Reviews of Nxamaseri Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
77 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Nxamaseri Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Nxamaseri Lodge review"
The chalets were very comfortable. We went to Tsodillo Hills which I recommend. We spent about 6 hours looking at Bushman paintings. Our guide was very informative and the museum interesting.
We also saw elephant and a black mamba as well as kudu, impala, steinbuck and duiker. We also liked being on the river in the rainy season. The birding was terrific.
The staff also did an excellent job accommodating differing ages and interests." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa

Elephant
1 sighting

Hippo
Multiple sightings
"Nxamaseri Lodge review"
We were greeted at the lodge by Amos, who checked us in and let us know what different activities we could do. We arranged for a boat excursion on the delta at 4pm, and to be driven to the Tsodilo Hills early the next morning. The birdlife here is excellent. System was very knowledgeable on everything in the delta, and we saw many types of kingfisher,cormorants, bee eaters, fish eagles, yellow billed kites, mourning doves, coppery tailed coucals, the 'go away' bird, as well as others. In the main Okavango channel (Cubango River), we also saw hippos and crocodiles. We dined that evening at a table of 4 with the only other guest at the lodge, and Action, another member of staff. Dinner was good, although we did eat it in near darkness as there was an issue with the lighting on the viewing deck, and also the Wifi (which was sorted the next day).
System also was our driver to the Tsodilo Hills. The road is approx 40km long, and is in a very poor condition. Ollie from the lodge also came with us, as she had packed a delicious lunch that she would prepare for us once we had finished our tour of the hills. Once at the hills we were introduced to our local guide, Lopang. He was very enthusiastic about the area, its importance and significance, which he shared with us in an informative and friendly manner. We started on the female hill, and then incorporated parts of the 'Lion' and 'Rhino' trails to get an excellent overview of the sites history, and to view the rock art and other points of interest. We finished the activity in the museum, before heading back to the lodge (which due to the road conditions is a journey of approx 2 hours).
We went out for another birding excursion on the boat with System at 5pm, which was just as interesting as yesterday, except there was also a storm in the distance for added drama. We then all sat at one large table for dinner with the guests that had arrived that afternoon, and several members of staff. It was a self service buffet of pork chops, mash, veg and salad, with starters and dessert served by Ollie.
N.B. We had not got any Botswanan Pula ahead of crossing the border, we assumed we could use an atm like in Namibia just to withdraw some. There were a couple of banks in Shakawe, but the queues were exceptionally long, and none of them seemed to be dispensing any cash. There is no cash machine at the Mohembo border, but the card machines there worked for us to pay for our car permit. Also remember to retrieve all paperwork from the officials before you leave. We handed over our car cross border permit to allow the official to copy down the car details. We didn't get given it back in the bundle of documents and our passports, which led a fraught 20 mins or so when crossing back into Namibia a few days later, until we remembered that we had given it to them. We still then had to conduct a search of their office before it turned up in a pile of paperwork!" See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Hippo
3 sightings
"Nxamaseri Lodge review"

Elephant
1 sighting

Hippo
Multiple sightings
"Nxamaseri Lodge review"
It was cold and windy in the tent and in the communal areas.
Better birds than the Caprivi." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Hippo
10 sightings
"Nxamaseri Lodge review"
Nxamaseri Lodge provide morkoro and boat trips that were very interesting. I wanted to see the main channel of the Okavango River and we had a very pleasant excursion there. The guide was excellent, very personable, professional and knowledgeable.
Although the activities of the lodge were more limited due to its being on a small island, it was certainly worth the visit. I wish we had planned a second day to visit Tsodilo Hills to see more rock art and summit Male Hill." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 10n in Botswana

Hippo
3 sightings
"Wonderfull place off-grid at Okavango"

Hippo
Multiple sightings
"Special people @ a special place in Nxamaseri"
Special compliments for our guide, Mr P (we called him Mr Ooievaar, he knows - as he wanted to know the word stork in Dutch) who was very passionate. Showed us the redbilled stork by getting out the boat and go around slowly to see if we could get a better view. Furthermore showed us the fish eagle hunting by preparing a fish for him and throwing it in the water and last but not least told a lot about the people and their habits and culture which was so nice to hear and experience (making necklace from a water lily which the local people do when people get married etc). We went also with mokoro's with him.
thank you to the team for the champagne for our anniversary!
the only thing we regret but that's the season we travelled in is the lack of water, so we had to go by car to the edge of the river and only a few minutes by boat to the lodge. This means the local people also are working in the area which we could hear (trucks, building activities, their cows etc) so this doesn't give the feeling of being on an island, nice and peaceful and being in the bush." See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Nxamaseri - heaven!"
The young managers were like a breath of fresh air. They were so friendly and lively and it felt as if we were visiting their home. One of them was always in attendance if we were in the guest area and nothing was too much trouble. We were extremely fortunate to have the entire site to ourselves for one day, so it felt like our own private island.
The journey to the lodge, some 45 minutes by 4x4 and then boat, was amazing. We had own own guide for the entire stay; he was friendly and informative and clearly loved his sharing his home environs with visitors. The boat trips were designed to meet our wishes and interests; the early morning mokoro trip and the sundowner boat trip were both outstanding.
The food was absolutely of 5 star standard and plentiful. The managers ate with the guests and were attentive to everyone.
We can't really praise this place enough; it was the the highlight of our trip.
A word of warning: in September 2018 we found the state of the road, both north of the lodge (to the Namibian border) and south (through Gumare), absolutely treacherous. The locals describe "potholes", which is a gross understatement. The holes are continuous, often stretching across the entire road, and a man could easily lie down inside them. They are very hard to spot until you are on top of them. It is possible to drive off the tar road, as many do to avoid the holes, or you will have to slalom through. Either way, please do take extra care and allow plenty of time to drive slowly on these sections." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana

Hippo
2 sightings
"Nxamaseri Lodge review"
Our guide was very helpful throughout our stay. We enjoyed the activities we participated in particularly a trip to the nearby Tsolido Hills. There are excellent opportunities for spotting birds.
The atmosphere around the lodge was friendly and relaxing but the staff at the same time were professional and efficient. Meals are served at a communal table which can lead to good interaction between guests." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana

Hippo
3 sightings
"Nxamaseri Lodge review"
Food and accommodation were very good, although a mosquito net in the cabin would not be a luxury." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana

Sitatunga
1 sighting
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