Located in the game-rich Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, in the middle of floodplains and clusters of towering trees, Xigera reopened in 2020 and offers a new level of luxury to the region. Architects of the 12-suite lodge’s renovation eschewed the traditional safari-style aesthetic and instead leaned into a unique, modern and playful design with beautiful pops of color and fabulous patterns for its spacious suites, indoor-outdoor bathrooms and wraparound decks. Safaris at Xigera venture out by land, via special lifted safari jeeps; by water, on a glass-bottom mokoro or double-decker powerboats; and by air, in helicopter safaris, which depart directly from the camp. Meals, whether a picnic in the bush, sundowners overlooking the views, breakfast amid birdsong or dinner by the Conrad Hicks–designed boma, are excellent and beautifully prepared.
The Standout: The unique design details throughout the lodge Don’t Miss: The opportunity to sleep out in the bush at the Baobab Treehouse
Indagare Loves
The focus on sustainability, including a state-of-the-art Tesla solar hybrid-power system, a water system using the latest reverse-osmosis technology and electric-powered game vehicles
The works of art scattered throughout the lodge’s colorful interiors—the designers partnered with Cape Town’s Southern Guild gallery
The spacious suites and bathrooms, which have indoor and outdoor showers and freestanding copper bathtubs
Xigera Safari Lodge
Xigera (pronounced ‘kee-jera’) reopened its doors in January 2021 with an impressively fresh and unique twist on more traditional African bush camps, all thanks to a lifelong dream of South African hoteliers, the Tollman Family, along with Red Carnation Hotels. When Stanley Tollman saw the opportunity to rebuild and refine the lodge, he knew the perfect pair to oversee the operation: Mike and Marian Myers. Mike Myers was a guide to the family in the delta for more than 20 years, and today, he mixes his deep understanding of the bush and sustainability with Tollman’s hospitality expertise. Located on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve within the delta, the lodge is designed by Philip Fourie, Toni Tollman and Anton de Kock, who partnered with the Southern Guild Gallery to include colorful furnishings and pieces exclusively created for the lodge and inspired by the bush.
Connected by boardwalks, Xigera has 12 suites, including a family suite featuring two bedrooms, all individually designed with private decks looking out onto the floodplain. Rooms are well thought-out with no expense spared or detail overlooked—guests can expect motion activated lights to safely walk them to their separate bathrooms, constant hot water, full air-conditioning, a phone at their bedside to call for room-service whenever needed and much more. On top of these details, the décor is beautifully done with pops of colors you don’t typically see at a safari camp. There are unique pieces of artwork and furniture at every turn and no two suites look the same. Bathrooms have both a toilet and bidet, indoor and outdoor showers, copper freestanding bathtubs and plush, large towels and robes.
The rich craftsmanship and attention to detail continue in the main tent, which is complete with outdoor and indoor dining, a wonderfully welcoming bar area that encourages guests to mingle, a library and many areas to lounge and look out to the wonderland of the delta. Beyond the amenities typically found at a safari camp is a spa with two treatment rooms and a gym equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. There is also a communal pool with loungers, a shop with exclusive products and a unique sleeping opportunity out in the bush at the Baobab Treehouse, a short drive from the main lodge. The staff that run and operate the lodge are just as much a part of the guest experience. Service is warm and friendly, and you quickly feel part of the Xigera family.
One would be remiss not to mention the incredible sustainability efforts the lodge is prioritizing to ensure they make a minimal impact on the environment. The list of these efforts is long, and the rebuild includes a Tesla solar photovoltaic diesel hybrid system with lithium-ion battery storage for energy supply and thermodynamic geysers for producing hot water. Even the kitchen is making a positive impact—there are fat traps installed to stop cooking waste from entering the Sewage Treatment Plant. The waste is then sent to Maun to a local free-range chicken farmer, who converts it into high quality chicken feed.
Note: Children under 12 are not allowed at the camp, making it feel more adult-focused.
Who Should Stay
Couples or families with older children (12 and up only are allowed) looking to splurge for the top pampering experience in a premier location within the delta
Impact
Botswana has long been lauded for the standards to which it holds the tourism companies operating within its borders. Indeed, many of Indagare’s criteria for an Impact Hotel are mandated by Botswana Wildlife Services. Even still, Xigera excels within these categories, and was awarded the top level of certification in Ecotourism by Botswana Tourism for its services. Beyond the lodge in the Moremi Game Reserve, Xigera also manages impact initiatives in the much less-visited town of Maun.
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Baobab treehouse. Courtesy Xigera Safari Lodge
Selinda Camp. Courtesy Great Plains
Baobab Treehouse. Courtesy Xigera Safari Lodge
Marula Suite. Courtesy Xigera Safari Lodge
Courtesy Xigera Safari Lodge
Courtesy Xigera Safari Lodge
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