Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is situated on an 8,000ha private concession in the centre of the famous Okavango Delta. It is to the south-east of Chief's Island in the old hunting area known as NG27a. Located in riverine forests on the southern, seasonal section of the Delta, it is set amongst the many small channels cutting their way through papyrus and red beds and permanent lagoons.

The seasonal swamp region extends beyond that of the permanent swamps. Covering an area of 12,000km², it is identified by open grasslands when the waters recede, changing dramatically to shallow wetlands during the flood. Life and sustenance levels rise with the waters.

Access to Nxabega Safari Camp is by fly-in and transfer. The flight by light aircraft takes 25 min from Maun and 75 min from Kasane. The airstrip is a 5 min game drive to the camp.

Nxabega nestles under a shady canopy of tall jackalberry trees overlooking a permanent floodplain. The high thatched main area is surrounded by wooden decks of varying levels offering several comfortable seating areas. The inside is decorated with locally crafted furniture and combined with the highly polished teak floors, typifies the high-standard of finishing found throughout the establishment.

The main area has a large dining room and the lounge comes complete with comfortable armchairs. It is ringed on 2 sides with private seating areas and bathroom. There are some books and board games to keep you occupied in quieter times and the well-stocked bar has an inviting fire-place, perfect for a night-cap in the colder winter months. The name Nxabega comes from Basarwa (the language of the river bushmen), and means 'place of the giraffe'.

The pool area is linked to the lodge by a raised walkway. Overlooking the permanent floodplains, cushioned chairs and loungers have been set under the shade of umbrellas. A cool box – with a selection of soft drinks – is available throughout the day. The camp's 'safari shop' stocks a range of quality branded clothing and accessories.

Nxabega offers a range of wellness treatments in the privacy of your room. A range of massages are available including aromatherapy, Swedish, Indian head and feet massages, lasting from 30min to 1 ½ hrs.

Meals are served in either indoor or outdoor dining areas, mainly around a long, candle-lit dining table inside, or on smaller individual tables on one of the decks. Breakfast is served before the morning activity and usually includes cereals, fruits, yoghurt, juice, bread and porridge with tea and coffee. Lunch is assorted salads, meat dishes, fresh fire-baked bread and cheeses.

Afternoon tea is served around 15h30, a combination of a light savoury snack, (chicken sosaties or salmon rolls), with cake, tea, coffee or juices.

The 3-course dinner menu is usually announced by the chef during lunch. This is to cater for any last-minute changes and dietary requirements. If it is served in the 'boma', the menu is a mix of traditional African and braai dishes, or if inside honey-gazed chicken with mustard sauce, served with basmati rice and stir-fried vegetables would be typical.

Accommodation is in 9 canvas tented suites, positioned on either side of the main thatched area. The luxury units are stylishly furnished with queen sized beds, en-suite bathrooms and they are linked by a path that leads through to bush along the edge of the island.

As Nxabega is situated in a predominantly wetland area, the variety of game species are not as many as in the drier safari areas of northern Botswana. But expect to see impala, red lechwe, zebra, kudu, baboons, hyena, jackals and giraffe. Herds of elephant are common in the dry season and there are occasional sightings of lion, cheetah and the African wild dog.

A full range of activities are available by land and water, either on foot, vehicle or by boat. Each activity is led by a guide and a tracker, both of whom have high levels of knowledge and experience.

Okavango Delta Lodges | Botswana

Game Drives

Morning and afternoon game drives are conducted in open-side 4WD safari vehicles.

Night drives

Take the opportunity to spot some of the rarer nocturnal animals, a very different but most rewarding experience.

Guided bush walks

Your guide will lead you to all the well-known animal haunts, ideal for close-up photographic opportunities without disturbing the animals.

Boat trips

Include motor boat excursions, fishing trips and relaxing mokoro trips under the expert guidance of your poler.

Safety

As dangerous animals roam freely around the camp area, which is unfenced, fully-trained, uniformed security guards monitor animal activity in the vicinity of the camp. They escort guests to and from rooms after dark. An additional extra in each tent is a 'hooter' which guests can activate in the event of a medical emergency.

• Children of all ages are welcome at Nxabega.
• Children under 7 years of age are not allowed to join the usual activities. A short mid-morning game drive can be conducted for a family group with young children on request.
• A babysitting service is available who is an ordinary member of the camp's staff, but not a trained child-minder.
• Meals catered for children are available on request.
• There is a cot and a high chair available at the camp.
• Extra single and stretcher beds can be added to a room for a young child to share with parents.
• The children may be taken to the staff village for a basket weaving demonstration by one of the ladies.
• There is a portable DVD player available for children to use.