XAKANAXA CAMP Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Need To Know ... CLASSIC FACTORS Xakanaxa Camp (pronounced Ka-ka-na-ka) is one of the pioneer safari camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. One of the few safari camps which can provide guests with an authentic year round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience. Offers sensational safari and birding activities - especially impressive during spring and summer when the migrant birds breed.
WHERE On the banks of the Khwai River in the heart of The Moremi Game Reserve, which is 4,871 kilometres sq in size, almost one-third of the entire Okavango Delta.
WHEN TO GO Xakanaxa camp is open all year round. The best time for game viewing is the between the months of May to October. The birding is quite spectacular between November and April. Rainfall is not heavy in the Okavango Delta.
GETTING THERE BY AIR: The closest International airport to Xakanaxa is Maun which is 140km from the camp; second closest airport is Kasane. Airlines operating scheduled flights to Botswana are Air Botswana, Air Namibia and Airlink (from mid June). There are various airlines that land at Gaborone or Livingstone in Zambia from where a charter may be organised. XAKANAXA AIRSTRIP: Commercial scheduled flights to Maun and Kasane airports are followed by a private charter flight to Xakanaxa airstrip or road transfer to the camp. The Xakanaxa airstrip is operated by The Department of Wildlife, is located 15 minutes’ drive from camp. Licensed for aircraft up to a maximum weight of 3,400kg MAUW (max all up weight) and can take aircraft Cessna 206 to Grand Caravan.
CLASSIC REPRESENTATION 14 Albany Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3QB, UK T: +44 131 476 6822 E: [email protected]
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Airstrip coordinates:S19.11.55 E23.26.37. Airstrip length: 1000m. Foreign registered aircraft are charged P 250.00 (Pula, Botswana currency) per day by The Department of Wildlife. Flight time To/from Maun: 25 minutes. Flight time To/from Kasane: 80 minutes. Flight time To/from Victoria Falls: 20 minutes (but allow time for immigration).
BY ROAD: From Maun: 40 kilometers (approx. 4 hours’ drive) from Maun on sandy roads suitable for 4WD vehicles only. From Xakanaxa Airstrip: This road transfer takes approximately 15 minutes to camp and is included in the nightly rate.
HOSTS Letsile (Lettie) Letlakane. Lettie is from Botswana and has worked for Xakanaxa for 25 years, 20 of which have been at Xakanaxa Camp. She has worked in all departments starting as head chef in 1989. She is recognised for her natural graciousness, charm and gift for conversation.
HOW EXCLUSIVE 12 luxury raised tents to accommodate a maximum of 24 guests plus a tour leader/ private guide tent.
ROOM TYPES 12 x twin bedded tents – can be arranged as single or double beds. 1 x guide/pilot tent. IN-ROOM FACILITIES All canvas, Meru-style classic luxury safari tents on raised decks. & AMENITIES En-suite facilities within tent – shower, hand basin and toilet. Fans in all guest tents. Plug points for charging equipment. Main plug points are South African, but adaptors are supplied in every tent for guests to make use of. Soap, shampoo, body lotion, shower caps and insect repellent. A hairdryer and gowns. Poncho with hood and warm lining provided in each tent for warmth/protection from rain. A large chest with a lock and key in each tent for safekeeping of large valuables. Small electronic safe for other valuables. Battery operated reading lights, desk light and bathroom mirror light at night. Outdoor water sprinkler system aids cooling in the midday heat.
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LEISURE & AMENITIES Curio shop. Swimming pool in a secluded area of the camp & plunge pool on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Grass thatched roof covering an elevated lounge, dining room, viewing deck and bar area. Evening campfire on a raised platform over the Okavango Delta with stunning views over the river.
DINING The kitchen at Xakanaxa is renowned for serving traditional safari fare with a pan- African touch. Meals are generally taken around the main dining room table, although guests wishing to dine in private can also be catered for.
ACTIVITIES Game drives in open Land Rovers with a seating capacity of 10. However only 6 /8 guests are accommodated in one vehicle at any time. Power boating available year round (3 x 8-seater boats). Short sunset mokoro trips. Xakanaxa Camp and The Moremi Game Reserve regulations do not currently permit any of the following activities: Off road driving, night drives, walking safaris and fishing. Guiding Xakanaxa Camp has 5 guides in total, all of which are from Botswana and in possession of professional guiding licenses. Guides undertake a refresher course once a year for 2-3 weeks at recognised guiding institutes. No trackers are used to accompany guides on any activities.
TOTS OR NOT Yes but only over the age of 6 years. There are no family units available therefore one child under the age of 12 years can share with 2 adults (a separate camp bed will be placed in tent). Should a family consist of two or more children, parents will need to split up and share with children in separate tents.
GIVING BACK Xakanaxa Camp is involved in responsible tourism initiatives such as Xakanaxa’s Salvinia molesta Project. The project has been very successful and Baams, one of the camps guides, continues with this ongoing process. The Salvinia molesta (Kariba weed)
project focuses on growing and releasing weevils, which feed on and destroy the alien plants. Kariba weed is an alien plant from south-east Brazil and has taken over many of Southern Africa’s waterways. The areas that were almost completely covered in this weed are now cleared. Baams continues to check for new growth in the Delta and also in waterholes within the Moremi Game Reserve. This project has already seen a large decline of this invasive plant in the entire Okavango Delta.
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Xakanaxa also supports Thari-E-Ntsho Storytellers in Maun, a charity set up to pioneer cultural tourism amongst unemployed youth and aspiring artists by showcasing and preserving Botswana’s art, culture and nature using primary and secondary medium for local and international audiences in a central location. This year, Xakanaxa will be supplying a toilet for the performance area at the property.
GOOD TO KNOW... MALARIA: Xakanaxa Camp is situated in a malaria area. It is recommended that guests take a course of anti-malaria prophylactics. Please seek medical advice as to type and duration of prophylactic. ELECTRICITY: Xakanaxa camp has a 220v generator, which runs from 05h30 to 19h00. Plug points are available in each tent and the office for charging of equipment. Bring charging unit and adaptors. DISABLED ACCESS: No. CREDIT CARDS: Visa Cards, Master Cards & American Express accepted. VISAS: Citizens from certain countries require visas, with requirements changing from time to time. Best to check in advance.
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