Nxamaseri Island Lodge

OVERVIEW:

Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a small, well-established lodge on a private island surrounded by the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta. With its watery setting and deep channels, fishing and boating are the key activities here. The lodge also benefits from close proximity to the mystical and sacred Tsodilo Hills, the site of more than 4,000 ancient San rock paintings. Originally built in the 1980s as a fishing lodge, Nxamaseri is now operated by Desert & Delta Safaris, who have an impressive portfolio of camps and lodges across Botswana, including the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, and the Makgadikgadi Pans. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, scheduled safari activities, local drinks (including alcoholic drinks, excluding premium brands), and park entrance fees.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Nxamaseri Island Lodge is located on a permanent island in the Okavango Delta Panhandle near Botswana’s north-western border. Guests can journey by road through Namibia’s Caprivi Strip or vice versa, as the lodge is easily accessible by car. Nxamaseri also has its own private airstrip, and the flying time from Maun by light aircraft is approximately 1 hour.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT NXAMASERI ISLAND LODGE: 

Nxamaseri Island Lodge has five double/twin chalets, a honeymoon suite, two triples, and a two-bedroom family unit spread out on either side of the communal area. Shaded beneath a verdant forest canopy, the rooms are cocooned in greenery, giving them an extra layer of privacy and a feeling of seclusion. Each has a private wooden deck with views of the indigenous forest and river beyond and a simple seating arrangement where guests can relax outside and admire the setting. Through folding wooden doors, you’ll find a spacious, open-plan bedroom with canvas walls, mesh windows, and a thatch roof. There is no air conditioning, but each chalet is equipped with a standing fan, and on cooler nights, the staff place warm hot water bottles in the beds at turndown. Additional amenities include mosquito nets, a small kettle for tea and coffee, a digital safe, a flashlight, and umbrellas. Separated by a canvas partition, the spacious en-suite washrooms have walk-in showers and flush toilets. The honeymoon chalet is larger than the standard double rooms and is located farthest away from the main area in a secluded position overlooking the floodplains. There’s also a two-bedroom family chalet with a shared bathroom on the opposite side to the honeymoon suite, close to the lodge’s swimming pool.

Linked to the chalets by wooden walkways, the main area at Nxamaseri Island Lodge is an open-plan lounge, library, and exterior dining space shaded by ancient, towering jackalberry trees with gorgeous views. Private dining is also available outside on request. The interior style is cosy and welcoming, with a rustic thatch roof, wicker furniture, hardwood floors, and traditional African wax fabric bringing a splash of colour. Outside on the main deck, you’ll find the lodge’s campfire overlooking the Nxamaseri river, where guests are invited to gather for drinks before and after dinner. The swimming pool is located on an isolated deck, and its proximity to the family tent makes it ideal for keeping the kids occupied between safari activities (supervised, of course). Please note that while there is limited Wi-Fi, this is via remote satellite link up and reliable connectivity is not guaranteed. There is no mobile phone network, so guests should be prepared to disconnect!

ACTIVITIES AT NXAMASERI ISLAND LODGE:

Due to its location, the activities at Nxamaseri Island Lodge are primarily water-based and include boat trips, mokoro excursions, fishing, and birding.

• Fishing 

  – Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a prime destination for lure fishing from March to December, with expert guidance to ensure you have the best possible experience. Excursions to fish for tiger fish and bream are seasonal, so please speak to the YZ team for further details. Basic spinning equipment is available at the lodge, but guests interested in fly fishing will need to bring their own.

• Motorized boat safaris

  – Glide along the deep water channels and lagoons of the Okavango Delta on a hard-bottom aluminium boat equipped with comfortable seats and a foldaway canvas roof. Your expert guide will point out any exciting wildlife sightings along the way.

• Mokoro excursions

  – A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe steered from the front by an experienced poler who navigates the shallow waterways of the Okavango Delta. As this form of transport has no motor, it allows close encounters with wildlife, and you’ll likely spot brightly-colored birds, butterflies, and reed frogs as well as beady-eyed hippo and perhaps the odd croc!

• Guided island walks

  – Bush walks allow you to connect with nature and observe the small details that aren’t visible from the confines of a vehicle. Your guide will point out any interesting tracks and spoor, giving insight into recent passing wildlife. The prolific birdlife includes skimmers, egrets, kingfishers, herons, fish eagles, darts, and bee-eaters.

• San cultural trips

  – Located in the panhandle of the Okavango Delta, the lodge is well positioned for day trips to Tsodilo Hills, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Tsodilo Hills is adorned with thousands of rock art paintings and is sacred to northern Botswana’s San people. This experience is available to those staying more than one night at Nxamaseri Island Lodge.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.