Botswana Safari

Xigera Camp and Xigera Mokoro Trail

Moremi Game Reserve - Okavango Delta, Botswana


Return to Map of Okavango Delta Camps

View images of Xigera Camp: Xigera Images
View Camp Layout Map of Xigera Camp: Xigera Map

XIGERA CAMP & MOKORO TRAIL - MOREMI GAME RESERVE, OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Xigera (pronounced Keejera) is one of the Okavango Delta's (and Botswana's) best kept secrets. Built in one of the most beautiful corners of the Okavango, Xigera Camp is situated on "Paradise Island" within the Moremi Game Reserve. The new Xigera opened in April 2000. This camp has something for everyone, in an area where there are no other Moremi camps. Great scenery and activities in a totally private setting make Xigera a wonderful area. We recommend a camp such as Xigera to all first-time guests to the Okavango as the "true" Delta experience must include a water-based camp and rides through the Delta's waterways on mokoro and boat. Xigera camp was rated as one of the top destinations of the 'Ultimate Safari' in the March 1999 issue of Conde Nast Traveler.

Accommodation            For images of Xigera, click Xigera Images           For Layout map of Xigera Camp, click Xigera Map
The old camp has been completely torn down and a wonderful new camp has been built on a new and better site on the island. The camp takes a maximum of twenty guests in superb and comfortably furnished tented rooms. En-suite bathrooms have showers and flush toilets and there is an additional outdoor shower.

The rooms are built within a shady grove and overlook a floodplain and waterhole which is often teeming with Red Lechwe and other animals. Meals are enjoyed in the dining room overlooking the main river, which, along with the pub and lounge area, is under thatch. Raised walkways connect the rooms to the dining area. There is also a plunge pool. Complimentary laundry services are provided. There are 3 honeymoon-style rooms and 7 twin rooms.

Activities
Xigera is in an area which has permanent water all year round, which makes it the perfect water and land activity camp. It is one of the only Okavango camps to offer mekoros and boating trips, foot safaris and game drives in total privacy, with the main emphasis being on water activities. The quiet waterways offer perfect mokoro opportunities and a true Delta experience - some lucky guests have even seen Leopard and Wild Dogs from their mekoros. Game drives give guests a different perspective of the area. Boating takes one further a field, and the walks offer the opportunity to get close to wild Africa. When the new park rules come into effect (pending), night drives will also be allowed. To get the best wildlife experience, we suggest you mix your activities. Because Xigera is situated within the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, fishing is not allowed - those guests interested in fishing should consider Vumbura Camp. Guests may also sleep out on islands by taking the new two-night Xigera Mokoro Trail (see below).

Xigera Mokoro and Walking Trail           Jump to The Xigera Mokoro Trail, click Xigera Mokoro
There is no better way to experience the Okavango than to travel through it by mokoro and to walk and camp out on its remote islands. Xigera is set in the heart of the Okavango Delta and the new mokoro trail starts soon after you land at the airstrip and meet up with your local BaYei guides. After a short drive to the starting point and a safety talk, you climb into the mekoros and set off into the wilderness for a two-night adventure on mekoros. Mekoros are dugout canoes propelled by a guide/poler who uses a long pole to push the craft through the Delta's shallow, winding channels.

Some of the mekoros carry the camping gear, drinks and food while others carry the guests and their personal luggage so that the group is totally self-contained and can operate and progress at its own pace. You will stop for a picnic lunch on the first day and find an island on which to make camp by mid-afternoon. The poler's will set up camp (although the guests are welcome to join in if they so choose). All meals are cooked on the campfire and there are bucket showers and a "long drop" loo. The tents are specially designed with the top made of netting so one does not lose the feeling of sleeping out under the stars. The tents do provide a safe and secure night with comfortable bedrolls including duvets and pillows.

After an early breakfast and a short walk while the poler's break camp and load the mekoros, you will set off for another island - enjoying the sights and sounds of the Delta and it's wildlife whilst relaxing in the dugouts. Most of the older guides at Wilderness Safaris cut their teeth taking similar mokoro trips and they love them for this reason. It's the ultimate feeling of freedom in this exquisite wilderness - unrestricted by any outside influences.

The group is always accompanied by a senior guide and the trips run from mid May to the end of October to fit in with the rise of the annual flood. Stops along the way during the day to walk and explore for any reason are the norm. The rhythm and pace depend on what is happening at that moment. On your last morning, you pack up your personal luggage and head back to the airstrip for the flight out to the next camp to continue your adventure.

Wildlife
Xigera has outstanding birding. Pel's Fishing Owl, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers, Slaty Egret, Rufousbellied Heron, Swamp Boubou and a host of eagles, vultures and raptors will keep the bird lover fully occupied. The rare Sitatunga antelope are at their highest density in the Okavango in the Xigera area. Stalking Sitatunga silently by mokoro is an experience never to be forgotten. The wooden foot bridge, which connects this island to the next, is often used by Lion and Leopard to move between islands. Many a guest has enjoyed Lion viewing from the dining room. When water levels permit, game drives are an attraction.

Top           Return to Map of Okavango Delta Camps

Water / Land Activity Table for Botswana camps:  Water/Land Botswana
Flying Times between Botswana camps:  Fly Times Botswana

For further information about the Okavango Delta, click More Okavango
For further information about the Moremi Game Reserve, click More Moremi
For further information about Botswana, click More Botswana