Nxamaseri Island Lodge - Botswana

The Fishing Program

Lodge Season:  Nxamaseri Island Lodge is open for lure and fly fishing from June through December. The Lodge is closed from January 5 through March 31 due to the fishing season closure throughout Botswana.
Peak 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 ft. V-Hull aluminum boats are wide, stable, and have flat decks. You'll fish two anglers per boat and guide--with a maximum of four anglers per booking.
Guides:  Local, English-speaking guides trained in fly and lure fishing.
Equipment:  Basic fly and conventional gear is provided. Rods and reels are subject to a $150.00 loss or breakage fee per item. If you’re an avid fly angler, the Lodge recommends you bring your own equipment. There is a $25.00 lost lure fee (after the first one). Our confirmation packet includes a detailed equipment and tackle list.
A Fishing License is 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 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 are served with cold cuts and 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 Island 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 is available via remote satellite link-up, and constant connectivity is not guaranteed. The Lodge has a satellite phone and radio for emergencies.
Lodge Layout:  Click here for a PDF.

Dining Room Area

Buffet-style three-course meals are served in the open dining area. Private dining is available on request.
Alcohol:  The package includes beer, wine, and local spirits. Premium brands are an added fee. Your tab must be settled at the Lodge before departure.

Comfortable Lounge Area

Five Standard Room Chalets

Honeymoon Chalet

Wildlife and Bird Viewing

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. On a 3- to 4-day trip, guests can expect to see between 190 and 220 species. The most exceptional birding months are from September to February before the new water arrives. Feeding conditions are at an optimum at this time, and most migrants are present. 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.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge

Getting Here:

Direct flights on South African Airways depart daily from JFK New York or Dulles International Airport. Flights are also available on Delta Airlines, which departs 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.
Baggage Weight:  A 44 pound per person weight restriction is strictly enforced on the charter flights. Bags must be soft-sided and flexible.

Tigerfishing the Okavango Delta