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Xugana Island Lodge, situated on the shaded fringe of the island, accommodates just 16 guests in reed and thatch lagoon-facing en-suite chalets with private viewing decks. Xugana Island has one of the most spectacular views of the Okavango Delta as its location on the edge of the Xugana Lagoon adds value to this setting. Accommodation at Xugana Island Lodge is on a fully inclusive basis. All meals, beverages and guided activities are included in the cost of your stay. Experience the heart of the Okavango Delta on guided boat, mokoro and walking activities.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Thank you to Joel, Klo, Beven, KT, Sego, Tibiti, Taps, Wise, Anna, Itie, and others for the most wonderful time at Xugana Island Lodge.
Everyone at the camp made this trip memorable with their kindness and hospitality. They truly go above and beyond making sure you have everything you need.
The food was amazing and there was something for everyone. We really enjoyed the community of each meal.
We loved the riding on the boat and the morning walking safaris. The mokoro canoe was peaceful and a unique experience.
In our room there were two usb plugs, two type N plugs and one type M plug outlet. They supplied shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, lotion, bug spray, a hair dryer, and a flashlight.
The camp does have Wi-Fi.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Aug 1, 2022
We are so pleased to hear that you had an amazing time with us at Xugana Island Lodge. Thank you for your detailed review and praise for the wonderful team. We will be sure to pass on your praise to them. Regards, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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The setting of this lodge is absolutely beautiful and this hits you from the moment you step of the boat. The whole staff are also the most wonderful and welcoming you will meet, learning everyone’s name and greeting you with a genuine warmth. We loved the evenings by the fire pit (complete with grunting hippos in the lagoon, and elephants trumpeting through the dark) and dinner on the deck with the lanterns on the table is unforgettable. On our last evening they took our group of four to one side for an unforgettable dinner on the pontoon which was topped off with a belated birthday song and cake for me (this was a long delayed trip to celebrate a ‘big’ birthday - how they knew this I have no idea but it felt very special). Xugana is in a private concession and you really feel like you have a corner of the Delta to yourself. It’s a complete contrast to the other places we stayed and will offer you something totally unique. As this is a water based location you will see a different kind of wildlife; crocodiles, hippos, elephants bathing, all kinds of antelope and bird life. Bevan our guide was brilliant and he really paid attention to the interests of our group. On our second ‘nature’ walk he found a fresh lion track which he followed, and to our amazement we saw three lions staring at us though the long grass before they moved on - an unforgettable moment! We later came across a fresh carcass of a baby elephant as if to highlight their presence. The scenery here is stunning, the morning and evening light creating an atmosphere I will never forget. We stayed 3 nights, I was worried it might be one too many but it was perfect. If we stayed for less time we would have missed so much.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:All good but 1 and 2 get the sunrise.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Aug 1, 2022
Dear Ruby, From your review we can see that Xugana Island Lodge stole a spot in your heart! It is a magical spot and one we love to share with our guests. Your lion sighting was amazing and Bevan will be pleased to hear that you are home with unforgettable memories of your time with him and the team at Xugana Island Lodge. Best wishes, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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Gracious, knowledgeable, warm staff. Wonderful service and the food variety and quality was outstanding. The boat cruises, bird watching, walking”safaris” were a wonderful changes from the experience of wildlife seen from an all terrain vehicle. We can’t say enough about our guide Kaiser, not only was he extremely knowledgeable, if he didn’t know the answer would take the time to look it up AND he has a delightful sense of humor. Itos, pur second guide was a fabulous extra set of eyes, ears, and insights into animal behaviors, plants, etc. Finally, Chawa was so warm, she truly made us feel at home
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Sep 4, 2024
Dear Suzanne, Thank you for such a wonderful review from your stay at Xugana Island Lodge. The lodge itself is a little hidden treasure and once you arrive in camp you can only but relax and enjoy the views over the lagoon as well as refreshing boat cruise along the channels. I will be sure to share the wonderful review with all the staff. Thank you for choosing to stay with us and hope to welcome you back again. Kind regards The Desert and Delta Safaris Family
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This is a small but lovely camp & we found most of the staff very helpful & pleasant, but some - especially the dining staff seemed a bit miserable & deflated.
The camp definitely needs some attention & updating. Our bedroom floor boards were very creaky & dipped in places - especially the bathroom, the wall outside of our bathroom was severely cracked & when very windy all of the blinds were little protection from the cold, & June is cold for sure! We could not fault the bed as it was snuggly warm & very comfortably.
Our biggest gripe which was also very dangerous was the oiled decking. The first day we arrived we did the formalities, had lunch, settled into our room then off out on an excursion. When we got back us & other guests were slipping & sliding all over the place as they had oiled all the decking, including in the dining room! The smell whilst eating dinner was wholly unpleasant but the fear of slipping was a big worry as I have had both hips replaced, dislocation is a big risk factor… there was also an elderly couple that were very nervous so we were all taking baby steps.
The food was always very nice & the excursions with our guides were all brilliant, definitely some wonderful memories we will never forget, so despite the few issues we had, we probably would go back as all the positives outweighed the negatives.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:June is cold so be prepared.
The Morkoro rides can be a little difficult for people with hip...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Sep 4, 2024
Dear Ellie Thank you for your feedback on your stay with us at Xugana Island Lodge . We are pleased that you had a magical stay and created memories of a lifetime. Thank you too for your feedback and observations regarding the room you stayed in and the issue with the decks. This will certainly be looked into and remedied. Our Operations team will ensure that the team on the ground are operating to our standard operating procedures and that our guests safety is always our number one priority. This feedback will go a long way in ensuring we offer the best possible experience to our guests. Please do visit us again for another amazing adventure. Kind Regards, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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They say “Welcome home” as soon as you arrive. I mean, sure, if I was greeted with a refreshing towel (warm or cool, depending on the weather) as soon as I came home, my laundry was magically washed and folded waiting for me at the end of the day, I had all my meals, snacks, tea and cocktails prepared for me, and I wasn’t allowed to help clear the table or do dishes….
Now on to the rest, the rooms were gorgeous with an amazing view of the river. We fell asleep to the sounds of hippos and work to chatty birds which sat on the deck with us as we had coffee. Our guides Keiser and Itos were so knowledgeable and fantastic at tracking the animals. The boat and walking tours were a nice change from the bumpy game drives.
Chawa was absolutely a delight. She and her team are outstanding. Don’t miss this lodge!!
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Sep 4, 2024
Many thanks for choosing to stay with us at Xugana Island Lodge. We are so pleased that you had a very memorable experience. The team on the ground is what makes things possible and always ready to go an extra mile. This feedback will go a long way in keeping the team motivated. Please do visit us again for another amazing adventure. Kind regards, The Desert and Safaris Team.
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I have traveled a fair amount, many times to Africa and often with very expensive tour companies. I have never been so impressed nor felt so appreciated as I did at Xugana Lodge. We were greeted with a magnificent bush lunch including a chutney sauce that we insisted on having the recipe! Delicious!!! Action, Sego and Oki would not rest until our every need and desire was met. Slade (and Bevon), our guide, was not only extremely knowledgeable and well spoken but conveyed the information with an enthusiasm and passion that left me envious for such a calling! The meals were outstanding at every turn and were often presented in a surprise location or manner. Our last night included a surprise sundowner set-up with all the trimmings of a 5 star reception. The staff could not have been kinder or more welcoming, really more like family. And their singing still persist in my dreams!!! The rooms were luxurious, romantic and authentic without being decadent or excessive. The variety of activities is unrivaled anywhere else in Botswana and dispatched professionally and with a clear sense of pride. You will be missing out if you stay anywhere else in the Delta. I can honestly say this was one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life!!
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:#1 and #2 have the best views.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Aug 8, 2021
Good morning, We are delighted with your review and are proud of the team at Xugana Island Lodge for allowing you to enjoy a stay of a life time at Xugana. We are pleased that you can take home not only recipes from your stay but incredible memories of a wonderful time spent with us. We will be sure to pass on your praise to Action, Sego, Oki and the entire team. Best wishes, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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The experience that the Xugana management and staff provided our group of 9 was one of the most memorable hospitality experiences I have ever had. From the moment we landed we felt sincerely welcomed by a team that wanted nothing more than to make us feel special and welcomed. Upon arrival we had a magnificent surprise bush lunch that was delicious and so very personal followed by a very warm reception by the rest of the staff when we arrived at the camp. There are 8 cabin/rooms all beautifully appointed and comfortable... Action, Sego and Oki provided visible leadership throughout our stay and were part of the joyful singing and dancing that we experienced every day. Spade and Bevan were such knowledgeable and engaging guides sharing so many stories during our rides and around the fire. Having such an engaged team made our experience so special. The kitchen staff and chef were also a 10 out of 10! The food was delicious, plentiful and varied. Xugana offers the unique opportunity to go on a Safari drive , a Bush walk , a boat ride or a peaceful canoe ride... but the feeling from such engaged and genuine hospitality you will have when you arrive, during your stay and when you depart is one that was not matched anywhere else. Xugana is magical and will not disappoint. Thank you to the entire team for sharing your joy and making our visit one that we will remember .. and smile.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:They are all good!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Aug 17, 2021
Good Day, Thank you so much for your wonderful review on your stay at Xugana Island Lodge. The team at Xugana will be pleased to know that you had an incredible stay with them and that you returned home with wonderful memories and experiences and a big smile! We hope to welcome you back one day to our island paradise. Warm Regards, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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My favorite experience in all of Africa! I stayed between 6 different lodges and no staff made me feel more welcome than Action, Oki, and their entire team. They went above and beyond in every way possible! We traveled in a group of 9 and they made sure each person in the group was accommodated. They surprised our group on multiple occasions with singing, dancing, sunset dinners, and nature walks as well as delicious meals. If you are looking to visit Botswana, this place is a MUST. The staff and everyone involved in my experience made my trip unlike any other! Thank you Action, Oki, Slade, Bevin, and everyone else!
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Aug 8, 2021
Good Morning, We are blown away by your review on Xugana Island Lodge and are so excited to hear that your stay has topped your list of African experiences! The entire team at Xugana will be delighted to know that they have created everlasting memories for you and have succeed in exceeding your expectations! We will be sure to pass on your praise and thanks to the team. Best wishes, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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As others have mentioned 4 star accomodations, staff and service . Such a great place and we'll run camp. Food was the best we had while in Africa the last 2weeks. Gee our guide was amazing . The staff are funny, loving joyful people who have treated us so well . Our Son had a 17 th birthday and we were surprised one night with birthday cake with candles and our last night we were treated to a dinner for 3 on floating dock in the middle of the delta! Incredible experience. It pains me to share this because all other aspects of this place are great. The animal viewing was not good. While we were on 4 safaris 2 by boat and 2 walking we saw 2 crocodile , some Impala, 1 zebra, a few warthogs, hippos and an elephant. Some birds. The team here shared that big 5 spotting is not what this place is for. It's a relaxing place . The paypaprus reeds ensure that most of the boating safaris block views of most any animal by boat. Though that doesn't detour the guides from trying to locate something for the guests to view. The land safaris we went on were educational in nature and taught us how to track animals. Very good . But our expectations of seeing big game up close wasn't realized here. Love the place wish the animals did.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Jul 19, 2023
Dear Stephen, Thank you for your honest review on your experience with us at Xugana Island Lodge. We are so pleased to read that you had a memorable experience with our team and that you enjoyed your time on activities with your guide Gee. Wonderful to have been able to spoil your son for his 17th birthday and trust that it will be one for the memory books especially with a night under the African stars on the Xugana Lagoon, With regards to your feedback on your wildlife experience, we are sorry to note that your expectations did not meet with the sighting or wildlife experience that you had during your stay. Wildlife in the heart of the Okavango Delta is unpredictable and each day a different experience or sighting may be in store. The island offers you a chance to experience the Delta from a variety of experiences from walking safaris, boat excursions to the tranquil mokoro trip through shallow channels and flood plains. We appreciate your honest feedback. Best wishes, The Entire Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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My final lodge of the trip and this place really stole my heart. Due to its location (you reach it by boat) and its size (the smallest of the lodges I stayed in), it has a particularly private and cosy feeling. It felt like one big family there and my fellow travellers all agreed. I loved the water-based activities and the walking safaris were a unique and fascinating experience. To walk in the footsteps of all those magnificent creatures is very special. The waterways are enchanting, magical. Of the many wonderful experiences I had, the one that I will especially cherish was watching an elderly bull elephant in the water chomping on water lilies and eating them like spaghetti, while we bobbed on the water in our boat. Thank you to all involved.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Michelle Odumetse, Marketing at Xugana Island Lodge
Responded Aug 1, 2022
It always pleases us to know that another guest has fallen in love with the magic of Xugana Island Lodge. We are pleased to know that the variety of activities available to you during your stay were enjoyed and left you with wonderful experiences and memories. Best wishes and we hope to welcome you back soon. The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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Dear Olaf
Xugana is one of my personal favorite water-activity-only lodges in Botswana. It is such a special location! You will be traveling during peak season, so regular/nominal rack rates are US$920 per person sharing per night (pppns)- however Desert and Delta have phenomenal package rates, so depending on what else you plan on doing you can consider $920 pppns to be the most you will pay. You may also want to look at Camp Okavango, it’s located right next door and in the same portfolio – this echo friendly lodge has just been refurbished and looks amazing! Either of the two would be a great pick. If you go with Xugana, I would most definitely combine your stay at a water-activity-lodge with a land-activity lodge in the same portfolio. A land activity lodge offers Land Rover or Land Cruiser game drives. At Xugana they don’t have vehicles and offer only water based activities combined with walking. So you can mekoro, motorboat and walk on one of the nearby islands – I highly recommend all of these activities. Xugana combines very nicely with Savute Safari Lodge as well as any of their lodges in the Moremi or even Leroo La Tau, which also offers a cultural aspect if you are interested in adding some culture to your game viewing experience - all of these lodges offer land based activities (or a combination of land and water). I really can’t say enough good things about the Desert and Delta experience. Their staff are amazing, the guiding is exceptional and the game viewing locations offer you as the traveler the option of doing a circuit within Botswana at a very reasonable price over peak season.
I am not sure where you live but I recommend using a safari specialist independent agent in your home country. The most important factor is that the agent is independent and an Africa specialist. That way, you get the best price (same or less than booking “direct). Also, you have someone looking out for your interests. Your name sounds Nordic so perhaps you live in Norway or Sweden? The owner of my company has a good friend with a safari agency in Stockholm you could use. Let me know! A safari specialist agent will advise you about various options for price savings and if you are working with a reputable agent, it shouldn’t cost you more than rack (internet) rate but you have the added benefit of having someone vet on your behalf to ensure you get the best experience possible.
I hope this information helps, Marguerite Smit - safari consultant at Travel Beyond.
There are more places to choose from in the Okavango Delta area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
xugana island hotel okavango delta
LOCATION
BotswanaNorth-West DistrictOkavango Delta
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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