Lodge
Nxamaseri Island Lodge
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Nxamaseri Island Lodge
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Nxamaseri Island Lodge
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About the lodge
An overview of Nxamaseri Island Lodge.
Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a unique African experience on a private island in the permanent waters of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. A small, exclusive lodge, it is one of the oldest in the Okavango Delta.
Highlights
- Unique African safari experience on a private island in the permanent waters of the Okavango Panhandle
- Unrivaled water bird viewing
- The lodge specializes in water and cultural activities
You Should Know
- Children aged 6 years and older are welcome at the lodge
The Detail
The distinct style of Nxamaseri Island Lodge showcases the beauty of the permanent swamp that is its home and subtly expresses the rich vibrancy of the indigenous people.
It was established in the early 1980s by PJ and Barney Bestelink. PJ, an experienced guide, spent months exploring the permanent water channels of the delta in search of a perfect location for his home and camp. He favored the Nxamaseri Channel for its beauty and seclusion, eventually choosing to build his lodge on a large shady island hidden in the Nxamaseri waterways.
Locally inspired, Nxamaseri Island Lodge celebrates the colorful vibrancy of Botswana's culture. Guests can enjoy incredible views of the panhandle from the lounge area, which features comfortable seating and a collection of good books to browse.
Nxamaseri is a secluded lodge with a total of nine chalets, all nestled beneath the forest canopy. Each chalet is privately situated on its own teak deck. Bedrooms are quiet havens, with open access to a seating area on a private deck. Each evening, guests’ beds are turned down, and during cooler nights, hot water bottles are tucked under the blankets as a warm and welcoming surprise for tired travelers. A safe is provided in each room and at the reception for guests’ valuables.
The traditional method of transport along the waterways and over floodplains in Botswana is by mokoro (dug-out canoe). There is no better way to experience the stillness and beauty of the Okavango Delta than to be poled silently on the water, gliding just inches above the crystal-clear surface. You'll be at eye level with dragonflies, reed frogs, and water lilies, and within touching distance of the myriad of colorful fish that swim just below the surface.
Price Includes
- Accommodation, scheduled activities, all meals, refreshments, local spirits, wines (excluding premium brands), and laundry service.
- Our rates are per person sharing unless stated otherwise.
- Single supplements may apply.
- Request a quote or speak to one of our agents for the best and most current rates available.
The same as booking direct
Rates and pricing.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 5 Jan 2027
Why book through us
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup. What you get on top is a specialist who knows Nxamaseri Island Lodge personally, looks after every detail of the trip, and stays reachable on WhatsApp from the moment you enquire to the day you come home.
By season
Green season
1 May 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
All-Inclusive - All meals, refreshments, local spirits and wines (excluding premium brands), scheduled activities
$1,290
Shoulder
1 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027
All-Inclusive - All meals, refreshments, local spirits and wines (excluding premium brands), scheduled activities
$990
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Exclusive offer
Available right now.
Stay & Pay
Stay for 4 nights or more and receive a discounted rate with the Best of Desert & Delta Safari packages
Honeymoon offer
For couples celebrating a wedding.
Documented from Desert & Delta Safaris's 2026 rate sheet. A formal offer you can claim, not marketing language.
10 Night Honeymoon Package – Four Lodges
Dedicated honeymoon package pricing across three seasons: Green USD 8,256 pp. Shoulder USD 11,056 pp. Peak USD 14,016 pp (RSR); Green USD 6,451 pp. Shoulder USD 8,511 pp. Peak USD 10,711 pp. Package covers 10 nights across four lodges including 2 nights at Nxamaseri Island Lodge.
Desert & Delta Safaris offers a 10-night honeymoon circuit package for two guests (per person sharing) routing between Maun and Kasane. The circuit includes Chobe Game Lodge (3 nights), Sediba Sa Rona (3 nights), Leroo La Tau (2 nights), and Nxamaseri Island Lodge (2 nights), or vice versa. Two rate sheets are available: a Recommended Selling Rate (RSR) and a. RSR prices for 2026 range from USD 8,256 pp (Green: 6 Jan–Mar) to USD 11,056 pp (Shoulder: Apr & Nov–5 Jan 2027) to USD 14,016 pp (Peak: May–Oct). The corresponding are USD 6,451. USD 8,511. USD 10,711 pp respectively.
- Minimum stay
- 10 nights
- Valid
- 6 January 2026 – 5 January 2027
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Terms and eligibility may change. Your specialist confirms all offers at the time of booking.
Family policies
Travelling with children.
What our safari specialists know about bringing children to Nxamaseri Island Lodge: minimum ages, activities, family rooms and child rates, current as of May 2026. They plan family trips here all the time, so anything below that needs arranging, they will sort. For the bigger picture, see our guide to safari with children .
Minimum ages
- Stay
- 6+
- Game drives
- 6+
- Walking safari
- 12+
Programmes & care
Kids' programme
Accommodation
Family unit available.
Child rates
Children 6–11 years pay 50% of the adult rate; 12–15 years pay 75%; 16+ pay the adult rate. Children under 16 must share with a parent at all times.
Notable exceptions
- Minimum age for the lodge is 6 years. Families travelling with children younger than 12 must book a private activity vehicle at the daily private activity rate. The Ultimate Family Safari (UFS) package — which includes a dedicated family host, a Safari Activity Bag for children aged 6–15 and adapted in-camp activities (basket weaving, spoor tracking, bird ID, back-of-house eco tour) — is available to children aged 6 and older and includes accommodation in a family room subject to availability. Children under 16 must share with an adult if family/triple rooms are not booked. No childcare facilities or babysitters are available; children must be under parental/guardian care at all times. To ensure guest safety, management reserves the right to amend walking and mokoro activities at the discretion of Camp Management and Guides. Misrepresentation of a child's age may result in termination of stay without refund.
Sleep-outs
Under the stars.
Star beds, sleep-out hides, walking sleep-outs and overnight platforms documented at Nxamaseri Island Lodge.
Fly-camp overnight
Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out Expedition (Complimentary)
Guests staying three or more nights at Nxamaseri Island Lodge may book a complimentary Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out expedition. This overnight experience takes guests out to the ancient Tsodilo Hills, where they can discover Bushman rock paintings, walk through unique Kalahari terrain and arid vegetation, and spend a night under the stars. Valid all year round for up to 8 guests. A private sleep-out is also available on request at a US$1,500 surcharge.
Minimum stay: 3 nights at Nxamaseri Island Lodge. Maximum group size: 8 guests. Valid all year round. Complimentary for qualifying stays. Private sleep-out surcharge: US$1,500. Available as an optional add-on for birding and other itineraries. Includes driving across Kalahari terrain and walking through the hills.
- Cost
- complimentary (private sleep-out surcharge US$1,500.00)
- Availability
- valid all year round; subject to availability; advance booking required; private sleep-outs available on request
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Water safari
Out on the water.
Mokoro, canoe, kayak and boat options at Nxamaseri Island Lodge. The silent dugout mokoro is a different product to a motorised sundowner cruise — check the category on each.
Mokoro
Mokoro Activities
Nxamaseri Island Lodge offers mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) activities as part of its scheduled experiences in the Okavango Panhandle. Camp management and guides reserve the right to amend these activities for safety reasons, particularly for families with young children.
Children under 12 years must be booked on private activities to participate. Activity amendments may be made at the discretion of Camp Management and Guides.
- Availability
- Subject to availability; families with children under 12 must book private activities at additional charge
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Cultural
Beyond the game drive.
Community visits, cultural walks, and dining experiences documented at Nxamaseri Island Lodge.
Cultural experience
Tsodilo Hills Rock Art Excursion
An optional half-day add-on excursion from Nxamaseri Island Lodge to visit Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient San rock art — one of the most significant collections of prehistoric rock paintings in the world.
Half-day duration. Add-on excursion. Additional costs apply.
- Availability
- subject to availability
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Imagery
A closer look.
12 photographs · click any image to expand
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your dream safari at Nxamaseri Island Lodge.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Nxamaseri Island Lodge: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Ready when you are
Let's design your stay.
Your specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours with availability, exact pricing, and suggestions for what to combine it with.