Safari Guru

Xigera Safari Lodge

Meticulously designed to frame the breathtaking floodplains and riverine forests, Xigera Safari Lodge is in complete synergy with its surroundings. Spacious suites clad in flame-torched timber look out onto lily-filled lagoons, providing a front-row seat to the theatre of the African bush. The interiors are filled with exceptional one-off works of art and design created by Africa’s most globally recognised names, in collaboration with award-winning gallery Southern Guild, from gleaming hand-forged copper and steel consoles by Conrad Hicks, to Adam Birch’s tactile creations carved right on-site.

Launching in December 2020 in Botswana’s most unspoilt wilderness, Xigera (“Kee-jera”) is, quite simply, a pioneer. This extraordinary new safari lodge, located in the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta, is a bold new statement, reinventing what it means to experience the African bush. Inspired by a deep love of the Delta and its wildlife, Xigera offers its visitors a remarkable opportunity to explore the richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site – at their own pace, in their own time, however they wish.

Xigera is a water- and land-based lodge offering guests the opportunity to experience both aspects of the Okavango Delta. During the annual flood, guests can boat across floodplains and along channels to reach islands where there are regular sightings of buffalo, elephants, zebras, giraffes, lechwe and sitatunga as well as numerous other Delta species. Hippos can be spotted on mekoro and boating excursions, along with an abundance of birds.

Each of Xigera’s twelve guest suites takes full advantage of the unique location, wrapped by the boughs of indigenous forests and gazing out over seasonal floodplains and the visiting wildlife. Spread across two islands to retain the aura of wilderness, and ensure privacy and peacefulness for guests, each suite sits on raised stilts, allowing both wildlife and the life-giving waters of the Okavango to pass beneath.

Revel in a perfect medley of materials, textures and colours. Within each suite, design exists cohesively in a jewel-like layering of materials and texture, including timber, bronze and hand-carved wood.

Individually, each suite is remarkable. As a whole, Xigera is a living gallery of African art and design, a unique celebration of the continent’s creativity, honouring indigenous traditions while seeking out bold new interpretations.

Xigera's luxurious air-conditioned suites can accommodate two adults sharing, or one adult sharing with one child, while the Xigera Family Suite can accommodate two adults sharing with two adults, or two adults sharing with two children.

The 11 standard suites include a separate lounge, bedroom, dressing area, full bathroom and outdoor shower and feature, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning, as well as a private deck with a gazebo offering uninterrupted floodplain views.

The Xigera Family Suite consists of two complete full bedrooms each with their own full bathroom, dressing area and outdoor shower and all the offerings found in a normal suite, joined by an interleading lounge area that opens up onto a deck with a gazebo.

Xigera Safari Lodge Okavango Delta View from Balcony Deck

Xigera Safari Lodge Guest Suite Interiors

Xigera Safari Lodge Botswana Guest Room Interiors

Why Xigera Safari Lodge?

Xigera is located in the Moremi Game Reserve with private access to a 4,500-hectare (11,120-acre) wetland paradise in the heart of the Delta. Situated on one of the Okavango’s key waterways, Xigera Safari Lodge is surrounded by picturesque papyrus swamps and wooded islands and is renowned for its very high density of sitatunga antelope. The area is known for remarkable mammal sightings including red lechwe, spotted-necked otter, elephant, buffalo, reedbuck and tsessebe. Predators include lions, spotted hyenas and leopards.

Guests are sometimes treated to close-up views of lions or leopards using the footbridge connecting Xigera to the next island! This concession lies in an International Birding Area (IBA) with many ‘Okavango specials’ being present, including Pel’s Fishing-Owl, African Skimmer, Brown Firefinch, Greater Swamp Warbler, Wattled Crane, African Pygmy Goose and Lesser Jacana.

Contact Safari Guru for Xigera Safari Lodge rates and availability, and information on combining this uber-luxury safari property with other lodges in the area, or even outside of Botswana, such as Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe.

Xigera Safari Lodge

Property Details

Xigera Safari Lodge Location

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Luxury Accommodation

11 Luxury Suites, Including 1 Family Suite

Guest Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Safe, Sala, Shower, Tea / Coffee

Xigera Safari Lodge Facilities

Bar, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Spa

Family Policy

Children aged 6 and over are welcome at Xigera Safari Lodge and the full adult rate is charged. Children aged between 6 and 16 years must share a suite with one adult. Children partaking in boating or mekoro excursions must wear life vests at all times. For safety reasons, children under 13 may not participate in walking or mekoro excursions. Guests travelling with children aged between 6 and 12 will require to book a Private Vehicle for the duration of their stay.

Activities

Bird Watching, Catch-and-release Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Massages, Mokoro Excursion

Available Services

Credit Card, Spa, Room Service (Butler)

Included

Internet Access, Laundry Service, All Meals, Most Drinks

Not Included

Gratuities, Cultural Tours, Treatments, Curio Purchases, Premium Brand Alcohol

Why Xigera Safari Lodge?

This groundbreaking project is the first purpose-built safari lodge developed by The Red Carnation Collection, the pinnacle of a life’s work creating extraordinary hospitality experiences.

Family Safari Specialists

If you’re dreaming of Africa, your journey has already begun!

Truly unique experience. Many thanks to Allan and his team for planning such a wonderful safari at Kruger National Park. Highly recommend!

Mikaël Schinazi

2023-01-09

This was our 4th trip to Africa and by far the best ever. All the details were properly handled; we had not flight problems or delays and the service provided by Safari Guru was outstanding. I would recommend them, and have to friends and family. We will be going back to Africa with the outstanding Staff of Safari Guru.

Ann Becher Smead

2022-11-17

We recently returned from Kenya, had a fabulous safari designed by Deon de Villiers of Safari Guru. We had some wonderful sightings and the whole thing went without a single hiccup. The guides were excellent. Deon was so helpful in allowing us to reschedule several times due to COVID restrictions preventing travel. We visited Sirikoi in the Lewa Conservancy and Serian Ngare, Serian Nkorombo and Mara Plains at Masai Mara, each place offering a different experience, each special in its own way. Loved the rhinocerous at Lewa, giraffe giving birth at Ngare, hippopotamus at Nkorombo and cats at Mara Plains, and so so much more. We highly recommend Deon and the Safari Guru team.

John M

2022-10-16

We finally got to take our Kenya/Rwanda adventure with Safari Guru post pandemic. Our trip was a fantastic experience that immersed us in Africa. The holiday went as planned, everything was organised so we were gently steered from place to place, which we enjoyed as we found we weren't "travel fit" after sitting on sidelines for two years! Our lodges in Kenya were beautiful, nice and small, felt like you were part of a family, rather than a customer! Rwanda was a highlight, an amazing country with a shocking past that is moving forward beautifully. The advice from Deon to do two gorilla walks was perfect. Our first day we hiked in to mountain and when we got there the heavens opened and it didn't stop! The scouts found 6 gorillas for us to glimpse as they were hiding from rain too! We trekked down in the mud, rivers of water ending up bedraggled! It was a great experience but the next day was perfect! Beautiful blue skies, trekked up and gorillas were everywhere, sunning themselves and eating vigorously. Was awesome being so close and they couldn't care less! Would highly recommend safari Guru, they planned us a perfect holiday and are easy to contact with queries and answer promptly. Travelling on our own was great as each place we stayed, there were like travellers from around the world to socialise with. Thanks Deon and Ashley

Jackie Helliwell

I was completely blown away with the service I received from Safari Guru. We had a most marvellous holiday in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Everything went extremely well and the Wilderness team were excellent in looking after us at each of their safari camps. Well done to Deon and Ashley, Morag Cotsell

Morag Cotsell

2022-10-15

Had an amazing experience working with Deon and Safari Guru. My wife and I went into this trip thinking of it as a once in a lifetime experience. Because of our experience we have another trip in mind to bring our children so they can have the same amazing experience that we had. Thank you Deon! We look forward to seeing you again!

John A. Mertz

2022-07-27

Thanks you Deon for amazing and wonderful experience of Masai Mara. It's once in a lifetime and on top great hospitality from Safariguru right from arrival, Resort stay and well designed itinerary. I would love to bring my family again this time for Botswana, so look forward to crafted trip next

Manish Shah

Safari Guru organized us an amazing journey in Namibia for our wedding anniversary; it will be long lasting and marvelous memories for years! We also greatly appreciated the dedication and support of Safari Guru's team during these challenging times of the Covid pandemic as they had to re-arrange 2 times our trip initially planned for 2020. Thanks and kudos to Deon and all at Safari Guru!

JF Redon

2022-04-19

We had a truly magical safari in Botswana. Deon and the staff of Safari Guru will guide you to the exact places you want to go specific to your desires and budget. Highly recommend!

barbara nelson

2022-03-23

Botswana! What an incredible destination as we begin to travel again. This is a trip of a lifetime. The game drives were exhilarating, the people are friendly, the food fantastic, and the accommodations are meant to spoil you. Our trip was beautifully planned and executed by Deon De Villiers and his team at Safari Guru. They have been to every camp they recommend and tailor your safari experience to you. What else could you ask for! We will travel with them again and highly recommend Safari Guru to plan your next trip!