Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana 2023

Botswana is not only regarded as one of the most exclusive safari destinations in Africa, but one of the most remarkable wilderness areas on earth.

Top 10 luxury safari lodges in Botswana

Beyond being one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, Botswana offers tourists, travelers, and wildlife enthusiasts the very best combination of romance, adventure, luxury, and exclusivity. Paired with phenomenal game viewing, vast unspoiled landscapes, expansive lush green surroundings, wide-open plains domed by starlit skies and teeming with wildlife, sunsets that will leave you swooning, an endless array of exceptional destinations and attractions to explore, and several unforgettable experiences and adventures you won’t find anywhere else than right here in the glorious African safari destination that is Botswana – It isn’t hard to understand the allure of this highly sought-after African safari destination. And let’s not forget the sheer unapologetic beauty of the African bushveld.

Deemed Southern Africa’s most premier wildlife and safari destination, Botswana beckons travellers from all around the world eager to witness and experience her wild, untamed, and unapologetic beauty, extraordinary wildlife, and remarkable diversity first hand. With more privacy and once-in-a-lifetime experiences than anywhere else on earth, we have no doubt that you will fall head-over-heels in love with this magical African safari gem.

PREMIUM LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN BOTSWANA

Top 10 luxury safari lodges in Botswana

Boasting ultra-luxurious accommodation, lavish facilities, and superb safari experiences – Botswana is any avid traveler’s dream come true. Accommodation in Botswana is set within the heart of the wilderness and positioned to provide true away-from-it-all indulgence. With panoramic views of its pristine wildlife and stunning savannah, the only ‘interruptions’ you’ll encounter are wandering elephants, curious giraffe or, if you’re lucky, a lion basking in the midday sun.

When it comes to its spectacular array of exclusive and luxury accommodation options, Botswana offers guests a pristine level of privacy that is simply unparalleled and impossible to find in any other African safari destination.

To ensure you experience the very best of what Botswana has to offer, here are some of the top 10 luxury safari lodges in Botswana that should undoubtedly be on your short-list when travelling to this incredible African wilderness destination.

#2 Xigera Luxury Lodge

Xigera Luxury Lodge is a premium 5-star safari lodge located in the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, in the unspoiled Okavango Delta region of Botswana. The lodge is situated on a private island within the Delta and offers guests the ultimate African wilderness escape along with a truly exclusive and immersive safari experience that promises to exceed all your expectations.

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge

Photo credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

Xigera features 12 uniquely designed, spacious, and lavish suites, with each suite boasting ultra-luxurious features and amenities such as a private deck, indoor and outdoor shower, personal plunge pool, and absolutely everything you could possibly need to enjoy an unforgettable stay. All of Xigera’s luxury suites are positioned / elevated above the magnificent Delta, allowing for absolutely spectacular views of the Okavango Delta itself as well as the stunning surrounding wilderness and wildlife roaming the area – It is down-right breath-taking. The suites are built with sustainable materials and designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings and landscapes.

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge

Photo credit: Xigera Safari Lodge

In addition to pristine luxury suites with extraordinary panoramic views, guests at Xigera can look forward to enjoying a vast range of exciting bucket-list worthy safari activities, experiences, and adventures, including exhilarating game drives in open 4 x 4 safari vehicles, thrilling bush walks led by highly experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate guides, as well as authentic mokoro (traditional dugout canoe)  safari excursions which gives you the incredible opportunity to explore and experience the amazing Botswana and Delta wilderness in a whole new way and spot an array of wildlife you wouldn’t otherwise have seen or encountered on a traditional land-based game drive.

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana

As the lodge is home to a vast diversity of wildlife, including the iconic African Big5 – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes – guests can look forward to sensational up-close wildlife sightings and encounters. Avid bird-lovers will also be more than thrilled by the abundance of bird species that call this top luxury safari lodge home.

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge

Beyond Xigera’s exciting variety of safari experiences and activities, the 5-star lodge offers guests an incredible range of amenities to make their stay as pleasant, comfortable, and memorable as possible. From a refreshing swimming pool, library, fitness centre, and a restaurant and bar, serving a variety of gourmet dishes and beverages, to a lavish spa where guests have the opportunity to completely unwind and relax by indulging in a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatment options, all designed to not only pamper and revive, but to help guests connect with nature and the glorious African bushveld as well as promote an overall sense of wellness.

That’s not all! Xigera also offers a range of remarkable and unique experiences, such as stargazing, bush dinners, and cultural village visits. Guests can also participate in conservation activities and learn about the lodge’s efforts to protect the environment. There truly is something for everyone to experience and enjoy at Xigera!

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana - Xigera Safari Lodge

Overall, Xigera Luxury Lodge is an exceptional safari destination, offering guests a rare blend of luxury and wilderness immersion in one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations

Top reasons to visit / stay at Xigera luxury lodge in Botswana:

While there are countless reasons why guests should visit Xigera Luxury Lodge in Botswana, here are merely a few:

  • Stunning natural surroundings: The lodge is located in the heart of the Okavango Delta, one of the most beautiful and diverse wilderness areas in Africa.
  • Luxury accommodations: The lodge offers spacious and beautifully designed suites that provide a luxurious and comfortable base for exploring the delta.
  • Unique safari experiences: Xigera offers a range of safari activities and experiences that allow guests to get up close and personal with the wildlife and natural beauty of the delta.
  • Commitment to sustainability: The lodge is committed to sustainable tourism and works to protect the environment and support the local community.

Top 10 Luxury Safari Lodges in Botswana

It’s safe to say Xigera Luxury Lodge is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a luxurious and unforgettable safari experience in the heart of the African wilderness.

#4 Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is an intimate, exclusive, and rustic tented camp with a contemporary safari elegance situated in Botswana’s vast and virtually untouched freshwater wetland of Okavango Delta. Deemed one of the world’s premier wilderness areas and largest inland deltas, the Okavango Delta covers between 6 and 15 000 square kilometres of Kalahari Desert in northern Botswana and owes its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River, which gives rise to the Delta’s vast and dynamic ecosystem.

Ideally positioned to explore the magnificence of the Okavango Delta, Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is set within a 25,000-hectare (61,775-acre) private wildlife concession on the edge of the Delta, bordering the renowned Moremi Game Reserve; offering exclusive entry into one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

The small size of Nxabega ensures a luxury safari experience that is both exclusive and peaceful.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp & Okavango Delta Wildlife

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

There are few wild destinations on Earth that offer the same unique combination of spectacular wildlife, beautiful scenery, palm-fringed waterways, remote islands, and vast unspoilt wilderness than Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Deemed one of the world’s premier wilderness areas and largest inland deltas, the Okavango Delta is home to an abundant and remarkable diversity of wildlife and birdlife. As the Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is situated near the channels of the Delta, guests can look forward to excellent game viewing opportunities and unique and thrilling wilderness experiences and adventures.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Unlike most river deltas the Okavango River empties onto open land, flooding the savanna and creating a unique and ever-changing inland delta. The Okavango Delta is affected by seasonal flooding, with the delta floods covering over 6,175 square miles/ 16,000 square kilometers every year. The Delta’s peak flood season takes place during May – October (with water levels being at its highest during June – August).

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

The Delta’s peak flood season coincides with Botswana’s dry season, which in turn coincides with great migrations of plains game from the dry hinterland. During the Okavango Delta’s dry season, around 260,000 mammals are estimated to congregate around the delta, resulting in pristine wildlife sightings and encounters.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

The Okavango Delta is known as a world-famous stronghold for predators, including lion prides, cheetah, and leopard, as well as one of the best places to see the African Big 5, elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, and several rare wildlife species. The Okavango Delta is also where you’ll find one of the richest pack densities of the endangered African wild dog.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

When exploring the Okavango Delta keep an eye out for its semi-aquatic antelopes, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope, as well as roan and sable antelope frequently spotted in the open woodlands of the Delta.

A myriad of species, including zebras, giraffes, blue wildebeest, brown and spotted hyena, warthogs, baboons, to mention merely a few, can frequently be sighted on the Okavango Delta floodplains. Be sure to venture to the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, and marvel at breeding herds of elephant splashing gently through shallow channels – it truly is a bucket-list worthy sighting and safari experience.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

The Okavango Delta is also home to several nocturnal wildlife species, including the rarely spotted serval and pangolin, which can be spotted on a night drive. Also keep an eye out for families of hippos that come out of the water at night to graze.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

In addition to its vast diversity of wildlife, the Okavango Delta is a renowned birding destination, boasting over 500 bird species, including several sought-after species such as the Pel’s Fishing Owl (the world’s only fish-eating owl), bee-eaters and kingfishers.

What to do at Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Activities & Experiences

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp boasts a range of unique and exciting experiences that can be added to your journey.

Safari Game Drives in the Delta

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Explore the thrilling wildlife diversity of this large private concession on exclusive morning and afternoon game drives that continue after sunset. Game drives in the Okavango Delta are remote and secluded, with very few safari vehicles sharing the private concession. &BEYOND’s Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp’s professionally trained safari guides tailor game drives to each guest’s preferences, promising up-close views of unique wildlife, birdlife, and flourishing vegetation.

In this untamed landscape, sensitive off-road driving practices allow you to get up close to the area’s exceptional wildlife, for an authentic safari experience unlike any other. Each game drive is an adventure, balancing along narrow wooden bridges and splashing through shallow crossings in a rugged open safari vehicle.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp also offers exciting night drives where you’ll have the opportunity to witness some of the Delta’s incredible nocturnal wildlife species such as the rarely spotted serval and pangolin

Mokoro Boat Safaris

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Undoubtedly one of the top things to do, and certainly one of the most thrilling too, when visiting Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is go on a traditional mokoro boat safari. Glide through a maze of clear channels, waterways, and opaque lagoons on traditionally made mokoro boats, once carved out of ancient Delta trees, but now made from environmentally friendly fibreglass.

Going on an authentic mokoro boat safari gives you the opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta like you never have before, all while sitting mere centimetres above the water as you silently pass by unsuspecting wildlife. At the heart of the Delta lies a secluded network of waterways and islands where life slows down even further. Encounter grazing herds of elephant and red lechwe on palm islands, while crocodiles and hippos wade nearby under the watchful eye of the elegant African fish eagle.

Not only is going on a mokoro boat safari in the Okavango Delta one of the most unique, not-to-be-missed bucket-list worthy experiences, but the ultimate way to discover the Delta’s hidden gems, secret spots, and rare sightings you’d miss on a traditional game drive.

Guided Walking Safari

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Going on a guided walking safari through some of Africa’s best game viewing territory is perfect for all nature and wildlife enthusiasts eager to experience something slightly more adventurous and adrenalin-inducing. With a fresh and thrilling view-from-the-ground, you get to discover a multitude of natural wonders, tread in the tracks of the Delta’s diverse wildlife, experience exceptional (and often hair-raising) wildlife and remarkable birdlife sightings, explore off-the-beaten-track hidden gems, and fully immerse yourself in the Delta wilderness, all in the company of your highly experienced walking safari guide.

Going on a guided walking safari in the Okavango Delta also gives you the opportunity to learn about and discover the complexities of tracking; observe exactly how your guide interprets the signs and sounds of the bush; smell and taste the wild herbs of the Delta as your guide explains their traditional uses; and explore the many small miracles of the bush you’ll typically not see – from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle. A Delta walking safari truly is a dynamic bucket-list experience and adventure guaranteed to captivate and engage all your senses.

Boating in the Delta

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Explore the tranquil waterways and intricate network of winding channels and glassy lagoons of the Okavango Delta onboard a sleek, motorised boat. Covering great distances, you’ll be able to discover everything the Delta has to offer from an entirely different vantage point.

Besides magnificent views of the watery landscape, the unique perspective from the boat offers great sightings of water birds, such as ponderous herons, colourful bee-eaters, solemn owls, and jewelled kingfishers. Keep a look out for tiny reed frogs clinging to stilt-like grass, creating colourful dots along the water’s surface, as well as several of the Delta’s wildlife species that are harder to spot on a traditional game drive. Going on an exhilarating boat cruise is by far the best way to discover the watery heart of the Okavango Delta’s vast and majestic landscapes.

Scenic Helicopter Flight

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Take to the Okavango Delta skies by enjoying an exhilarating scenic helicopter flight when visiting Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp. The Delta is one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena, featuring a series of both permanent and fleeting waterways and floodplains created when the waters of the Okavango River sink into the sands of the Kalahari Desert.

With many of the Delta’s remote areas generally inaccessible or not reachable in any other way, an aerial perspective is one of the best ways to get a true feeling for the Delta’s vast land-water spaces. Keen photographers and thrill seekers can even opt to have the doors removed for unrestricted views of the unfolding vistas below.

Catch-and-Release Fishing

In addition to being deemed one of the world’s premier wilderness areas, the Okavango Delta is also renowned as one of Africa’s top fishing destinations due to its diverse variety of fish. Seasonal catch-and-release fishing excursions take place in the Panhandle region, where the Okavango River feeds into the labyrinth of channels and lagoons that make up the heart of the Delta wetland.

Notable fish species include the African pike and the sleek catfish. If you are after the impressive Tiger fish, embrace your adrenalin-fuelled inner angler, and set your rod up at Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp, cast it into the water and watch for the lightning quick olive-coloured back and silvery underbelly of your catch.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp Accommodation

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is renowned for its elegant and luxurious, yet rustic tented accommodation. Boasting breathtaking views of mature mopane woodlands, seasonally flooded grasslands, and expansive lagoons and channels, it offers guests the ultimate escape in the heart of the Delta wilderness.

Tucked away in a riverine forest, this exclusive Okavango oasis boasts nine luxury tented suites, including a spacious family suite with an enclosed interleading walkway. Blending harmoniously with the environment, the nine private Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp suites are set on raised wooden platforms, cradled under a canopy of towering ebony trees. Each of the en-suite tented suites are linked to the main lodge by a sandy path through the bush along the edge of the island.

All of Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp suites are the epitome of luxury and exclusivity. From spacious and stylishly furnished indoor and outdoor living areas, open-designed en-suite bathrooms boasting both an indoor and screened outdoor rainshower, to an extended private veranda and deck complete with a shaded sitting area, irresistible hanging daybed, and glorious Delta outlooks – Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp will exceed all your expectations.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

The thatched main area of this premier Delta wilderness escape is surrounded by large wooden decks on several levels, featuring comfortable seating from which to admire beautiful uninterrupted views over permanent floodplains where game is plentiful. As the 25,000-hectare private wildlife concession within which Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is situated is unfenced, guests are often lucky enough to enjoy views of passing elephant families, the matriarchs gently keeping their little ones in line and guiding them through the glistening water.

Expansive indoor and outdoor sitting and dining areas include a range of guest-pleasure amenities that can be enjoyed right throughout your stay, including, but certainly not limited to: an interactive food and coffee bar complete with trained baristas; an idyllic fireplace setting ideal for enjoying a nightcap during the colder months; an exquisite and extensive pool area with stunning shaded salas and loungers perfect for soaking up the African sun or savouring a poolside cocktail; a dedicated massage sala; and a spectacular open-air boma, set under the dappled shade of the camp’s massive ebony trees, ideal for those buffet feasts under the stars. And that’s merely scratching the surface of what this exclusive and intimate &Beyond Okavango Delta hidden gem has to offer.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

Additional Amenities:

  • Al Fresco Dining
  • Stunning sparking pool
  • Signature shop
  • Massage Sala / Wellness Treatments
  • Bar & Lounge

Best time to go to Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp & the Okavango Delta

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

The Okavango Delta’s winning combination of permanent wetlands and abundant resident wildlife makes it one of the top year-round safari destinations in Africa.

When planning your trip, it is important to consider the Okavango Delta’s seasonal nature. The Okavango Delta has two distinct seasons, namely the dry winter season (April – October) and wet summer season (October – March). Each Delta season offers a unique experience in terms of wildlife, birdlife, vegetation, and safari adventures and experiences.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp

As most people (both local and international) travel to this unique pulsing wetland at the heart of Botswana for its pristine wildlife, April – October (dry season) is considered the best time to visit the Okavango Delta.

#7 Xugana Island Lodge

Xugana Island Lodge is a luxury safari lodge located on a private island in the heart of the Okavango Delta of Botswana. The lodge offers an exclusive and tranquil retreat for visitors and travelers seeking a unique African safari experience that’s unlike anything they’ve encountered before.

Accommodation & Amenities:

  • 8 thatched-roof chalets with en-suite bathrooms and indoor and outdoor showers
  • The chalets are spacious and elegantly decorated paired with comfortable furnishings
  • Private viewing decks overlooking the Okavango Delta and the Xugana Lagoon
  • A swimming pool with sun loungers and a bar
  • A lounge and dining area with a fireplace
  • A curio shop selling African arts and crafts
  •  A bar and a restaurant serving gourmet meals featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi in the main lodge area

Features:

  • A private island location in the heart of the Okavango Delta
  • Accessible only by boat
  • A tranquil setting surrounded by water, reeds, and wildlife
  • A high level of personalized service from friendly and knowledgeable staff
  • A commitment to sustainable tourism and conservation efforts in the Okavango Delta

Safari Activities, Experiences & Adventures:

The Okavango Delta is known for its rich wildlife, including the renowned African Big5 where guests can enjoy up-close sightings and encounters of some of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife including but not limited to elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, various antelope, and other amazing wildlife and several birdlife species.

Here are some of the top African safari experiences and adventures guests can look forward to when visiting the bucket-list worthy Botswana travel destination that is Xugana Island Lodge:

  • Morning and afternoon game drives in open 4×4 vehicles. The lodge offers expert guides who are exceptionally knowledgeable about all wildlife, birdlife, as well as the local flora and fauna, and can take visitors on unforgettable safaris.
  • Guided bush walks to discover the Delta’s flora and fauna.
  • Traditional Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions through the waterways and channels of the Delta.
  • Motorized boat cruises to explore the Delta’s lagoons and islands.
  • Fishing for bream and tigerfish (catch and release).
  • Birdwatching, with over 450 species of birds found in the Delta.
  • Stargazing, with the lodge offering a telescope for guests to use.

Top Reasons to Visit Xugana Island Lodge:

  1. Experience the unique beauty and biodiversity of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.
  2. Stay in a luxurious safari lodge on a private island, surrounded by water and wildlife.
  3. Enjoy personalized service from friendly and knowledgeable staff, who are committed to making your stay comfortable and memorable.
  4. Explore the Delta’s diverse habitats and wildlife through a variety of safari activities and experiences, including game drives, bush walks, mokoro excursions, and boat cruises.
  5. Learn about sustainable tourism and conservation efforts in the Okavango Delta, and contribute to these efforts by staying at Xugana Island Lodge.

Overall, Xugana Island Lodge is a great option for visitors looking for a luxurious and unique safari experience in the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.