Camp Xakanaxa

At the edge of Botswana’s legendary Okavango Delta, Camp Xakanaxa rests beside the Khwai River and Xakanaxa Lagoon, a setting that captures the Delta at its most alive. One of the few lodges to offer year-round land and water safaris, it stands at the heart of Moremi Game Reserve, surrounded by reed-lined channels, mopane forests and the endless movement of wildlife. Mornings begin with the calls of fish eagles and evenings with the crackle of firelight over the river.

Each day reveals a different side of the Delta. Glide through the serpentine waterways by powerboat, watching elephants wade between islands and kingfishers dart across the shallows. On land, set out in open 4x4 vehicles to track lion, leopard and herds of grazing antelope. Birdwatchers are rewarded with an ever-changing chorus of resident and migratory species, while afternoons invite slow moments by the pool, in the library as well as sundowners on the river deck as hippos stir below.

With its Meru-style canvas suites, Camp Xakanaxa retains the intimacy and charm of a classic tented safari. Each suite overlooks the lagoon and includes an en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan and private veranda, while a two-bedroom family* unit offers extra space for those travelling together. The main lodge, crafted from local timber, reed and thatch, offers open-sided lounges, dining areas and two fire decks that extend over the river – a perfect spot to end the day beneath Botswana’s wide, starlit skies.

*For family travel: Children aged six and older are welcome.