Nxabega Safari Camp is surrounded with 70km² of private concession area to the west of Chief's Island – with a variety of environments. Drive or walk through mature mopane woodlands, seasonally flooded grasslands and the surrounding palm islands where gigantic jackalberry, sausage and wild fig trees also grow, mokoro through the shallow lily filled lagoons or boat through papyrus lined channels in the permanent delta areas.
The name Nxabega comes from Basarwa (the language of the river bushmen), meaning 'place of the giraffe'. The camp nestles under the shady canopy of tall jackalberry trees overlooking a permanent floodplain. Burnished teak floors, locally crafted fittings and stylish furniture characterise this high-standard delta camp.
The high thatched main area is surrounded by wooden decks of varying levels offering several comfortable seating areas. Meals can be taken around a long, candle-lit dining table, or on smaller individual tables on one of the decks or by the pool.
Each of the en-suite tents are linked by a path through to bush along the edge of the island. Though essentially under canvas, the room's décor and large, enticingly comfortable beds with plumped up pillows give an air of opulence.
Activities at Nxabega include 4WD safari drives, night drives, guided bush walks, motor boat excursions, fishing and mokoro trips. Being predominantly an area of wetlands, Nxabega simply doesn't have the variety of game species that are found in some of the drier safari areas of northern Botswana. However, impala, lechwe, zebra, baboons, jackals and giraffe are common here, as are herds of elephant in the dry season (May to Oct). On our last visit, in April 2007, we also had good sightings of kudu, and a pack of hyena on a giraffe carcass.
Judging by Nxabega's guest book, leopards are seen regularly here, and the broken, bushy terrain is perfect for them. There's currently a resident pride of lions whose territory also crosses over into the areas around Kanana and Pom Pom camps.
As with most reserves in the region, there are no fences and the animals are free to come and go. There are occasional sightings of cheetah and wild dog in this reserve, although neither species is as common here as they are in some of the reserves to the east of Chief's Island.
However, don't be put off Nxabega by this apparent lack of variety of game! On our last visit, the quality of guiding we experienced here was really excellent. Each activity was led by a guide and a tracker, both of whom had a very good level of knowledge that they were keen to impart. We came back from our activities having learnt and seen much more than we'd ever expected – and been continuously more interested and engaged than in other reserves where the density of game was better, but the guiding poorer.
The lodge is run by CC Africa who have an excellent commitment to training their staff, and in particular their guides – and we're sure that this is a feature of Nxabega, and its sister-camp in the Okavango, Sandibe Safari Lodge.
Ideal length of stay: 2–3 nights. Note that a discounted rate is offered if Nxabega is booked in combination with its sister-camp, Sandibe Safari Lodge.
Central facilities: Nxabega Safari Camp's main building has a large dining area, a lounge complete comfortable arm chairs, books and board games, well stocked bar and a warm fire place perfect for the winter months (mid June to Sept). The main area is surrounded on two sides with decks each offering their own seating area, and has its own bathroom.
The pool area is linked to the main area by a raised walkway. Cushioned chairs and loungers are set up under the shade of umbrellas, overlooking the permanent floodplain. There is a cool box filled with chilled drinks available throughout the day.
The camp's curio shop is open between 8am and 4pm; it can be opened at other times on request.
Directions: Nxabega Safari Camp is reached by light aircraft. It is a 25-minute flight from Maun and a 75-minute flight from Kasane. From the airstrip it is a 5-minute game drive to the camp.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: CC Africa
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: Nxabega offers very high quality food. Great care is taken with the menu and the presentation, making this one of the best lodges for good food that we have come across in the Okavango Delta.
An early morning breakfast is served before the morning activity. This usually includes the option of cereals, fruits, yoghurts, juice, bread and porridge with tea and coffee. A tot of whisky with your porridge is recommended to help you kick start your day!
Lunch is usually eaten at individual tables. Each is served with assorted salads, meat dishes, fresh fire-baked bread and cheeses on a beautifully-presented, woven basket tray – which amounts to your own individual buffet!
Afternoon tea is served around 3.30pm, and is usually a combination of a light savory snack, such as chicken sosaties or salmon rolls, and some form of cake – with tea, coffee or juices.
The 3-course dinner menu is usually announced by the chef during lunch, just in case there are any last-minute changes, dietary requirements or requests to be noted. Whatever the options, even though you've just had lunch, it leaves your mouth watering.
It is usually outside, in the 'boma', on at least one night during your stay – when the menu is a mix of traditional African and barbeque dishes. On the other nights the dinners are more conventional. Typically of these, we enjoyed a very well-executed main course of honey-gazed chicken with mustard sauce, served with basmati rice and stir-fried vegetables.
On our most recent visit, in 2007, Nxabega's food was beautifully presented and a quality step above the food found in most of Botswana's camps. (In fairness, the general standards were very good – but Nxabega was certainly around the top!) Their attention to detail even ran to freshly-baked biscuits are part of the tea break on your morning activity, and home-made humus and tsatziki dips included with sun-downer drinks.
Nxabega will provide lunch packs on request for guests who are departing on early flights.
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: A bar service is available for drinks to be bought to the rooms on request – but the tents do not have telephones!
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: All beverages, apart from premium brand drinks, are included. There is a selection of Johnny Walker, Glenfiddich, Kahlua, Contraeu, specialist wines and French champagne available at an extra charge.
Water from the borehole is drinkable and fine for brushing teeth.
Special interests
Wildlife: The Nxabega Reserve is a particularly good area to spot leopard as they thrive in this sort of terrain. Although they are elusive creatures, the chances of seeing one on a 4WD day or night drive is higher here than at many other delta camps.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Botswana
Wellbeing: Nxabega Safari Camp offers a range of massage options including aromatherapy massages, Swedish massages, Indian head massages and feet massages lasting from half an hour to an hour and a half. These can be requested whilst at the camp and will be done in the privacy of your room.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wellbeing in Botswana
Children
Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Nxabega.
Age restrictions: Children under 7 years of age are not allowed to join the usual activities. On request, a short mid-morning game drive can be conducted just for the family group with young children.
Activities: A babysitting service is available for about 20 Botswana Pula per hour. This money is given directly to the babysitter, who is an ordinary member of the camp's staff. (Not a trained child-minder.) Meals catered for children are available on request.
Equipment: There is a cot and a high chair available at the camp. There are also extra single beds and stretcher beds which can be added to a room for a young child to share with parents.
Generally recommended for children: Yes.
Notes: The children may be taken to the staff village where one of the ladies will show them how to weave baskets. There is a portable DVD player available for children to use. At present, the family must bring their own DVDs with them. When we visited, there were plans for a library including a TV and DVD player and a selection of wildlife DVDs. These were due to come about towards the end of 2007.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: The camp has radio communications with Maun, and between guides on the activities. The camp has email and the internet available for use by guests at no extra charge. There is a telephone also available, but calls will be charged as an extra and can work out quite expensive. There is no mobile phone reception in the area.
TV & radio: There is a TV available in the staff village. Guests can join the staff to watch 'important' sporting events on request and at the management's discretion – although this would be unusual!
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: All the guides are trained in first aid and a good first aid kit is kept at the camp. Light aircraft flight to Maun hospital is possible during daylight hours. Medivac with helicopter for emergencies.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Fully trained, uniformed security guards monitor animal activity in the vicinity of the camp. They escort guests to and from rooms after dark.
Each tent contains a 'hooter' which guests can activate in the event of a medical emergency – and the guards should respond swiftly to this.
Fire safety: There is a fire extinguisher outside every tent which is serviced every 12 months. Notes on what to do in case of fire (meet in arrival area) in every room.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included. Collections are at 8am and returned the same day, weather permitting.
Money: No.
Accepted payment: Cash – Euro, US Dollars, South African Rand, Botswana Pula and Pounds Sterling Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and Travellers Cheques.
Great finale at Nxabega Safari Camp
A very special camp, even if it is difficult to pronounce! Lovely tents and some of the best food we had in Botswana, especially the brunches .
Wonderful mokoro and boat trips as well as lots of...
Nxabega Safari Camp review
Demarie and Grant were excellent hands-on managers - very active.
Our guide Dux was excellent and he handled a problem with a very difficult client superbly.
Demarie and Grant were also involv...
An informative and comfortable safari.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. Our guide Dux and tracker Stanley were extremely knowledgeable and gave us a lot of interesting information about the area, animals, birds, trees and flowers. Th...
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Nxabega homepage Click here for Nxabega Camp's homepage on the CC Africa website.
Pom Pom, Kanana & Nxabega