PRESTIGE ITINERARY 2024/2025 Sample only

The Silo Hotel offers wonderful private art tours that allow guests the opportunity to learn about the incredible African art scene and to celebrate the incredible artists and their work. Widely recognised as one of the best art hotels in the world (by the likes of Forbes and The Telegraph), The Silo Hotel houses a remarkable collection.

Situated below The Silo Hotel lies the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), the world's largest contemporary African art museum. This incredible space is a momentous mark on Africa’s cultural canvas, an exciting new era for African artists, and a remarkable achievement for our beautiful continent. This public, not-for-profit art museum collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits twenty-first century art from Africa and its Diaspora. Containing over 100 galleries, spread over nine floors, this exquisite space boasts a diverse and unique range of contemporary African art. Various tours of the museum are available, including AfriSam Audio Tours, Art Tours, Architectural Tours, and Children’s Tours.

The Silo Spa, located on the fourth floor of The Silo Hotel, has five treatment rooms, two of which can be made into a couple’s room. A tranquil space in which guests can relax and indulge in the latest therapies and spa techniques. There’s also a gym, sauna and a dedicated manicure and pedicure area. Enjoy signature treatments using top international products including Ling and Black Pearl. The Silo Spa is the only spa in Africa to use exclusive Ling products.

Robben Island, easily seen from the rooftop of The Silo Hotel, is situated only 9kms offshore from Cape Town. The island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because of its historic political importance, having been where Nelson Mandela lived for 18 of the 27 years that he was a political prisoner during the apartheid regime. It is advisable to allow us to pre-book this very popular tour on your behalf. Allow half a day for this tour.

Table Mountain is a great source of pride for Capetonians. At 240 million years old it is older than the Andes, the Rockies, The Himalayas and the Alps. It was acknowledges as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, a few years ago. A four-minute cable car ride will take you to the 1067m “table top”, with spectacular views on the way up. Enjoy walking along the pathways and taking photographs, there is also a restaurant for refreshments. Table Mountain hosts one of the richest floral kingdom on earth, with more than 1 470 floral species.

Cape Town has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches on offer. Clifton Beaches: there are four Clifton beaches, each as beautiful as the next. Camps Bay: the palm fronds of Camps Bay make for the most dramatic sunset pictures – and the main street across from the beach has a number of bars and restaurants and is a great spot for cocktails or a bite to eat. Muizenberg: head down to the Sunrise Beach in Muizenberg and take a surfing lesson with the local experts. Cape Point & Boulders Beach: explore the Cape Peninsula and see the fascinating penguins of Boulder’s Beach on a day trip from Cape Town. There are smaller, lesser known beaches - let us know how we can direct you to the beach experience of your choice. Please ask a member of our team should you need directions or transport.

The best place to experience Cape Malay cuisine is on a walking tour through the Bo-Kaap District in Cape Town, an area with steep cobblestone streets and brightly-coloured houses where former Cape Malay slaves settled in the early 19th century. Stop to enjoy a local bobotie, sosatie, koeksister or Cape Malay curry for lunch whilst learning about the rich heritage of the Cape Malay people who live there.

Hermanus is renowned as the best destination for land-based whale watching in the world and there is no finer spot to enjoy that than on the patio of Birkenhead House. But if you're serious about whales, then why not go on a whale cruise or even take to the skies, soaring high above these majestic mammals. Learn all about the fascinating behaviour of Southern Right and Humpback whales and gain insights into their extraordinary movements that include lob tailing, spy hopping and peduncling.

Waves splash into the mussel-clad rocks that decorate the beaches immediately below Birkenhead House. Our executive chef will take guests down to Voëlklip Beach and show them how to safely pick these delicious marine treats. Not only that, but he'll show you how to prepare the mussels with a little garlic, cream and white wine so that you can savour the fruits of your labour with a lovely glass of locally produced Sauvignon Blanc.

The Hemel-en-Aarde is one of South Africa's premier, cool-climate wine producing regions and is home to some of the country's finest and oldest estates including Hamilton Russel and Bouchard Finlayson as well as some of the more modern estates such as Creation. Not only are the wines superb, but the landscape is spectacular. Enjoy a guided tour with a knowledgeable expert, or enliven the experience by doing it on horseback or even on quad bikes.

Sea kayaking is a wonderful outdoor pursuit for the more adventurous. It will get you up close to some of Hermanus's fascinating sea life and it's also great exercise. Paddle along the coastline all the way from the Old Harbour in town to the New Harbour under the careful supervision of the local seals.

Hermanus is surrounded on all sides by natural wonder. As well as the marine fascinations, there are two incredible nature reserves in close proximity - Fernkloof Nature Reserve and Walker Bay Nature Reserve. For botanists, Fernkloof is certainly one of the most rewarding destinations in the Cape Floral Kingdom to explore the diverse fynbos.

Walker Bay is a coastal nature reserve that lies just east of Hermanus. The reserve includes five coastal areas between Hermanus and Die Dam near Struisbaai. The area is also historically significant, with records of Middle Stone Age people (65 000 to 85 000 years ago) living in Klipgat Cave.

Birkenhead House is one of the best spots in South Africa to relax. The beaches and the champagne air make for a heady combination. But no relaxation would be complete without a treatment in the Spa.

Whether you'd like a Swedish massage or a manicure & pedicure, the Birkenhead House Spa is the perfect Sanctuary in which to forget the worries of the world.

Hermanus is a wonderful golfing destination with two excellent courses very close by. Hermanus Golf Club in the centre of town and Arabella golf club just a short distance away. Arabella is consistently voted among the Top 5 golf courses in South Africa. For those looking for an extended golf tour, there are many more fantastic courses along the Garden Route.

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

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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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

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.

Credit: Xigera Safari Lodge