DESERT & DELTA SAFARI BOTSWANA WATER LEVELS UPDATE Poor annual rainfall and low flood waters is affecting water-based safari activities across Northern Botswana. Please find an update on our properties that offer water-activities below. OKAVANGO DELTA – Xugana Island Lodge & Camp Okavango concession (NG21) Fortunately for our guests, all water based Desert & Delta Safaris Camps & Lodges offer year round water based activities. Mokoro & motorised boating activities have continued at both Camp Okavango and Xugana Island Lodge despite the low water levels. However, adjustments to these water based activities are done based on the conditions on the day. The jetty at Camp Okavango pictured above, shows significantly lower water levels in comparison to recent years. We have proactively moved the boat station to an area that has easier access to the surrounding deep water channels, which will be used until the water levels increase. OKAVANGO DELTA Moremi Game Reserve - Xakanaxa Lagoon Motorised boating activities from Camp Moremi & Camp Xakanaxa have been unaffected as the water levels in the Xakanaxa Lagoon and the surrounding deep water channels remain high. CHOBE RIVER - Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge Top image: 8 April 2017 Bottom image: 8 April 2019 Chobe River levels are considerably lower than average. Measurements of the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo (which usually pushes water into the Chobe) are approximately 4-meters lower than last year. The good news is that the Chobe Riverfront received some late rains over the weekend (40mm). Despite the lower levels, there will be no problem boating on the Chobe River from both Chobe Game Lodge & Chobe Savanna Lodge this year and wildlife sightings are extremely good. MAKGADIKGADI PANS NATIONAL PARK Boteti River - Leroo La Tau The poor rainfall has also resulted in the premature start of the zebra migration at Leroo La Tau on
DESERT & DELTA SAFARI BOTSWANA WATER LEVELS UPDATE Poor annual rainfall and low flood waters is affecting water-based safari activities across Northern Botswana. Please find an update on our properties that offer water-activities below. OKAVANGO DELTA – Xugana Island Lodge & Camp Okavango concession (NG21) Fortunately for our guests, all water based Desert & Delta Safaris Camps & Lodges
Departing Camp Okavango was an exceptional experience, with the relaxing, operatic Mokoro float, the sandbar and the motorboat run to our floating barge -- fully stocked for indulgence and a beautiful sunset on the lagoon -- awe I wish I were there now. As we sat in the midst of this body of water, we could see our newest island retreat across the glassy lagoon surface of Xugana Island Lodge and what a beauty she was. We docked on Xugana the with camp staff to greet us with their now all too familiar warmth and song as we stepped onto the island grinning from ear to ear. We now felt a bit euphoric if I can speak for the group. A water-based camp -- Xugana offers a unique and yes, authentic experience. If you are planning a trip to Botswana and want to visit Xugana Island, it would behoove you to see it in the middle of or end of your journey. People come to Africa to see the big game and Xugana may not be for you as the first destination. There's so much to enjoy though; it's up to you. One can eat dessert before the main course. Trust me; there is a lot to eat here. You are not going to go hungry and make sure you have extra notches in your belt! As we are escorted to our beautiful chalets, we were encouraged to get back outside to the warmth of the fire on the deck and enjoy serenity now and make room for another beautiful feast. "The lodge accommodates only sixteen guests in large, raised, reed and thatch lagoon-facing chalets, with en-suite facilities and private viewing decks optimally placed on the shaded fringe of the island." We emerged from our chalets and made our way back to the
Departing Camp Okavango was an exceptional experience, with the relaxing, operatic Mokoro float, the sandbar and the motorboat run to our floating barge — fully stocked for indulgence and a beautiful sunset on the lagoon — awe I wish I were there now. As we sat in the midst of this body of water, we
