12-Day Botswana's Finest Highlights Safari (Premier)

Explore the wilderness on twice daily game drives, and encounter the rich wildlife of the Linyanti. The open 4x4 vehicles allow us to host four guests at a time, with each guest having a ‘window’ seat, thereby offering a more exclusive experience and dedicated time with your passionate guide. Highlights include witnessing fascinating predator interactions, and large elephant herds. Plains game, and the amazing birdlife diversity, offer fantastic sightings as well.

Experience the thrill of a night drive using spotlights to find some of the most amazing, elusive nocturnal animals. These often include lesser bushbabies, spring hares, aardwolf, servals, large spotted genets and, if you are extremely lucky, the elusive pangolin.

Walking in the wild with skilled, armed guides are a wonderful way of being closer to nature. Observe the smaller creatures that you may miss when travelling by vehicle.

* Seasonal and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide.

Explore the Linyanti River by barge, perfect for lunches, picnics, or sundowners. Glide past sleeping hippos, or find crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the lagoon. Water-based game viewing at its finest.

* Water levels permitting.

Boating is another idyllic form of water wildlife viewing in the remarkable Linyanti. Search for those elusive birds so prevalent in calm channel waters.

* Water levels permitting.

Fishing is on a catch and release basis, with camp providing a small stock of basic rods and reels, whereas all fly fishing equipment is to be supplied by guests if required.

* Note that fishing is seasonal as it is prohibited by Botswana law in January and February due to breeding purposes.

Birding is outstanding here, from Okavango specials to mopane woodland species. The Savuti Channel is famous for its high concentration of eagles and raptors. This paradise is internationally recognised as an IBA (Important Bird Area) so do keep your binoculars close at hand!

At the wellness centre, the fully qualified, in-house therapist team offer signature treatments using natural body care products, drawing on bespoke scents developed to capture the essence of soulful relaxation and restoration.

The range of treatments on offer complements the holistic health and wellness journey that is a Wilderness DumaTau safari – and ties guest activities back to the camp’s stated purpose. Time in the wilderness has always had the potential to revitalise the spirit, and at Wilderness DumaTau, this has been taken to the next level through meaningful layers of experiences.

This spa sanctuary is further enhanced by the reimagined menu, which draws on locally sourced ingredients to provide healthier meals that add to the wellness journey, and are in tune with both Botswana’s agricultural heritage, and the latest thinking on nutrition, authentic flavours and sustainable farming.

Nestled into the lush bush for privacy is The Osprey Retreat which includes a drinks and snack counter area, gym, and a Safari Boutique.

* All treatments at an additional cost.

The outdoor stargazing/floating fire deck will continue to be a highlight for guests as they are almost immersed in the wondrous Linyanti River. The perfect spot for a sundowner!

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 Spa treatment, 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 our expert guides to lead you, look forward to unforgettable wildlife encounters on land.

Our Vehicles:

Guest comfort on safari game drives is paramount. That’s why Xigera Safari Lodge operates a brand-new fleet of custom-built 4x4 vehicles, seating a maximum of both 4- and 6-seats. Especially adapted for the demanding environment of the Okavango Delta, these supremely capable off-road vehicles ensure no sighting is out of reach. Please note no night drives due to Moremi Game Reserve National Park regulations.

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 Lechwe at close range and lift your gaze to admire the African Fish Eagle soaring overhead.

Walking safaris – led by our 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.

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 – allow for incredible views of the Delta both above and below.

Our mekoro are pushed along by experienced polers who grew up in these unique boats. Our 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.

Seasonal motorboat excursions allow for exploration of the deeper rivers and lagoons that are home to crocodile and large pods of hippo. Our Double-Decker boats allow for fantastic wildlife viewing from the water. Please note that boating is seasonal water levels permitting.

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 over 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.

In Season, head out with our expert guides for fishing excursions on the water. Available from March to November.

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 our extensive selection of body and facial treatments has been custom-created to focus on three pillars of wellness: restoring, calming and purifying.

Our signature B|Africa spa 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 our nature-first commitment to sustainability, all treatments showcase wellness products that are hyper-potent, 100% natural and non-toxic.

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.

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 our 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.

Please note the Baobab Treehouse is at a surcharge and cannot be pre-booked.

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 local cultural experiences and story telling from our staff.

From bush breakfasts and wild picnics to ‘feet in the water’ sundowners, memorable dining experiences are waiting to be discovered in the bush...

As with so much of Xigera, we let you create and curate your own dining experience. Our 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.

A living art gallery...
Join one of our 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 Lily Fire Place.

Our 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.

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.

Take game drives and night drives in custom built 4x4s to spot the unique desert wildlife that inhabit the pans, like the elusive brown hyena or Kalahari lion. Your experienced safari guide will help you discover a desert landscape, pulsating with life. Complete with bush picnics, morning coffees and chilled drinks.

Get up close and personal with our families of meerkats. Leaving camp as the sun begins to rise you will accompany these inquisitive members of the mongoose family as they set off in search of their breakfast. Walk amongst them (you're not allowed to touch or feed them) and if you take a seat you might be lucky enough to be mistaken for a termite mound, where you'll be used as a look out point for predators.

Discover the secrets of the pans with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a fascinating bush walk. See this ancient desert landscape through their eyes. These skilled hunter gatherers will show you how to survive, using their extraordinary tracking skills to uncover a smorgasbord of culinary delights... from bulbs, to scorpions, to berries. Spending time with them is a very rare privilege.

Saddle up to explore this wild, unspoilt area in the same way many of the earliest explorers, hunters

and missionaries did – on horseback! You’ll embark on an adventurous outride (for all level riders). This is an exhilarating way to spot wildlife, cantering along the crusty salt flats and following the animal

highways that bring life to the Makgadikgadi Pans.

This is pure desert adventure! Take an exhilarating quad bike across the salt-crusted pans (all pan activity is weather permitting and dependent on the dryness of the pans). You’ll feel total freedom as you trek across this vast and ancient landscape, discovering so much about the remnants of this once super lake.

Seasonal: April - October

A visit to the Fallen Baobab - one of the three largest and oldest trees in Africa and reputedly the campsite of Livingstone and Selous.

Witness the second largest migration in Africa. A stonking spectacle of black and white stripes

as approximately 30,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate across the Makgadikgadi Pans, followed closely by stalking predators, waiting for the rich pickings of tired hooves. This is a wildlife explosion and an experience not to be missed!

This really is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the Makgadikgadi Pans, doors off (or on), to take in the vastness of this desert landscape. You’ll go in search of the zebra and flamingo migrations (if timed correctly), get dropped on an island of baobabs for lunch, do a bit of sunset sky surfing as you follow the palm tree linings and tell all your friends about it all when you get home.

Grab a fat bike and peddle around the Makgadikgadi Pans. This is a really fun activity for the whole family, and an ideal way to get some exercise. These bikes can easily cruise over the desert terrain, taking you along 4x4 tracks and around the crusty salt flats. Keep a look out for sightings of wildlife, while breathing in the beautiful scenery, alongside the desert silence.

If you are in need of some serious time out, then one of our spa treatments is your perfect escape. Our professional therapist will put you in seventh heaven. Book a back massage overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment from the privacy of your tent. Whichever you decide, you’ll walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are one of the most important breeding sites in southern Africa for

the lesser and greater flamingos. These flying flame birds, arrive in their millions during seasons of good rain, when millions of small shrimp and other crustaceans crack through the salty pan crust to spawn. The result, a pink extravaganza in the heat of the desert. You can also heli to Sua Pan to view the flamingos in Mar - Apr (scenic helicopter flight must be booked).