Nxamaseri Island Lodge

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Lodge · Okavango Delta

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.

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From $1,290 per person sharing, per night

From, per person · night$1,290
AvailabilityLive

Live availability

Nxamaseri Island Lodge

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.

You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge

The same as booking direct

Rates and dates.

Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.

Valid until 5 Jan 2027

Show prices in

Green season

1 May 2026 – 31 Oct 2026

All-Inclusive - All meals, refreshments, local spirits and wines (excluding premium brands), scheduled activities

Included. Complimentary travel insurance, with cancellation cover of up to $5,000 per person, on bookings paid by 25th September 2026. Details

$1,290

per person · night

Shoulder

1 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027

All-Inclusive - All meals, refreshments, local spirits and wines (excluding premium brands), scheduled activities

Included. Complimentary travel insurance, with cancellation cover of up to $5,000 per person, on bookings paid by 25th September 2026. Details

$990

per person · night

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.

Current offers

Special offer available.

Stay & Pay

Itineraries of eight nights or more booked as a Best of Desert & Delta journey including Nxamaseri Island Lodge receive a complimentary night, effectively stay eight, pay seven. This applies all year round to eight, nine and ten night itineraries, which must run consecutively, and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotional rates.

Long stay

Reduced nightly rates apply automatically to longer stays, with lower per-person rates for five to six nights and lower again for seven nights or more. Nxamaseri may also be combined with other Desert & Delta lodges on multi-lodge itineraries, including a set six-night Green season journey across two lodges routed Maun to Maun during 6 January to 31 March, and Best of Desert & Delta itineraries of three to ten nights; ten-night itineraries including Nxamaseri also receive a complimentary helicopter scenic flight. All multi-lodge itineraries must run consecutively, may not be split to add a further property, and package rates cannot be combined with other discounts.

Family

Ultimate Family Safari itineraries including Nxamaseri offer reduced package rates for children aged 6 to 11 and 12 to 15, with accommodation in a family room subject to availability, a dedicated family host at each camp, adapted in-camp activities and a safari activity bag for children aged 6 to 15. A minimum of three family members must travel together, children must be aged 6 or over, and those under 16 share with an adult where family or triple rooms are not booked. Camps must be visited consecutively, a private activity supplement is added to every booking, and these rates cannot be combined with other discounts; child reductions are not available on other package types.

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, 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+
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.
Family rooms
Family unit available.
Care
Kids' programme
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.

Your specialist for this lodge

Jolene Welsh

Jolene Welsh

Safari Specialist - Southern Africa

Knows Nxamaseri Island Lodge backwards. Your direct contact from first enquiry to the day you come home.

Sara Van CoilliePascal John

With Sara and Pascal across the team.

"Booked an 11-day tour starting and finishing in Johannesburg and including Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta. The service from Cearl was very professional with numerous options discussed before settling on the final version. Prices seemed to be very reasonable."
April 2026 · United Kingdom · with Cearl Marney · Verified on Trustpilot ↗

Speak to a safari specialist

Let's design your stay.

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.

Example: 14–21 Nov 2027 · 2 adults · departing NYC · Big Five focus.

A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours. Your details stay private. View our privacy policy.

Planning something beyond the ordinary?

Private & bespoke travel

Plan a safari

Begin your adventure with us.

Five short steps. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.

Included

Complimentary travel insurance. Cancellation cover of up to $5,000 per person, on bookings paid by 25th September 2026.

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