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XUGANA
ISLAND LODGE
OKAVANGO DELTA
LODGE
The remote
Xugana Island Lodge is situated on the edge of the spectacular Xugana
Lagoon, in the Okavango Delta, assuring an all year-round water
wilderness experience. Xugana Island Lodge is situated on a private
concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta with magnificent views.
8 elevated reed and thatch chalets, with en-suite facilities and
private viewing decks situated on the shaded fringe of the island
accommodate just 16 guests.
Due to the remote location of Xugana, only children over 12 years are accepted. No children under the age of 16 are allowed to take part in walking or mokoro activities.
Getting there
Xugana Island Lodge has its own private airfield which is located a
mere ten minute boat ride from the main lodge area on a neighboring
Island. Alternatively Xugana Island Lodge can be reached by means of a
scheduled boat transfer system linking Camp
Moremi and Camp Okavango.
Facilities
·
An open boma
and al fresco dining area overlooks the Xugana Lagoon
·
The lounge,
bar and dining areas are set back under the Ebony and African
Mangosteen tree canopy in open sided thatched structures
·
The swimming
pool, located within the mature gardens in the center of the island,
is a perfect place to relax
·
Laundry
service
·
Generator
power (AC 220V) is available during the day and evening. Camera
batteries can be re-charged. 12-volt DC lighting is available at night
once generator is switched off
GAME
VIEWING/ACTIVITIES
Daily
activities exploring the serpentine waterways, expansive floodplains
and wild island networks keep the visitor to Xugana enthralled and
entertained. Welcome to the true Okavango!
- Mokoro (pl. Mekoro) + walking
Exploring
the Delta by traditional dug-out canoe (mokoro), combined with walking
on surrounding islands in the concession, gives guests the chance to
experience a classic Okavango Delta safari. Bird-watching
opportunities are outstanding as you silently drift along the Okavango
Delta.
- Fishing
Fishing for bream and tiger fish is sure to captivate fishing enthusiasts.
- Boat excursions + walking
Experiencing
the sunset across the Xugana lagoon from a motorboat adrift the lagoon
will leave memories which will be etched in your mind forever.
Combined boat excursions and walking on surrounding islands in the
concession are perfect ways of truly being a part of the Okavango
Delta.
- Birding
The summer
season in Botswana welcomes a large variety of migrant birds from the
northern hemisphere which use Botswana, and more specifically the
Okavango Delta, as preferred areas for breeding and feeding. The first
migrants arrive from the Northern Hemisphere during September. By
December all the migrants will have arrived which means there are 20%
more birds in Botswana during the summer months compared to the winter
months. The period from December to March is very active and the
colours, more specifically the birds in breeding plumage, are
spectacular. The Okavango Delta is a birders paradise which entertains
both the experienced ornithologist as well as the eager amateur.
Another highlight is the heronry at Gadikwe Lagoon, which provides
nesting sites for hundreds of birds. The Gadikwe lagoon is situated
between Camp Moremi and Camp
Okavango and/or Xugana Island
lodge, and is a highlight to visit as part of the boat
transfer between the lodges. Due to the heronry being shared by a
variety of species it is active from July to March and is at its
busiest from September to December when breeding colonies of herons
are joined in the shallows, and among the low trees and swamp-fig
thickets, by marabou, yellow and saddle-billed storks, sacred ibis and
egrets. Flapping, noisy and colourful breeding displays can be enjoyed
at close quarters.
CLIMATE
The winter
months of May to August can be very cold at night, but pleasantly
warm, under clear blue skies, during the day.
From
October until the first rains fall from late November to early
December, the weather can be tremendously hot, during both day and
night times.
THE
OKAVANGO DELTA
The permanent Okavango Delta forms a unique ecosystem which is
fascinating and rewarding to visit for the avid safari-traveller. This
area, with its combination of permanent water courses, massive
floodplains and network of intriguing island networks is a safe haven
to many animal and bird species. Probably the most precious wetland in
the world, the Okavango is a river delta that feeds into dry land
instead of the sea. It is the only one of its kind. The Okavango Delta
is a unique oasis at the northern edge of the sands of the Kalahari
Desert. Flood rain waters from the Angolan highlands are carried by
the Okavango River into the delta where it spreads out creating
countless waterways and lagoons over an area of approximately 10,000
square kilometers. Papyrus and Phoenix palms flourish here on the edge
of the desert, and the waters provide an ecosystem for Fish Eagles and
Kingfishers, Hippopotami, Crocodiles and Tigerfish.
AFRICA MEMORIES TIP:
Gliding
along the waterways of the Okavango, by boat or mokoro, presents
itself with amazing photographic opportunities, from insects dancing
on the water to fish eagle swooping down to the water to catch fish.
Enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility of the delta – you can’t
help but relax here.
Okavango
memories (Photographs by Natalie Knibbs©)
Contact:
Africa
Memories Travel cc.
Natalie Knibbs,
Tel: +27 -31 7632427;
Fax: +27 -31 7631034;
email info@botswanaholiday.co.uk;
Cluster Box 5034, Augusta Country Estate,
Hillcrest,
3650,
Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
© Copyright 2005 botswanaholiday.co.uk . All Rights Reserved.