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.
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:Â #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 08 Aug 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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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: Travelled 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 01 Aug 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 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:Â 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 17 Aug 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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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:Â 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 01 Aug 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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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
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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 08 Aug 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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My son and I travelled from Savute Lodge to Xugana Island Lodge for a 2 night stay in December. It was great to be able to compare Lodges and Safaris. Our guide, Flame, met us at the airport and we were lucky to have him to ourselves for the 3 days. Flame was fabulous! He must have super vision as he was able to detect and point out animals miles away...and when we followed the path, they were indeed there! He told us about the birds and plants and how they would use certain plants for lotions, etc. He has incredible knowledge of the Delta and everything that is living and growing there. The best part of the safari was that we were able to do night drives. Again we were able to see different animals and Flame's eyesight didn't disappoint! Besides the regular jeep drives, we also did a mokoro ride as well as a walking tour. These add to the flavour of the Delta and Xugana Lodge. The Lodge at Xugana was very comfortable. It's a small Lodge and therefore very personable. The staff treat you as family and you get to know the other guests during meals. The sunsets were amazing and we slept so well. They also now have wifi (not the strongest but at least you could keep in touch with the outside world) I would highly recommend Xugana, and thank them all for such an amazing experience.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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 23 Feb 2020
Good Day, Thank you for choosing to stay with us and we really appreciate the splendid remarks about our staff. Flame is indeed one of our gems in Xugana and he never disappoints in delivering great service and making his guests think twice about going back home. We will make sure that this is shared with him and knowing him, this will be music to his ears. Thank you for recommending Xugana to other travellers. Hope to see you back in your bush home soon. Warm Regards, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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The Okavango delta is simply a breathtaking place to visit and stay in. Xugana lodge is positioned directly on a large open lake in the delta and provides stunning views across the landscape when you are enjoying downtime between safari activities.
In addition to the setting the staff really make this place memorable. From the moment you arrive to the time of your departure all of the staff do everything to make your stay memorable and enjoyable. Everyone was so friendly and accommodating. Food is also excellent and plentiful.
The safari activities are excellent with water based, vehicle and walking safaris included. This provides an opportunity to see a differing array of wildlife in different settings. The guides really go out of their way to ensure you see as much wildlife as possible whilst also respecting the animals in their natural habitat. The night safari was really interesting and made me appreciate how active the animals are at night.
The Mokora was great fun and very tranquil gliding through the small waterways. One of my particular highlights was enjoying a sundowner on the water whilst watching flocks of birds flying across the water to nest on an island for the night. It’s a memory that I will cherish.
The accommodation is basic but clean, tidy and functional. If you are after five star luxury this isn’t the place for you. But you’re on safari in one of the most peaceful and beautiful parts of the world so there’s really nothing to complain about.
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Date of stay: August 2019
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 23 Feb 2020
Good Morning, What an amazing review you wrote about Xugana - Thank you. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed staying with us and had a great time on the safari enjoying the diverse activities Xugana has to offer. The bird life is most certainly a highlight. We will gladly share your review with the whole team. Hope to see you soon! Warm Regards, The Desert & Delta Safaris Management Team
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We have done quite a lot in Africa, but the Delta is just unique. We had a wonderful stay thanks to the excellent lodge and very friendly service. The best part of the lodge is the dining / drinking / sundowner area right on the water, where we had very good varied food and some refreshing drinks served by fun loving faces. The rooms are ok, I would say, I personally prefer the more tented version, but they are authentic, roomy and clean. We did not see too much game here (although lots of Elephants, buffalos, giraffes), but good bird sightings and just being in the water and watching the Elephants and hippos was very special. We loved our guide Bevan, who had incredible eyes and knowledge and lots of bush stories to tell. I would recommend this camp really to anyone, couples, families or singles too. We loved the Okavango Delta and its people!
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Rooms
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 08 Dec 2021
Dear Martin, Just awesome to hear that you and a wonderful stay at Xugana Island Lodge. We will pass on your feedback on to Bevan and the rest of the team. Best wishes, The 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 01 Aug 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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This lodge was incredible. Authentic and intimate - only 16 guests maximum. You feel like your are part of only a handful of people in the whole area. The tent accommodations were extremely comfortable and beautiful and clean. Love the shower with a view. The food was incredible especially in such a remote location. The staff were the best part. They were so friendly and professional from the welcome party to the sendoff. Shout out to Eddie, Bevan, Collen, Keds. Sure hope I get to return some day. Highly recommend
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Date of stay: August 2022
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 13 Dec 2022
We hope that you will too return to Xugana Island Lodge and we will be sure to keep a room on for you. We love to share our piece of Island paradise and it makes our day to know that you had a wonderful stay and enjoyed every aspect of the lodge. Thank you for your recommendation and praise. Kind regards, 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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