Combine the unparalleled beauty of the Okavango Delta with pure luxury and an aesthetic for both to live together symbiotically, and what you have is Xigera.
The lodge, pronounced ‘Kee-jera’, is situated in Botswana’s unspoilt wilderness on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. It forms part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, which also owns the luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town and the Oyster Box Hotel in Durban.
An artist impression of the luxurious Xigera.
‘A bold new statement set to pioneer a new era for the African bush,’ is how the Tollman family describe their newest addition to the group.
Xigera will be the biggest investment into a safari lodge of this size in Africa and a legacy project of the Tollman family – the renowned South African hoteliers behind the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. The lodge’s design has been conceptualised by Toni Tollman, Philip Fourie and Anton de Kock, who have collaborated with Southern Guild in a game-changing design partnership like never before.
The lodge is weeks away from completion, lockdown in Botswana halted construction, but Lodge Manager Mike Myers says they are back on track and hope to be ready and waiting on guests soon.
A date for the grand opening is yet to be decided.
During a virtual launch event of the property, media were guided with artists’ impressions and a few real time images of the expansive property. With many attractions to consider, the concept of sleepouts in a three-story steel baobab tree located 1km from the camp, a glass-bottom mokoro and and ‘feet-in-the-water’ sundowners were most impressive, and unexpected.
A bird’s eye view of the 15,000 square kilometres property.
Other features also include:
– 12 individually designed air-conditioned suites, including one two-bedroom family suite situated on two islands (children under 12 not allowed)
– A ‘living gallery’ of bespoke works commissioned exclusively for the property by Africa’s most exciting young artists
– Human-sized woven nests resting on decks for guests to nestle in
– A tranquil spa, overlooking expansive floodplains, will offer treatments and therapies by Tata Harper, exclusively in Africa
– An ever-changing fragile eco-system of 15,000 square kilometres, the Okavango Delta fans out over the Kalahari sand system, making it the 1000th Natural Wonder of the World
– A sophisticated solar hybrid power system powered by Tesla
– Morning, afternoon and evening game drives at guests’ leisure
– Explore the Delta’s waterways by traditional canoe, glass-bottom mokoro and motorboat
– Dining at Xigera will be celebratory, with delicious food inspired by Beatrice Tollman and her signature dishes.
Prolific wildlife surrounds the new lodge.
The location, concept and attention to detail is astounding. Include a passionate service team, bush veterans Mike and Marian Myers, alongside some of the most experienced guides in Botswana and you are guaranteed an experience of a lifetime. There is no doubt this is what they will deliver on, if the virtual plans are anything to go by.
For more information, you can visit their website here.
Pictures: Supplied
