Lodge Feature: Xugana Island Lodge

Xugana Island Lodge, located in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, is one of Africa Easy's favorite spots and has recently been rebuilt and completely updated. The lodge is situated on the shaded fringe of the island, and accommodates just 16 guests in reed and thatch lagoon-facing en-suite chalets with private viewing decks. As a water camp, the traveler's experience requires additional love and attention from the staff. There is a very special team of Batswana working at Xugana – who love their newly rebuilt camp – and are excited to welcome and extend their hospitality to each and every guest.

The rooms and the main structures have all been completely re-thatched and there is a new coat of paint and new Letaka walls where needed. Each room has been fitted with new sliding doors. The décor is fresh and features a “retro –Africa” feel and fits perfectly into Xugana. The greatest feature is the brand new and most expansive decking, both in front of the lodge as well as at each room.  The open-sided thatched lounge, bar and dining areas are set back under the ebony and African Mangosteen tree canopy. The swimming pool, located within the mature gardens in the centre of the island, is a perfect place to relax.  


At Xugana Island Lodge, travelers can either explore the delta by motorboat, mokoro, or take leisurely walks on surrounding islands in the concession. This provides the opportunity to experience a classic Okavango Delta safari. Birdwatching opportunities are outstanding, and fishing for bream and tigerfish is offered.


Our Best of Botswana Tour features the newly updated Xugana Island Lodge - come explore this Delta favorite with Africa Easy!

What is a "water camp?"

Botswana offers one of the most diverse safari experiences in Southern Africa - motorized boat trips, walking safaris, game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, mokoro canoe safaris. There is something for everyone! Africa Easy highly recommends a combination of "land" and "water" camps while in Botswana. What are these "land" and "water" camps? What type of experience and activities do these camps offer? Today, let's talk a bit about "water" camps.


A water camp is located deep in Botswana's Okavango Delta (the world's largest inland delta) and is seasonally, and sometimes year-round, surrounded by lagoons, networks of waterways and rivers. Water camps are usually built on stilts and have bridges connecting the tents or rooms with the shared public areas. Often guests can sit on a private verandah outside of their room and enjoy views overlooking the water.

Activities at water camps are a bit different than at "land" camps. Thanks to the flow of shallow waterways, mokoros are an ideal way to explore the Delta from water camps. Mokoros are traditional-style dug out canoes that are taken out in shallow water, allowing travelers to see the smaller things in Africa - birds, frogs and plant life. The goal of a mokoro ride is to enjoy the silence of skimming through the water without a motor, rather than viewing big game. Motor boat cruises are also available at water camps; this outing does often provide an opportunity to spot game. Finally, when on a small island in the Delta as many water camps are, walking is a unique experience and a great way to learn more about wildlife tracks, birds and bugs. The smaller things are just as interesting as the bigger ones!



Birding and game viewing at water camps is excellent. Pell's fishing owl are common near water areas; lechwe and sitatunga are antelope species that have adapted to the water; elephants often gather near waterways during drier months.


Some of our favorite water camps are Jacana Camp, Little Vumbura Camp, Jao Camp, Camp Okavango and Xugana Island Lodge. Ask Africa Easy to design a custom itinerary to include these camps or book our Best of Botswana Safari. 


Photos by Africa Easy and Desert & Delta.