Eagle Island Camp, Okavango Delta

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Accommodation in South Africa » Botswana Accommodation » Botswana Game Lodges » Botswana Hotels »

DESCRIPTION:

Hidden from the world, deep within Botswana's Okavango Delta, is the paradise we call Eagle Island Camp. Situated on the island of Xaxaba and surrounded by Illala Palms, the camp overlooks a surrounding lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the Delta. The area offers exceptionally high quality wildlife viewing with prolific birdlife and mammal sightings. It is also the site of one of the most romantic bars in the world, the Fish Eagle Bar, as voted by New York Times.

The camp offers a cool retreat from the African sun and is shaded by a canopy of indigenous trees. Xaxaba is one of the Delta's most pristine natural locations, a region of myriad waterways, palm-treed islands and vast flood plains. Bird and animal life in this region is prolific. The camp offers game viewing by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), motorised boats and a 14-seater Sundowner cruiser.

For intrepid explorers with an appetite for sights and sounds of the bush, we offer guided walks. The magnificent sunsets can be enjoyed during times of high flood from the camp's most romantic Fish Eagle Bar at Eagle Island or from the raised deck overlooking the lagoon. Built to blend into its environment, with private decks overlooking the surrounding lagoon, the camps affords guests with a peaceful setting perfect for enjoying the sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta.

ACCOMMODATION:

All luxury tents are housed on raised wooden platforms, offering great views, and shaded by a traditional African thatch roof. The large private decks are furnished with easy chairs and a hammock, ideal for viewing wildlife, or for enjoying a private dinner in complete privacy. The tent interiors are luxuriously appointed with such comforts as an en suite bathroom, private fully stocked mini bar, four poster bed complete with mosquito netting, as well as a discreet air conditioning. For your convenience, in-room safes are now provided for the safekeeping of all cash, travel documents and other such articles.

DINING:

Eagle Island Camp offers: Open-air and covered dining, bar and lounge areas; Viewing deck and the fully stocked Fish Eagle Bar - an ideal venue to watch the sunset over the Delta; Camp fire and seating area and an Off site bush dining venue. Meals include: Early breakfast (served around 6am); Light brunch (served around 11am); Light snacks, tea and coffee on morning activity; Afternoon tea (served around 4pm); Drinks and snacks on afternoon activity and Dinner (served around 8pm). Although we consider the water to be safe to drink, flasks and coolers are provided in the rooms and bar areas.

ACTIVITIES:

Eagle Island Camp’s serene watery base lends itself to quiet relaxation, contemplation and reflection. If, however, you are looking for adventure and excitement then Eagle Island will not disappoint – from walking safaris on surrounding islands, where there is always the possibility of a close encounter, to mokoro and motor boat excursions around the myriad of waterways, the diversity and propensity of the wildlife will fascinate the most seasoned of travelers to Africa. During the months of November through March, when lower water levels make it possible to drive our open 4x4 vehicles off the island, guests can also enjoy the combined excitement of a game drive with water activity.

Bird and game viewing is done either from motorised boats or mokoro (traditional dugout canoes), which are poled along effortlessly and quietly through the clear waters of the Okavango.

Activities include:
» Guided game and bird walks - one of the world's premier bird-watching locations
» Trips through waterways by motorised boats (water levels permitting)
» Dugout canoes (mokoro) and dusk excursions in our 14-seater Sundowner cruiser
» Game flights in a light aircraft on request

Activities are dependent on the water levels. Activities throughout the year would typically include mekoro rides (dugout canoes), unless there is no water, and game walks. When water levels are too low for water activities, game viewing is conducted by vehicle or on foot. Between June and September when the water is high, guests can also take motorboat rides, and in the drier season, game drives.