www.botswanawildlife.com
General
Nxamaseri Island Lodge - one of the first lodges to be established in the Okavango Delta - is situated on a shady island overlooking the secluded Nxamaseri channel in the northern Panhandle.Located just 40km from Shakawe and 330km from Maun on tarred road, the Lodge is easily accessible - a boat transfer from just off the main road will be arranged by the Lodge.
What to see and do
Nxamaseri's main attractions are the stunning birdlife and good fishing of the upper Panhandle area although many people come just to enjoy the peace and tranquillity on offer.
Boat Trips
From early morning excursions to sundowners, boat trips along the waterways of the Panhandle are a relaxing way of experiencing the Delta. The experienced guides take delight in showing you this watery world and will arrange boat trips to suit your interests and schedule.
Fishing
The Panhandle offers some of the best fishing in Botswana with numerous fish species found here including the sought after Tiger fish. Fishing here is generally on a 'catch and release' basis however if you want to you can take your catch back to the Lodge and the chef will prepare and cook it for you as a tasty meal.
Nature Walks
The tree covered islands of the Delta can be explored on foot giving you the opportunity of seeing some of the more elusive bird species, such as Pel's Fishing Owl and Western Banded Snake-Eagle, as well as learning about the fascinating flora that is found here.
Tsodilo Hills
Day trips to the nearby Tsodilo Hills are offered as an optional extra and could be worth doing if you have the time. The journey to the hills takes about an hour giving you plenty of time to explore the hills, accompanied by a local guide from the village.
Wildlife
The Panhandle area has few wild animals due to the popularity of cattle farming in the Western Delta although Elephant are frequently seen
during the drier months of the year. Vervet Monkeys are resident on the island whilst Hippo and Crocodile are regularly seen along the main
channel of the Okavango.
The upper Panhandle area of Okavango is well-known for its abundant birdlife with numerous waterbirds seen here including Green-backed Heron, Slaty Egret, Lesser Jacana and Rufous-bellied Heron to name a few. There are a number of sandbanks which attract Malachite, Pied and Halfcollared Kingfishers as well as White-fronted and Carmine Bee-eaters during the breeding season. African Fish Eagles are common and the woodland around the Lodge provides habitat for numerous Babblers, Robin-chats, Warblers and Starlings.
Accommodation
The six en-suite, thatched chalets - linked together by wooden walkways - each have their own deck area and are open at the front which gives you the feeling of being close to nature. There are good mosquito nets in the rooms which also have electric lights and sockets powered by a generator which is switched off at night.The main dining and bar area is pleasantly situated overlooking the channel and features a comfortable seating area with a well-stocked library.
Further Information
For organised self-drive safaris throughout Botswana contact:
DriveBotswana
P.O Box 10937
Palapye
Tel: (+267) 4923416
www.drivebotswana.com
