Nxamaseri Island Lodge
CEDARBERG RATING
Premier
Overview
Nxamaseri Island Lodge a charming and pictureque lodge, set on an island in the panhandle of the Okavango Delta. This must be one of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas in Botswana. As one of the oldest lodges in the Delta it has its own unique charm and atmosphere, but it has recently been completely refurbished and so offers a good standard of accommodation. The lodge has 7 double chalets and a family chalet.
The lodge offers water-based activities, including boating and mokoro trips among the network of channels that make up the area. Nxamaseri is one of the top bird watching and fishing destinations in the country and specialises in both, with expert and enthusiastic guides guaranteed to make your experience a memorable one.
Nxamaseri is also close to the magical Tsodilo Hills, a world heritage site and one of Botswana’s greatest treasures. The hills are home to some 2,000 rock art paintings by the Bushmen (San) people. The lodge offers guided day trips to Tsodilo Hills, where you can enjoy a variety of walking trails to different sights. You are also able to hike up the Hill (reasonable level of fitness required for the latter) to enjoy panoramic views over the Panhandle. Recently they have also built a fly-camp close to the Hills so that now you can head out to the Hills in the afternoon, check out some of the rock art in the late afternoon, sleep at the fly-camp and then enjoy another walk in the early morning before heading back to camp in time for lunch.
At A Glance
Off the beaten track
Birding hotspot
Monuments
Swimming pool
Romantic
Beautiful Landscapes
Spa
Wifi on premises
Wildlife
In Pictures
Nxamaseri Island Lodge on the map
Rooms
Standard Room
Each chalet is privately situated on its own teak deck. Bedrooms are quiet havens with open access to a seating area on a private deck. Each evening will see guests’ beds turned down and if there is a chill in the air, hot water bottles are tucked in under the blankets as a welcome surprise for tired guests. A safe is provided in each room and at reception for guests’ valuables.
Honeymoon Room
The honeymoon chalet is located on the other side of the lodge and quietly set on the island's edge with a private viewing deck looking over the Okavango Panhandle. Inside, the room offers more space than a standard room with an open plan bathroom, making it the perfect choice for travellers enjoying a special occasion.
Family Room
The family chalet is a spacious room ideal for larger families. Set on a private teak deck and consists of two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. The private balcony offers ample space for families to relax beneath the forest canopy between activities.
Nxamaseri – Kate’s Review
What a special place is Nxamaseri! It was a BIG favourite with us. This is a wonderful lodge to include for longer itineraries, especially if you fancy a bit of a break from early morning game drives.
The camp is in an exceptionally pretty location and is a very attractive camp as well. It offers just the right amount of luxury with a relaxed safari vibe.
BUT it is a special interest camp rather than a safari camp. There is not much wildlife (hippos, monkeys, evidence of elephants) but it is wonderful for birding, especially in the summer months with the European migratory birds adding to their sightings.
So you come here for the following (special) activities:
- Excursion to san bushmen rock paintings at nearby Tsodilo Hills, especially if you include a stay at their newly built sleep-out experience.
- Birding including possible sightings of the extremely rare Pels Fishing Owl
- Tiger fishing - this is a WONDERFUL experience even for inexperienced amateurs such as me.
- Enjoying the boating/mokoro/island walks*
As such, it should be seen as a BREAK from a full-on safari with the opportunity to do something different. So ideal if you are spending 8+ nights in Botswana. Or if you have been before and keen to see the Panhandle. 
The Honeymoon chalet is slightly larger with a larger deck with loungers (but it doesn’t face the sunrise). Room 2 is more forested so perhaps ideal for the hotter summer months. Rooms 4 to 8 have a good river view with the sunrise.
