Nxamaseri Island Lodge

Nxamaseri Island Lodge sits on a large, shaded island in the Nxamaseri waterways, in the permanent swamp of the Okavango Delta's panhandle region. It is one of the oldest lodges in the Delta. PJ and Barney Bestelink established the lodge in the early 1980s, and PJ, an experienced guide, chose the Nxamaseri Channel for its scenery and seclusion. The design reflects the surrounding swamp and the indigenous culture of the area. Chalets stand under a forest canopy and connect to the main area by raised teak walkways. The lodge works well for self-drive travelers and for those traveling between Namibia and Victoria Falls. Activities focus on the water, with boating, mokoro trips, and tiger fishing, plus cultural visits to the Tsodilo Hills, a site sacred to the San people.

Rooms & Suites
Accommodation is in chalets built on raised teak decks under indigenous forest, each with a private viewing deck and an open seating area. Rooms are cooled by fans and do not have air conditioning. Electricity runs 24 hours a day from a battery bank, and each chalet has multi-adaptor plugs for charging cameras and other devices. Each room has a small passcode safe. The en-suite bathroom has a shower, hand basin, and toilet, with biodegradable soaps and shower gels. Staff provide evening turndown and hot water bottles on cool nights.

Hotel Amenities & Facilities
The main area has a lounge with seating and a selection of books, along with a campfire on the main deck that looks out over the panhandle. Meals are served buffet style as three courses in the outdoor dining area, and private dining is available on request. The lodge has a fully stocked bar, a secluded swimming pool, and a curio shop that accepts cash and credit cards. Daily laundry service is included. Drinking water comes from an on-site reverse osmosis plant, and bottled water is available on request. Limited Wi-Fi is available by satellite, though a constant connection is not guaranteed. There is no landline telephone, and a satellite phone and radio are kept for emergencies only. A safe is also available at reception. The lodge welcomes children aged 6 and older.