Xigera Safari Lodge

Everything was excellent honestly . The atmosphere , the relaxation and the drinks kept on coming 😂❤️ . The activities were amazing including the landscapes. Each camp is situated in various parts of the Delta. Xigera is located in an ever green area, which makes a stunning backdrop for the beautiful African sunsets 😍.

My recent visit 5-day visit to the magnificent Xigera Lodge in Botswana was without doubt the most incredible, awe-inspiring trip I could ever have imagined or hoped for. The lodge is the vision of the late Stanley Tollman. His meticulous attention to detail and clear love of Africa shines through in every aspect of the design and construction of this stunning property. This attention to detail theme is also embraced whole heartedly by all of the members of the Xigera Team. Their passion for their property and its magnificence is inspirational and enthusiastically shared with us as guests throughout our stay. The food options and choices at Xigera are exceptional. Head Chef Reggie, alongside chefs Prince and Patrick, created a constant flow of delicious dishes, that were always served with wonderful smiles, alongside their in-depth knowledge of their ingredients. Other members of the team such as Quest, Maatla, Nio, Topps, Katie, Lollipop and Arone were always on hand to deliver impeccable service, whether that be at 5.00a.m. for the first drive or for last drinks at the bar. Our twice daily drives were always eagerly awaited and never disappointed. The evening drive was always topped off with a spectacular sunset and delicious sundowners prepared by our wonderful guide Chris. Chris has an incredible and in-depth knowledge of the bird and animal life of Botswana and his explanations, describing the dynamics of what makes up the Okavango Delta were captivating and fascinating. Each drive was unique, allowing us to get close to leopards, lions, giraffe, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, etc. The variety of bird life that we saw daily was equally remarkable and allowed me the opportunity to tick off countless birds seen for the first time. One of our many highlights of the trip was a surprise, meticulously planned al fresco brunch where we were treated to a delicious, cooked brunch at a waterhole, allowing us to observe wallowing Hippos, elephants, crocodiles etc. whilst we ate. Xigera Lodge is headed up by their inspirational General Manager, Ben Seager. Ben’s passion for Xigera and Botswana is infectious and he leads from the front. Greeting guests daily when they return from their drives, sharing his intimate knowledge of the game reserve and details of each day’s sightings. Knowing that I am a very keen fisherman and eager to catch my first Tigerfish, Ben very kindly organised an incredible fishing adventure for us on the Okavango River. First flying us on an exciting helicopter journey to the Pan Handle, allowing us to have a privileged and spectacular eagle eye view of the wildlife of the Okavango Delta. We were then guided by an expert ghillie who skilfully managed to manoeuvre our boat amongst “bloats” of Hippos and countless enormous crocodiles. Allowing me to not only catch my first ever Tigerfish but an additional four. Alongside sightings of Osprey’s, Little Bittern, Goliath Heron’s, Malachite Kingfishers etc. This was a day I will treasure and remember for a very long time. Suffice to say, our visit to Xigera Lodge has created a wonderful catalogue of incredible memories, permanently etched into our hearts and this has left us wondering how on earth we will ever be able to match, let alone beat this awesome adventure.

Finally I have come down to earth to be able to write a review. Xigera is the most special place in the world. Our trip was definitely a bucket list trip of a lifetime but without a doubt the crown jewel was Xigera - there's nothing quite like it . The staff, the service and the sheer awe of the property itself are breathtaking. From the moment we touched down there was always someone with a smiling face and a helpful hand. The game drives and Chris were memories in their own right , full of adventure and animals so close we couldn't believe it . The fact that my young adults had lionesses and cubs outside their door was an experience they will never forget. Wild dogs- who knew ? The food!!! Oh my goodness , to die for . The chefs table with Reggie was so wonderful and tasted sublime . Another great family memory. The staff at the spa ( lollipop and her assistant) were so accommodating and always around to help with gym and pool requests at any given moment and always with a smile . Mr M and Mr Topps at the bar always had a tasty cold refreshing drink magically appear on our entrance to the lounge area. The FA cup final and the fact both my die hard Manchester United men were able to watch it in Botswana, in the wild , in the library with snacks , cocktails and staff who dropped in to cheer was worth its weight in gold , another memory to cherish. It takes a village and they certainly have the best . The village also needs a chief and in Ben Seager they have a leader who leads by example and is someone to look up to and emulate . The staff are exceptional here. If you're reading this you may be thinking of booking , yes it's expensive but it's at the top of its game and worth every single dollar . Please book and thank me later. Thank you Xigera , it was all we had hoped for and more. One day we will be back .

Xigera is in a class by itself among African lodges. We have stayed at One and Only/Wilderness Safari and and Singita Lodges in Rwanda/Tanzania/Kenya/South Africa but this is above and beyond (comparable to Singita in Rwanda). The property is incredible. Every piece of wood is a work of art (a museum of African art), there is a fitness center (much appreciated), Internet, air conditioning, a world class bar, Spa, wine cellar, boma, library and incredible suites. We stayed in suite 6 and 4 over 3 nights and it was spectacular. Special love for the leopard bar! We appreciated all the little touches - every one knew our name, every night we had sweets by the bed, the mini bar has anything you would want, the food is 40 plant based which is GREAT and life changing for vegetarians/healthy eaters. The chef is AMAZING - we talked to him a lot and the food is 5+ star and healthy overall. The last night we were treated by Natalie (THANK YOU NATALIE!!) to a small 6 course tasting dinner with wine pairing which was above and beyond anything we could have expected. Honestly one of the highlights of our trip. Did I mention the spa? Took advantage by having a massage and also took advantage of the library with port/cognac and a gorgeous space. Our guide Chris was also a highlight - tons of Leopard/lion/elephant sightings - we were often the first ones to find the lions or leopards. The property is gorgeous. I wish they were in a concession where you could do night drives but we still enjoyed getting back in time for gin and tonics. The spa area was great, the star gazing area was amazing - all in all, just off the charts - 10+ stars if I could. he only thing I'd suggest to the general manager is a DARK SKY observing site with a pier/mount/10-12 inch telescope to take advantage of the super dark skies. For the amount they charge a night, they should rival Namibia where ewe had a professional astronomer and observatory for half the price. Just a suggestion to make this paradise even better if hat tis even possible!!! Thanks to the incredible staff (literally everyone: our fabulous bartender, Natalie, the main chef, the general manager, everyone who greeted us after each safari...) - you made us feel special. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts!!! This one is a trip for the record books and truly is in a category by itself right now.

Xigera is a lodge right out of Architectural Digest. The décor and artifacts was designed by 80 of Africa’s most recognized artists and designers After flying over the breathtaking Okavango Delta we arrived at their landing strip and driven to the lodge. We were greeted by a warm welcome from some of the staff upon on arrival for our 4 night stay. The huge tented suites were the most fabulous of all the lodges we went to on our 6.5 week journey through Africa. The stunning and luxurious suites are raised on stilts overlooking the Okavango wilderness with 2000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living. The décor is gorgeous with striking colors throughout. Nothing was sparred when creating the suites. Every piece of furniture in the suite is a work of art. There are complimentary drinks and treats in the mini- bar. We were shown to our suite by our Housekeeper, named Girlie. She spent over one hour explaining every detail of the suite to us, even connecting my husband’s laptop computer. Girlie kept our suite to absolute perfection all day long. She was one of the highlights of our stay at Xigera. Her personality is so engaging, passionate and she always had the biggest smile with the best attitude. We miss and love you Girlie! On our last night in our room we were surprised with candles and a special cake for an occasion we were celebrating. We appreciate all you did for us. Bostwana is known for it’s water safaris. We saw so many hippopotamus and crocodiles on our boat safaris. Our boat captain NT was great navigating the motorboat through the water and explaining everything to us with the assistance of our guide Genius. We also did land safaris with Genius. He was a charming person besides being a knowledgeable guide. We saw cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras etc. The community areas of the lodge are also spectacular including the lounge area, bar, and dining areas. All the furniture is handmade and is exquisite. The bartender, Mr. B made the best mixed drinks! The bar is a great place to go before dinner. The food was creative and delicious. Thank you to our waiters Dicks and Maatla for the outstanding service you provided us. Thanks also to Chef Malebogo, Antonio ( F & B), and Katie(F & B). One night Chef Prince made just my husband and I a fabulous candlelight dinner while we sat on bar stools facing their open air kitchen. He is so talented and the food was amazing! We also went on a Mokoro (like a canoe) through the waters. The poler stands to navigate through the waters and it was so calming and relaxing. At the end they surprised us with a full bar set up with food. That was really special! Xigera does everything “over the top”! We had fantastic massages at the Spa with Tumie and Buyi. Be sure to do this! The last night there was a Boma where we dined beneath the stars in candlelight. This elegant outdoor dining area has a fire pit where guests enjoy drinks and then a fabulous buffet style dinner with so many delicious choices. The hot food was cooked on outdoor grills. Afterwards the staff danced and sang and many of the guests joined in on the dancing. It was surely the best Boma we had on our African Adventure and a night to remember. We met the General Manager, Ben who is engaging and we loved talking to him. Running a lodge that is pure perfection doesn’t just happen without the leadership of Ben. We loved our stay at Xigera and will have lasting memories of our time there.