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Activities at Nxamaseri Island Lodge
There are a variety of activities on offer at Nxamaseri. It is a birdwatchers paradise offering an average of 200 species during a 3 day trip. Nxamaseri pioneered fly-fishing in Botswana and remains Botswana’s premier fly-fishing destination. Traveling by traditional dug out canoe is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and to experience the quiet tranquility of the Okavango. It is also one of the most effective ways for serious birders to view species up close. A visit to the Tsodilo Hills is a must for people visiting Nxamaseri Island Lodge. Offering over 2000 San rock paintings it is one of Botswana’s greatest treasures and should not be missed. |
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Birding
Nxamaseri is one of the top birding destinations in Botswana offering in excess of 320 species. Exploring the waterways and channels by boat and by mokoro, or by walking the heavy canopied islands and open floodplains, guests have an exceptional birding experience. Nxamaseri’s guides will go out of their way to find unusual species and there is a good chance of viewing the rarer birds such as the slaty egret, African skimmer, western banded snake eagle, lessor jacana and wattled crane. A highlight is a boat trip at night, giving the chance to see nocturnal species such as the Pels Fishing Owl and the white backed night heron. The best season runs from end October through to end February, when all the summer migrants have arrived and the dramatic dropping of water levels has brought in the waders.
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Fishing
Nxamaseri Island Lodge pioneered fly-fishing in the Okavango in the mid 1980’s and still remains the premier fly-fishing destination in Botswana. The main focus of fishing in the delta is Tigerfish, considered one of the most exiting freshwater game fish in the world. The optimum time for catching large Tigerfish is during the annual catfish run that happens in September, October and November. However, smaller Tigerfish are present in the channel all year round. Guests are not limited to catching Tigerfish. These waterways offer up to 8 different species and provide an exciting opportunity for a variety of fishing techniques. The lodge is equipped with boats designed for fishing and provides the necessary equipment although fly-fishermen need to bring their own equipment. Nxamaseri has specialist guides boasting years of fly-fishing experience in the Okavango, available on request.
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Cultural Excursions
Nxamaseri Island lodge has always had an exceptional relationship with the communities and their vibrant culture is shown in many aspects of the lodge and the people we employ. Nxamaseri is proud to be working with the people in order to develop the area. The Nxamaseri community has strong San ancestry originating from a time when the Nxamaseri channel flowed from beneath the sacred San Hills of Tsodilo. These people are known as “River Bushmen”, descendents of the original inhabitants of the Okavango. They are largely river folk, subsisting on fish and fruits that are available throughout the year. With the dramatic flooding and receding of water every year, the people are always harvesting or fishing, either in a western or traditional manner. Our guides will walk you through what traditional life is about in the Nxamaseri Valley, by engaging you in various aspects of their lives and giving you insight into their beliefs and culture.
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Mokoro Rides
To experience the true sense of the Delta traveling by traditional dug out canoe is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and to experience the quiet tranquility of this inspirational area. Serious birders can view species up close and personal and capture the image they have always wanted. Under professional guided expertise close encounters with other local wildlife such as crocodiles and hippos can also be experienced through this tranquil activity.
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Tsodilo Hills excursion
Tsodilo Hills is one of Botswana best kept secrets. Rising up out of the arid interior, not far from the edge of the permanent water, are a series of hills, one of which forms the highest point in Botswana. These hills are a sacred and spiritual place to the San people, who believe all people came to earth from the backs of these hills, and that it remains one of the only places that the Great God can access the earth. Over 2000 rock paintings adorn Tsodilo hills, making it one of the highest concentrations of San rock art in Southern Africa. Only an hour from the hills, Nxamaseri offers day trips into the Kalahari to visit these hills and experience the ancient culture of the people who still live there, with the luxury of retuning in time for a late afternoon boat trip on the cool Nxamaseri waterways.There is an additional cost of US $ 50 per person for this excursion.
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