Botswana Safari Accommodation | Xigera Camp

Xigera Camp

Xigera Camp (pronounced Keejera) is situated in the heart of the Okavango on Paradise Island, within the Moremi Game Reserve. Xigera is a superb, luxury tented camp, located in an area that is surrounded by permanent water. The new Xigera opened in May 2000 and consists of eight new luxuriously furnished walk-in tented rooms, with en-suite facilities, built within a shady forest.

Each room is raised off the ground offering superb views of the floodplain to the east of camp and its attractive waterhole. Each guest's room has a great view directly onto this floodplain. The dining and pub area is under thatch overlooking the river that flows past the front of camp. Activities focus mainly on mokoro rides through the quiet waterways, as well as short walking safaris. Many guests are lucky enough to get good views of the elusive Sitatunga antelope.

Game drives are also offered if water levels are low enough, as are boat trips on the river, if water levels are high enough. Game drives are best here in our summer months. Birding in the area is excellent, with Pels Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane amongst the many species of birds regularly sighted. Xigera has exclusive rights to this area, providing a tranquil and private setting for its guests.

It also has a unique feature: the footbridge in front of camp is the only way predators can cross from island to island without having to swim. A "long-jump pit" has been built with soft sand, which each animal is forced to walk over when they use the bridge. Every evening the sand is raked smooth. Each morning guests are able to read the "newspaper" and see what animals have walked through camp. Almost every night Lion, Hyena and Leopard stroll through camp!

XIGERA FACT SHEET

LOCATION

Okavango Delta, central west area
Within Moremi Game Reserve
Private area, no other camps in the area

PRICING
January - end June - shoulder rates
July - end October - highest prices
November - end December - shoulder rates

ACCOMMODATION

Number of tents:
8 tents in total consisting of:

Tent details:

Tented Safari Camp raised off the ground on wooden walkways.
Each tent has a great view
En-suite bathrooms in the tent
Tent entrance is a door
Fans
Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room
Outside showers

CAMP DESCRIPTION

Situated on large island
Entrance is by footbridge over river
Permanently flowing river in front of camp
'Tropical' and 'jungle' feel
Dining room & pub under thatch
Outdoor pub/campfire area
Curio shop
Plunge pool
Tents are connected to the main communal areas by wooden walkways

GAME VIEWING
Lechwe, Sitatunga, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion, Tsessebe, Warthog, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Leopard, Elephant, Impala, Kudu, Bushbuck and Crocodile.

ACTIVITIES
Type - Summer 40% Game drives, 60% Water activities
Winter 20% Game drives, 80% Water activities (activities very much dependant on flood levels, in years of low flood, activities tend more towards game drives, mainly water based activities will be offered through the flood season.)
Good multi-activity camp.

Game Drives:

No night drives, until park rules change
Game drives via 2x 10 seater open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.

Walking Safaris

Water Activities:

Water game viewing via mekoros and by foot (8 mekoros)
Power boating seasonally available depending on water levels.(1x 8 seater boat)

ELECTRICITY & WATER

Camp has 220v generator which runs when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off (for peace in camp).
220v invertor power is used for lighting and fans in each guest tent 24hrs/day.
Video battery can be charged 24hrs a day.
Electrically heated water

DRINKS POLICY
All local drinks beers, wines and mineral water are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of premium wines & champagne, and premium liqueurs & spirits.

LAUNDRY POLICY
Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.

EXTRAS PAYMENT
Curios and or imported drinks will be billed to the guest and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard. If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

FLYING TIMES
to/from Maun 30 minutes
to/from Kasane 1hr 20 minutes
Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes but allow additional time for customs and immigration

AIR STRIP DETAILS
Xigera airstrip located 10 minutes' drive from camp
Licensed for aircraft up to a maximum weight of 5700kg MAUW (maximum all up weight), so King Airs can land here
Air strip co-ordinates: S19.23.16, E22.44.51

THE OWNERS
Hennie and Angela Rawlinson are a well~respected couple from Maun, with incredible experience in the Okavango Delta. Hennie built the original Xigera way back in 1986. Prior to his Xigera days, he was one of the region's best camping safari guides.

Hennie is a commercial pilot and runs a charter operation in Maun. Angela met Hennie while he was managing Xigera in the 1980s and the area has a very special place in their hearts. When the lease at Xigera came up for tender in 1998, they focused all their attention on winning the lease.

Hennie and Angela reckon that it was their passion for the area which showed in their writing and won them the tender. They now have this prime site within the Moremi Game Reserve for the next 15 years and they have a built a superb camp which is an absolute winner.