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.

Eric Schoenborn with a Tigerfish in the Boat

Eric Schoenborn with a Tigerfish
We've hosted several trips at Nxamaseri Lodge.

Fishing Facts:

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.
There is no fishing at the Lodge in January and February due to the closure of the fishing season throughout Botswana.
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.

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.

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.

2022 USD Rates

Peak Season - July through October:
7-nights and 8-days guided fishing
$5,565.00.00 per person
6-nights and 7-days guided fishing
$4,770.00 per person

Children: Children over 12 years of age are full price. Children between the ages of 4-11, sharing with an adult, are 50% off the adult rate. Children under the age of four upon request. Children under 16 must share a room with an adult.

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:

Transfer from the main road or Nxamaseri airstrip to Nxamaseri Island Lodge, double-occupancy lodging, limited Wi-Fi, all meals at the Lodge, snacks and drinks during all activities, local drinks (including alcoholic drinks, excluding premium brands), daily laundry service, and park entrance fees, government levies, and 14% value added tax (VAT).

Packages Do Not Include:

International and domestic flights, hotel stay in Johannesburg, flight or ground transfers between Maun and Nxamaseri Lodge, fishing equipment and tackle, lost lure fee of approx. $10.00 per lure, curio purchases, gratuities, visas, gratuities, horseback riding at Okavango Horse Safaris - can be arranged at the Lodge at an extra cost and is dependent on the competency of the rider, helicopter excursions, airport taxes, travel insurance, and anything not mentioned under inclusions. Your tab for premium beverage imports must be settled at the Lodge before departure. As of December 10, 2020, Fishing with Larry now adds a 2.5% convenience fee to all credit card transactions.