Located on Paradise Island within Moremi Game Reserve, Xigera underwent a complete transformation in 2020 when it was taken over by the Red Carnation Hotels group and rebuilt from the ground up. The result is one of the most luxurious and design-forward lodges in all of Botswana. With just twelve individually styled suites plus one family unit, the camp accommodates a maximum of twenty-eight guests in what feels more like a contemporary art gallery than a traditional safari camp. The name Xigera – pronounced "kee-jera" – means pied kingfisher in the local language, and the lodge sits surrounded by permanent water channels and lush riverine forest in the heart of the Delta.
What really sets Xigera apart is its extraordinary collection of pan-African art and design. Over eighty of Africa's most acclaimed artists and craftspeople contributed to the lodge, creating bespoke furniture, sculptures, and ceramics over an eighteen-month period. Every piece tells a story about the continent's rich creative heritage, making the whole property feel like a living gallery. The philosophy here is "anything, any time" – ultimate flexibility for guests to shape their experience exactly as they desire. Beyond standard game drives and mokoro excursions, Xigera offers unique experiences like overnight stays in the Baobab Treehouse located a kilometer from the main lodge, helicopter safaris, and guided art tours through the property.
The lodge is entirely solar-powered and runs without plastic, reflecting a commitment to sustainability that doesn't compromise on luxury. There's a state-of-the-art gym, full spa with treatment rooms, an air-conditioned library, and even yoga sessions. The area is particularly known for predator sightings and has the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope in the Delta.
