Xigera, said 'Kee-jera', stands under a canopy of indigenous trees in the Moremi Game Reserve, deep in Botswana's Okavango Delta. The family behind it has been in hospitality for more than a century, and the lodge is filled with work by African artists, designers and craftspeople, from sculptural chairs to copper fireplaces. There are 12 suites, each designed on its own terms and placed for privacy, each looked after by a private butler, and a two-bedroom Family Suite suits several generations travelling together. The water of the Delta shapes the days. Guests head out by vehicle, by mokoro or on foot, track leopard across the floodplains, go on a photographic drive or take to the air by helicopter. Nothing runs to a fixed timetable, and private guides can be arranged. Back at the lodge there is a spa with a yoga pavilion, a wine cellar and bar, chef-cooked meals and a self-guided walk through the art collection. For one night away from the main lodge, the Baobab Treehouse lets guests sleep out under the night sky.
- Nearest airport
- Maun Airport (MUB), 55 Miles / 88 Kilometres
- Rooms
- 12 suites
Insider tip Stays of four nights or more open up the Delta's Ancestral Passage, an overnight journey further into the Okavango. Ask for it at the time of booking.
Why I choose it Few lodges in the Delta give design and art this much care, and the mix of water, land and air keeps a longer stay varied.