Xigera Safari Lodge
botswana, botswana · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Xigera is the Botswana camp for honeymooners who want a safari that doubles as a contemporary African art gallery. Rebuilt in 2021 on a private concession bordering Moremi Game Reserve, the lodge was developed with Cape Town's Southern Guild gallery as curator — every light fitting, every basin, every door handle and chair is a commissioned piece from an African artist. Twelve suites on raised stilts above the Delta channels are vast, entirely solar-powered, and fitted with bronze-cast sculptures and hand-woven textiles. The main areas include a wine cellar for private dinners, a wellness centre with proper spa treatment rooms, and the Baobab Treehouse for star-bed sleep-outs. The game viewing combines water and land with strong leopard, elephant and lion showings. It is the most design-forward safari lodge in Botswana — and arguably the entire continent.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Have a budget under $1,000/night
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
94/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
All twelve suites are essentially identical and spectacular; pick on orientation. The suites at the eastern end of the walkway have the most dramatic sunrise exposure over the floodplain. For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, request the Baobab Treehouse for one night — a private star-bed platform perched in an ancient baobab, served dinner and breakfast by your butler, utterly silent except for the hippos below.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $3,150/nt) | $22,050 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $33,075 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $4,410 |
| Total estimated | $62,535 |
Book Your Stay
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Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival and design orientation
Light-aircraft transfer from Maun onto the Xigera airstrip, champagne welcome, a guided walk through the art installations with the on-site curator, and an evening boat cruise along the channel.
Leopard morning
Pre-dawn coffee, a long morning drive into the Moremi concession tracking the resident leopards, brunch back at the main area, an afternoon plunge-pool siesta and sundowners on the floodplain.
Mokoro and wellness
A silent dawn mokoro glide with your private poler, breakfast on a quiet island, an afternoon couples treatment in the spa, and a private dinner in the wine cellar beneath the lodge.
Full-day drive
Pack a picnic, head deep into the Moremi concession for a full day of game viewing with lunch in a shady grove, and return for a private bush dinner under the stars.
Baobab Treehouse night
Morning drive, a leisurely afternoon at camp, transfer to the Baobab Treehouse for sundowners, dinner under the canopy and a star-bed night in one of the most romantic sleeping platforms in Africa.
Boat and art
A gentle morning boat cruise with elephants along the banks, brunch, an afternoon walk through the Southern Guild art collection with the curator, and a boma dinner around the fire.
Farewell and transfer
A final dawn drive with coffee and rusks, a long farewell brunch and a light-aircraft transfer onwards or back to Maun.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Xigera is reached only by light aircraft from Maun with the standard 20 kg soft-sided duffel limit per guest — no hard cases, no exceptions, and flight timings can move for weather.
Xigera sits within the Delta water system — May to September brings high flood and strong boat and mokoro activity, while October to April is drier and better for land-based predator drives.
This is a malaria region — consult your travel doctor about prophylaxis, bring DEET and long-sleeved clothing for dusk, and be aware of normal bush-camp insect life including the occasional tsetse.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking enquiry — Xigera Safari Lodge, 7 nights Hello Xigera Reservations team, We are planning our honeymoon and would love to spend seven nights at Xigera Safari Lodge. Our tentative dates are [DATES], travelling as two adults. Please confirm availability for a standard suite, current fully inclusive per-night rates, and the Maun light-aircraft schedule. We would especially like to add one night in the Baobab Treehouse — please confirm availability and pricing. We'd also welcome your recommendations for pairing Xigera with a drier-country Botswana camp for a 10-14 night itinerary, plus any honeymoon-specific additions (private wine-cellar dinner, couples spa, art gallery tour with the curator). Please also send your current deposit and cancellation policy. Thank you — we look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, [Your names] [Phone] | [Email]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Xigera differ from the Wilderness flagships?
Xigera is privately owned by the Tollman family (the Red Carnation Hotel Collection) and curated by Southern Guild, which gives it a design-gallery feel that none of the Wilderness or Great Plains camps attempt. Game viewing is strong but the headline is the architecture and art.
Is the Baobab Treehouse worth it?
For honeymooners, absolutely — it's one of the most spectacular sleep-out experiences in Africa. Book it in advance; only one couple per night can use it and demand is high during peak season.
Is the spa a real spa?
Yes — Xigera runs a dedicated wellness centre with treatment rooms, a hair and nail salon, and a menu of massages and facials using high-quality African botanical products. It is more serious than most bush-camp spas.
Are children allowed?
Xigera accepts children from six years old, with a dedicated family suite. In practice the camp feels adult-led and couples-heavy, with plenty of quiet corners for honeymooners.
Can we buy the art?
Yes — every piece is for sale through Southern Guild's Cape Town and Los Angeles galleries. The lodge has an on-site curator who can arrange viewings, pricing and international shipping if you fall in love with something.
What's included in the rate?
All meals, all drinks including premium wines and spirits, all scheduled activities (drives, boat, mokoro, walks), laundry, park fees, Wi-Fi throughout, and light-aircraft transfers to and from Maun.
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