CAMP XAKANAXA – MOREMI GAME RESERVE – OKAVANGO DELTA

Camp Xakanaxa (pronounced Ka-ka-na-ka) is a small and friendly tented camp beautifully set on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve and offers a year-round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience.

With just eleven spacious and tastefully furnished ensuite tents and one two bedroom family tent the camp is situated on the fringes of the lagoon.  Each tented suite has a private viewing deck with comfortable loungers and there is a small swimming pool on site.

Activities include year round land and water activities – motorised boat safaris and 4 x 4 game drives to explore the ancient riverine forests, open savannah, serpentine channels and seasonal floodplains.

LOCATION

Camp Xakanaxa is located on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon in the Moremi Game Reserve within the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.

Access is by light aircraft transfer to Moremi airstrip and it is a short 5 minute drive to the camp.

CAMP

Camp Xakanaxa has the characteristics of a classic tented camp and has just eleven spacious all-canvas classic Meru-style luxury safari tents and one two bedroom family tent. The tents have ensuite showers, hand basins and toilet facilities and a private viewing deck with comfortable loungers and are situated around the fringe of the lagoon.

The main buildings extend over the Khwai River and are set on raised platforms to make the most of the views over the surrounding lagoons and islands. The elegant lounge and dining rooms are built of local timber, reed and thatch and feature a small library, expansive sundeck, a plunge pool and sala with day bed. The fire-deck extends over the Khwai River and creates an enchanting environment in which to relax after dinner. There is also a larger pool with elevated sun deck in the grounds of the camp.

Fans, small hairdryers and tea and coffee making facilities are available in all rooms and there are 220V multi adaptor plugs for charging photographic equipment.

The family suit has two bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom.

The camp has 24-hour electricity supplied by a solar plant backed up by a generator and 220V AC plugs in all the guest rooms.  A guest laptop is available with basic internet connection in the library – there is no WIFI available.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland water systems. It rises in Angola’s western highlands, then flows through northern Namibia and finally enters Botswana, where it is called the Okavango Delta.

The ancient riverine forests, open savannah, serpentine channels and seasonal floodplains that surround the camp make for a varied habitat of exceptional fauna and flora. The camp is one of few offering a year-round land and water game-viewing experience, in open 4×4 safari vehicles or powerboats. The diverse habitat ensures prolific sightings of Elephant, Buffalo, Hyena, Giraffe, Hippo, Wildebeest, Kudu, Lechwe, Lion and Leopard, among many others. Birding is spectacular, especially in the spring and summer months when the migrants are breeding.

Guided Game Drives – morning and afternoon game drives to explore the many different ecosystems that the Moremi Game Reserve has to offer.

Motorised Boat Safaris – boating safaris across the Xakanaxa Lagoon and into the Okavango Delta are also offered from Camp Xakanaxa in search of the Okavango Delta’s diverse wildlife and abundant birdlife.

Bird Watching – is quite spectacular, especially during spring and summer when the migrants breed.

GIVING BACK

The CARES philosophy is the foundation on which Desert & Delta Safaris is built, highlighting our core values in developing human potential and building a sustainable tourism model.

Established in 1982, Desert & Delta Safaris is one of the most successful safari operators in Botswana. Their philosophy and core values in supporting people and protecting the natural heritage of Botswana is at the forefront of how they run their business.

Through a variety of initiatives, they support local communities, focused on creating career opportunities in the tourism industry.

Desert & Delta Safaris employs approximately 320 staff members within the eight safari lodges and the remote location of properties means access to medical care is a challenge, so they employ a full time company doctor. Run as a family practice, the company doctor conducts regular visits to each of the properties allowing him to get to know the staff individually to understand their specific medical needs as a GP but ensuring that the best medical advice and mentoring is freely available.

The company is eco-conscious, driving sustainable and innovative initiatives within daily operations which protect and limit the impact of business on the areas in which they work.

As members of Botswana Tourism, several of the Desert & Delta Safaris camps and lodges are EcoTourism rated, the highest status recognised by Botswana Tourism for sound sustainable tourism initiatives. This includes the usage of greywater treatment plants, careful waste management protocols as well as the use of sustainable building materials wherever possible.

CAMP XAKANAXA IS CLOSED FOR ONE MONTH DURING THE RAINY SEASON (JANUARY TO MARCH) EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 6 YEARS AND OLDER AND THERE IS A DEDICATED FAMILY TENT AVAILABLE