Nxamaseri Island Lodge

Tigerfishing - Lure and Fly Fishing

Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a unique African experience on a private island in the permanent waters of Botswana’s Okavango Panhandle. The Lodge is regarded as the premier fly fishing destination in Botswana. Tigerfishing, birding, and peaceful, riverside lodge with a personal touch. We have hosted several trips here.

Fishing the Okavango Delta

Species: Fish the deep waters of the Okavango Delta for tigerfish, catfish, bream, three- spot bream, Nembwe, thin-faced largemouth, and the sharptooth catfish.
Tigerfish: Like the piranha, tigerfish have interlocking, razor-sharp teeth, along with streamlined, muscular bodies, and are widely known to be extremely aggressive and capable predators who often hunt in groups. Tigerfish are one of the strongest fighters, pound-for-pound. They attack from the side at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, then turn the bait around and swallow it headfirst. The tigerfish’s ability to bite through a lure with its razor-sharp teeth makes them an extremely exciting fish to catch.
Methods: At Nxamaseri, fly fishing, spin, and lure methods are employed.

Fishing Facts:

2024 Season: The Lodge is closed from January 5 through March 31, due to the closure of the fishing season throughout Botswana.
Fishing: Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a prime destination for lure and fly fishing from June through December.
Season: The optimum time to fish for tigerfish is during the annual catfish (barbel) runs. Although the exact time of the catfish runs differs from year to year, they generally run from early September to mid-November. Lure fishing is throughout the year, while fly fishing is deemed best when the waters are low.
Boats: The Lodge has four 16' to 22' aluminum boats that are wide and stable with flat decks.
Guides: Local, English-speaking guides trained in fly and lure fishing.
Equipment: They suggest that all anglers bring their own equipment. A detailed equipment and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing Licenses: are included in the package.

Eric Schoenborn with a Tigerfish

Typical Fishing Day:
8:00 a.m., breakfast.
9:00 a.m., you'll leave for the river with your guide.
1:30 p.m., enjoy a riverside lunch.
After lunch, you can enjoy a siesta or a cup of coffee or tea with some freshly baked cookies. Then, your guide will drive you to your next fishing spot.
6:30 p.m., you’ll finish fishing and return to the Lodge.
7:30 p.m. is cocktail hour and wines served with cold cuts, a variety of cheeses.
8:00 p.m., a three-course dinner is served. You'll enjoy coffee, tea, or a digestif (post-dinner liquor) at the bar in the living room.
We've hosted several trips at Nxamaseri Lodge.

Nxamaseri, a small exclusive lodge, is remote, rustic, and one of the oldest in the Delta. The Lodge has five standard chalets, a honeymoon chalet, and a large chalet ideal for families with a double bed and two twin beds. Teak walkways link the thatched-roofed chalets to the main Lodge area. The Lodge hosts up to 16 guests. Each chalet has a private deck with views. The rooms have an open wall to the outside and a river view. There are no outlets in the room, so if you require a C-Pap machine, this Lodge is not a good choice. There is no air-conditioning. Fans are available. Quiet and peaceful, the Lodge has a small swimming pool.
Communications: Limited Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is via remote satellite link up and constant connectivity is not guaranteed. The Lodge has a satellite phone and radio for emergencies.

Dining Room Area

Buffet-style three-course meals are served in the open dining area. Private dining is available on request.

Comfortable Lounge Area

Five Standard Room Chalets

Beautifully Decorated Open Room Overlooking the Delta

Honeymoon Chalet

Non-Angler Activities: The Lodge offers guided birding trips, plus day trips to view the ancient San paintings at the magical Tsodilo Hills.
Birding: The Nxamaseri area of the Delta panhandle features approximately 325 of the 500 bird species found in Botswana, and on a 3 to 4-day trip, guests can expect to see between 190 and 220 species. The most exceptional birding months are September to February, before the new water arrives. Feeding conditions are at an optimum at this time, and most migrants are present.
Wildlife: The river channels abound with water lilies, fish, and wildlife such as crocs, hippos, otters, and swamp antelope.
Insects: Bugs are present but not a bother.

Getting Here:

Direct flights on South African Airways depart daily from JFK New York or Dulles airport. Flights are also available on Delta Airlines, which depart from the Atlanta airport. Flight duration is about 14 to 18-hours. You’ll need to spend the night in Johannesburg; the hotel night is not included in the package. The following morning, you’ll take a two-hour commercial flight from Johannesburg to Maun, Botswana, where a Safari Air representative will greet you at the airport for your 50-minute charter flight to Nxamaseri Island Lodge. Nxamaseri has its own grass runway within a few miles of the Lodge. From the Nxamaseri airstrip, you’ll take a ten-minute boat ride to the Lodge. During the flood season - from May to September, there is no access to Nxamaseri Island by vehicle or foot. During this time, guests are transferred from the airstrip or car park by boat to the Lodge.

2024 USD Rates

Peak Season: June 1 - October 31, 2024:
5-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $5,220.00 per person
One guest per room:   $7,250.00 per person
6-nights and 7-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $6,264.00 per person
One guest per room:   $8,700.00 per person
7-nights and 8-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $7,063.00 per person
One guest per room:   $9,905.00 per person

Shoulder Season: April - May 31, and November 2024:
5-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $4,030.00 per person
One guest per room:   $6,060.00 per person
6-nights and 7-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $4,836.00 per person
One guest per room:   $7,272.00 per person
7-nights and 8-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $5,453.00 per person
One guest per room:   $8,295.00 per person

Low Season: January 1 - March 31 and December 2024:
5-nights and 6-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $2,905.00 per person
One guest per room:   $4,935.00 per person
6-nights and 7-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $3,486.00 per person
One guest per room:   $5,922.00 per person
7-nights and 8-days guided fishing
Two guests per room: $3,927.00 per person
One guest per room:   $6,769.00 per person

Children: Children: Children between the ages of 12-15 years of age are 75% of the adult rate. Children between the ages of 6-11 are 50% of the adult rate. All children under the age of 16 must share a room with an adult. No children under the age of 6 are permitted at the Lodge. A private activity surcharge applies per package when bringing children between the ages of 6 and 15.

Combo Packages: Several Combo package options with other Lodges are available, although Nxamaseri is regarded as the best fishing option. Request an Information Packet for full details.

Packages Include:

• Boat transfer between main road and the Lodge
• Lodging at Nxamaseri Island Lodge
• All meals at the Lodge
• All scheduled lodge-based activities
(Guided fishing excursions, boating safaris, guided island walks
• Snacks and drinks during all activities
• Alcohol, excluding premium brands
• Daily laundry service
• Limited Wi-Fi
• Park entrance fees
• Government levies, local taxes, and 14% value-added tax (VAT)

Packages Do Not Include:

• International flight to Johannesburg, and return
• Overnight hotel stay in Johannesburg
• Domestic flight from Johannesburg to Maun, and return
• Safari Air flight between Maun and Nxamaseri, $416.00 one-way per person
• Premium imported beverages
• Fishing equipment
• Lost lure fee, approx.$10.00 per lure
• Curio purchases
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Optional excursions
• Airport taxes for the flight between Maun and Nxamaseri, $20.00 each way per person
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.