana Lagoon, nestles beneath the shade of old wild ebony and African mangosteen trees facing the shimmering waters of the lagoon.

This exclusive reed and thatch structure blends into the surrounding landscape, and offers spectacular game viewing in an area rich in birdlife, wildlife and scenic beauty. Xugana prides itself on faultless service, comfortable accommodation, mouth-watering cuisine and attention to detail.

This luxuriant establishment is ideal for solo travellers, couples looking for a romantic getaway and groups of friends wanting to experience sumptuous surroundings in one of the most beautiful and diverse areas of the world.

Accommodation

The recently refurbished Xugana Island Lodge accommodates a maximum of sixteen guests in eight reed and thatch ‘Mesasas’. The rustically elegant chalets are on raised timber platforms and open onto private decks with spectacular views over the shimmering lagoon. All the chalets are en-suite and offer walk-in showers.

Wildlife

Xugana Island Lodge borders the Moremi Game Reserve, which has diverse habitats supporting a wide variety of animals. As well as possible sightings of wild dog, leopard and cheetah, other resident species include lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, hyena, zebra, kudu, red lechwe, sable and roan antelope.

Bird-watching is excellent throughout the year. Reed cormorant, African darter, Eastern white pelican, African spoonbill, Goliath heron, egrets, glossy ibis, sacred ibis, storks, geese and ducks are just a few of the many species that have been recorded in the area.

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Children
No children under 6 years old are accepted.
Children aged between 6 and 11 pay 50% of the adult rate, and children aged between 12 and 15 pay 75%.
Children above the age of 15 pay the full adult rate.
There are no child-minding facilities at the lodge.
Families with children aged 6 to11 will need to book private activities at an additional cost.
Children aged under 16 must share accommodation with a parent.
Please Note:
Xugana Island Lodge camp closure 01 February 2017 – 01 March 2017

Directions

• BY AIR:

• Xugana Island Lodge is located near Xugana Airstrip which is accessed by charter aircraft from Maun International Airport (IATA: MUB) and Kasane Airport (IATA: BBK).

• Kasane Airport is served by daily road transfers from Zambia’s Victoria Falls (IATA: VFA) and Livingstone (IATA: LVI) international airports.

• AIRSTRIP INFO:

GPS Coordinates: 19.2169444 (latitude) 23.0766666 (longitude)

• Privately owned and maintained by Desert & Delta Safaris, Xugana Airstrip is 900 metres long with a grass and sand surface and is licensed for aircraft of a maximum all-up weight of 2,300 kg.

• Prior written permission must be obtained from Desert & Delta Safaris before landing.

• Guests arriving and departing by aircraft or boat transfer are limited to a baggage allowance of 20 kg per person in soft sided bags (duffle type bags).

Overview

Location: Botswana–>Okavango Delta
Accommodation Type: Lodge
Comfort Level: Luxury

Good For: Couple/Romantic, Solo |

Tucked into a grove of towering hardwood trees, Abu Camp is an exclusive luxury lodge with six wonderfully spacious tents set along the edge of a lagoon in a private Okavango Delta concession. The surrounding grasslands, secluded islands and waterways are home to an abundance of big game, but the real stars of the show are Abu’s resident herd of African elephants.

Shortly after arriving at camp you’ll be introduced to the Abu herd, and throughout your stay there are plenty of opportunities to interact with these incredible creatures. Enjoy the gentle thrill of an elephant-back safari, walk with the herd as they amble through the bush, and watch them swim in a nearby lagoon. We also highly recommend a night in the Star Bed where you can lie cocooned in your comfortable bed, listening to the low rumbling and snores of the elephants in their enclosure.

Along with these unique experiences, Abu offers all the activities you’d expect from a luxury camp in the Okavango Delta: morning and afternoon game drives, scenic flights, and peaceful mokoro safaris along papyrus-fringed channels. The camp itself balances extreme luxury and a welcoming atmosphere, and has plenty of places to relax and unwind such as the open-air lounge, various decks looking out over the lagoon, a secluded swimming pool and even an outdoor gym.

Other highlights of a stay at Abu Camp include sundowners served in magnificent locations, surprise lantern-lit dinners out in the delta and, as the sky fills with stars, nightly chats around the campfire reliving your days’ adventures while swapping safari stories with the other guests.

Accommodation

Abu Camp has six spacious tents, each leading onto a private teak deck with sun loungers offering up great views over the lagoon and the floodplains beyond. The tented suites are individually decorated although each has a king-size bed, a lounge area with comfortable chairs, a writing desk, and lovely details such as carved wooden sculptures, steamer trunks and striking black-and-white photographs.

The en-suite bathrooms have both an indoor and outdoor shower, as well as a copper bathtub secreted away round the side of the deck. End your day’s game viewing soaking in this outdoor tub, a glass of wine close at hand as you listen to the twittering of birds in the surrounding fig and jackal-berry trees.

For the more adventurous there’s a Star Bed just a 10-minute walk from the main camp. The Star Bed overlooks the elephant boma and has a lower deck with an enclosed bathroom and an upper deck where you can lie in bed gazing up at a star-filled sky. Raised high off the ground you’ll be perfectly safe, as you’re lulled to sleep by the comforting sounds of the elephants in the boma below.

Wildlife

Abu Camp is best known for its rescued elephants and during your stay you’ll get to know their personalities and quirks from the playful and inquisitive youngsters to the wise matriarch, Cathy. The elephant handlers have clearly formed strong bonds with the animals and are only too happy to answer any questions you may have or tell the stories of how each elephant came to be a member of the Abu herd.

There’s plenty of other wildlife in the Abu Concession too including wild elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, large herds of buffalo, and several species of antelope. As for the predators, Abu Camp game drives offer up a good chance of seeing spotted hyena and leopard, lion often move through the area, and some lucky guests are treated to the sighting of a pack of wild dogs.

The Abu Concession’s diverse range of habitats (from grasslands and woodlands to lagoons and waterways) is a sanctuary for around 380 bird species. Avid birders are sure to add a few ticks to their lists with special sightings including the Lesser Jacana, Pygmy Goose, Wattled Crane, Coppery-tailed Coucal and Rosy-throated Longclaw amongst others.

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Children
Abu Camp does not have a family room
Children between the ages of 6 and 16 years can be accommodated as a triple share in a standard twin room with an extra bed
The range of activities is limited as a result of the minimum age requirement of 13 years of age
Children between the ages of 6 and 16 years may participate in a sleep out on the outdoor star-deck as well as on an elephant ride, provided they are accompanied by an adult,

Please Note:
Note that a maximum of 10 guests can be accommodated on the elephant activity at any one time. This number is comprised of 4 guests maximum riding the elephants (2 guests on each of two elephants) and 6 guests maximum walking alongside the elephants.
If one of the elephants is pregnant or nursing a young one, this number may reduce for a period, however, the overall elephant experience will be managed on the ground by the camp.

Directions

Maun ,Botswana.
-19.994004, 23.418571​

Overview

Location: Botswana–>Okavango Delta
Accommodation Type: Lodge
Comfort Level: Luxury

Good For: Couple/Romantic |

Mombo Camp sits on the northern point of Chief’s Island in the wild and watery heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Winner of numerous awards and accolades, this small and exclusive tented camp is famous not only for its apartment-sized suites but also for its superb game viewing which is said to be amongst the best in Africa.

Chief’s Island is the largest area of dry land in the Okavango Delta and as such is packed with wildlife, particularly predators. Game drives are the order of the day here, and although Mombo Camp doesn’t offer mokoro or walking safaris this hardly seems to matter when most guests are treated to up-close sightings of lion, spotted hyena and leopard. After all, the National Geographic documentary “Eye of the Leopard” was filmed here!

Between game drives you’ll find that Mombo Camp is a wonderful place to relax in luxury, surrounded by the tranquillity of the delta. Shaded by ebony and fig trees, this camp makes the most of its surroundings with an open-sided lounge, shaded daybeds and two plunge pools all overlooking a floodplain invariably dotted with game. Opt for a massage on your private deck or visit the small but well equipped outdoor gym to work off any twinges of guilt after all the delicious food.

Since Chief’s Island falls within Moremi Game Reserve, night drives are not allowed so evenings are spent chatting to other guests around the fire, drink in hand, as the sun goes down over the grassy plains. A candlelit dinner is served in the dining room, out on the main deck or in the lantern-lit boma where Mombo Camp hosts a weekly cultural evening with singing, dancing and traditional food served under a sky bright with stars.

Accommodation

Built under large, shady trees, Mombo’s nine spacious en-suite tents are raised two metres from the ground providing excellent views, with a long veranda, a sala and indoor and outdoor showers. a

The camp’s main living, bar and dining areas are under thatch, while the boma adds traditional flavour to delicious dinners under the stars. There are two plunge pools in which to soak and a gym to work off the excellent food.

Wildlife

Mombo Camp has a well-earned reputation for phenomenal predator sightings, making it a top choice for thrilling tooth-and-claw action. This small luxury camp overlooks a floodplain on the northwest point of Chief’s Island, an area of land that is home to large prides of lion, some of which hunt buffalo – the ultimate wildlife battle!

Chief’s Island is also known for its spotted hyena and incredible leopard sightings; you’ve even got a chance of seeing the famous leopard Legedema, the star of Dereck and Beverly Joubert’s documentary “Eye of the Leopard”. A large pack of wild dogs was often seen close to Mombo, however they were chased away by lions although at the time of writing there is still one wild dog named “Solo” who’s teamed up with a pack of jackals. A unique and endearing relationship!

Both black and white rhino have been reintroduced onto Chief’s Island, completing the Big Five. Other common big game sightings include giraffe, blue wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, numerous elephant and large herds of buffalo grazing the grassy plains. The birdlife too is prolific, and keen birders are sure to add a few more species to their life list including African Jacana, pygmy-geese, goliath heron and migrant waders.

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Children
Mombo Camp can only accommodate children 12 years and older.

Please Note:
Between 11 January 2017 and 30 June 2017, Mombo only will be operational with a total of 8 rooms. Little Mombo is closed over this period