Xugana Island Lodge

Where the Okavango Delta opens into one of its permanent lagoons, Xugana Island Lodge rests among papyrus reeds and ancient trees. Water is never far from view, stretching beyond the pool, bar, dining decks and shaded daybeds beneath towering mahoganies. Fed by rivers that travel a thousand kilometres from the Angolan highlands before disappearing into the Kalahari sands, the lagoon keeps this area of Botswana alive and everchanging.

Because Xugana sits in a permanent-water area, you can explore by land and water throughout the year. Slip out onto the lagoon by motorboat, following channels cut through papyrus as elephants, hippos and extraordinary birdlife appear along the banks. Then swap speed for a mokoro and move closer to water level, where lilies drift past and reed frogs cling to the stems. On foot, your guide leads you onto the islands to track lechwe, sitatunga and other wildlife, while anglers can try their hand at catch-and-release fishing. For a completely different perspective, scenic helicopter flights can be arranged additionally, revealing the Delta’s maze of waterways and islands from above.

Your lagoon-facing tent keeps that connection going long after you return. Set along the island’s edge and screened by foliage, it combines Delta-inspired blues, woven textures and natural materials with an enclosed viewing deck overlooking the water. Step outside for an open-air shower, settle onto the deck with binoculars or retreat indoors while the lagoon stays firmly in sight. Interleading options make it easy for families* and friends to stay close, and when evening comes, the overwater fire deck draws you back outside for drinks, stories and stars above the lagoon.

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