Xobega Island Camp is a piece of paradise in the great water wonderland that is the Okavango Delta. Just off the mainland of Moremi Game Reserve, Xobega (or Gcobega) Island is ideally located and easily accessible for self-drivers (4 x 4 only), and what it offers can’t be beaten. A bird-lover’s paradise, and an adventurer’s dream, Xobega has 10 light Meru-style canvas tents equipped with twin stretcher beds and en suite, open-air bathrooms. Everything about this camp is eco-friendly, from the solar-power, to bucket showers, and chemical toilets.
Guests arrive at the tree-filled island via boat and are welcomed to this simple safari. Hippos rule the waters around the island, lions are heard across the water, and a Pel’s fishing owl takes up residence in the trees.
AT A GLANCE
- Located on a private island in the Okavango Delta, a 1.5 hour boat ride from Xakanaxa Boat station
- Afforable Botswana safari experience in canvas tents with a rustic, simplistic style
- 10 Meru-style safari tents with en suite open-air bathrooms
- Eco-friendly – solar power, heated bucket showers, chemical toilets
- The many trees on the island offer each tent a shady, private position
- Twice daily boat cruises through the Delta waterways
- Professional guides and warm hosting making guests feel very comfortable at all times
- Unfenced camp with wildlife free to roam throughout
- Birder’s paradise
- Fantastic destination for groups and families looking for wilderness and adventure
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Simple Item 9 +
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Location+Xobega Island Camp is located on a small island in the Okavango Delta and the camp is accessed by boat from Mboma Island boat station in the Moremi Game Reserve. This location is easily reached by self-drivers (4 x 4 only) travelling from Maun Airport, through Moremi, and to Mboma boat station, where they will be picked up transferred to Xobega on a 45-minute boat cruise.
On arrival at Maun Airport, exit onto Airport Road and continue to the stop street intersecting Sir Seretse Khama Rd. Turn left onto Sir Seretse Khama Rd and continue straight out of town, crossing the Thamalakane River, until you reach a roundabout. Turn left (first exit) and continue from tar to gravel road, cross the vet fence and eventually keep left at fork, continuing to Moremi South Gate (aka. Maqwee).
From Moremi South Gate, drive straight towards Third Bridge, turning left 2km before you reach Third Bridge at a sign indicating to do so. Follow that road until a 3rd sign indicating a left turn, which you take, and finally a 4th sign approximately 1.5 km from the boat station. Turn right here and continue until you arrive at the boat station.
GPS coordinates:
- Xobega Island Camp 19 10 13.28 S / 23 12 18.26 E
- Mboma Boat Station 19 11 40.22 S / 23 16 16.96 E
- Maun Airport to Xobega Island Camp
Xobega Island Camp is located on a small island (Gcobega) in the Okavango Delta and the camp is accessed by boat from the Xakanaxa Boat Station in the Moremi Game Reserve.
This location is easily reached by self-drivers (4 x 4 only) travelling from Maun airport, through Moremi, and onto Xakanaxa BoatStation, where they will be picked up and transferred to Xobega on a 45-minute boat cruise.
On arrival at Maun Airport, exit onto Airport Road and continue to the stop street intersecting Sir Seretse Khama Road. Turn left onto Sir Seretse Khama Rd and continue straight out of town, crossing the Thamalakane River, until you reach a roundabout.
Turn left (first exit) and continue from the tar to gravel road, cross the vet fence and eventually keep left at the fork, continuing to Moremi South Gate (also known as Maqwee).
From Moremi South Gate, follow the sign post straight to Xakanaxa through the Mopane forest (42km). Drive straight at the junction after the Wildlife office (sign posted) to Xakanaxa boat station.
Moremi Park Fees
Guests self-driving (4 x 4 only) to Xobega Island Camp, will need to pay BWP120 per person per day, and BWP50 per vehicle per day at the gate that they enter the Park. Cash only is accepted.
Self Drivers
Please note that all self drive guests will need to present their Reservations Summary and Invoice for their Xobega Island Camp booking. In addtion the camp is only accessible via a proper 4 x 4 and preferably with prior 4 x 4 driving experience -
Facilities+» 10 Meru-style safari tents with en suite open-air bathrooms
» Bucket showers, standing canvas wash basins, and chemical eco-toilets
» Stretcher beds with swags and full linen in each tent
» Bedside table with insect repellent and water glasses
» Solar-powered lighting in the tents
» Two safari chairs under the small canopy forming ‘veranda’ at each tent
» Hammocks for siesta
» A dining tent with dining table, chairs, and a tea and coffee station
» Two lounge gazebos in camp, complete with wicker furniture
» A clearing with central campfire forming an open-air boma for evening relaxation -
Activities+SAFARI
Xobega Island Camp is a remote destination that is only accessed via boat, which becomes the primary game viewing activity. There are no game drives on the island; but mokoro excursions are offered into the lagoons at the boat station. A summary of activities is as follows:
- Morning and afternoon boat cruises around the Delta islands and through the hippo-filled channels
- Birdwatching from the camp and boat – Pel’s fishing owls are known to nest on Xobega Island, giving avid birder’s something very special to look forward to.
- Sundowners on the water – Guests can enjoy icy refreshments at the most beautiful time of day as the boating safari continues, or a stop off at an island for sundowners.
- Mokoro safaris – Optional at boat station on transfers in and out of Xobega Island.
- Photography – Whether out on the boat or relaxing on the island, always have a camera handy, especially if you are a keen birder.
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Typical Day at Xobega Island Camp+Boating safaris are the main attraction at Xobega Island, while mokorosafaris are easily organised. Daily routines change according toguests’ itineraries; however, the below is a guideline ofday-to-day activity:
06h00 Wakeup call followed by coffee and rusks at the dining tent
06h30 Departfor 3-4 hour boat cruise including a coffee stop
10h30 Returnto camp with hot bucket showers ready and waiting
11h30 Brunchis served in the dining tent, followed by afternoon siesta
16h00 Departfor afternoon boat cruise
18h30 Returnto camp with hot bucket showers ready and waiting
19h30 Dinneris served at camp, followed by campfire chatter -
Wildlife+Botswana is a wildlife paradise, with elephants roaming in high numbers, hippos occupying every waterway, buffalo gathering en masse to drink from the waterholes, zebra migrations, red lechwe bounding through rivers, giraffe touching the tree tops, and warthogs shovelling the earth.
Moremi is a known wildlife hotspot, and is a protected area of the Okavango Delta. Lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and spotted and brown hyena, are some of the top predator species that are frequently seen.
The birdlife in Botswana is no exception to the fantastic collection of wild creatures that call this country home. The many waterways of the Okavango Delta and Moremi create a habitat for many water birds, while raptors soar overhead, and melodious larks disguise themselves in the scrub.
Malaria
Before travelling, guests are encouraged to consult their local doctors on anti-malarial medication and preparation, however a repellent stick or spray is effective and should be utilised. -
How to get there+Xobega Island is accessed via 1.5 hour boat ride from Xakanaxa Boat station in the Moremi Game Reserve, easily accessible to self-driving (4 x 4 only) guests
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From Moremi South Gate, follow the sign post straight to Xakanaxa through the Mopane forest (42km). Drive straight at the junction after the Wildlife office (sign posted) to Xakanaxa boat station.
GENERAL TRAVEL INORMATION
Weather
The climate in Botswana brings very hot, dry periods (September, October), and also very wet seasons (December-February). Winter (June, July, August) packs cold nights and mild, dry days, while November to February is hot and wet.
Temperatures in summer soar as high as 40°C bringing warm nights and humidity levels fluctuating between 50% and 80%. The average annual rainfall is 450mm and most of it falls between December and March in the form of heavy afternoon thunderstorms. In contrast, the winter nights can drop to barely above freezing in the Delta and the desert, although daytime temperatures at this time of year are mild to warm. -
What to Pack+The climate in Botswana brings very hot, dry periods and also very wet seasons. Winter (June, July, August) packs cold nights and mild, dry days. Depending on what time of year you travel, you will need certain essentials.
- Throughout the year, we recommend packing lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing with short sleeves
- Bring sun protection in the form of sunblock, sun hats, and glasses.
- Scarfs, jackets and gloves are needed for early mornings on the boat, especially in winter.
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as is sun protection in the form of hats, sunglasses and sun block.
- Bring along cameras, binoculars and recording gadgets to keep a record of the many wildlife sightings.
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IMAGE GALLERY
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