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 lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the Delta.
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.
The camp offers game viewing activities in the morning and late afternoons. 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.
A 'Naturally Wild' range of exclusive services have been designed to enhance your experiences at the luxury camps – these include private scenic game-viewing flights over the miraculous Okavango Delta, private excursions to secret islands, intimate romantic dinners on your own tent deck and indulgent massages and body wraps surrounded by the pristine Botswana wilderness.
Bird watching at Eagle Island Camp:
This would be the highlight of any birders trip as this is truly a birders destination. Eagle Island boasts almost 400 bird species and has by far more specials than the other two camps put together.
As the name suggests this is a water camp and during times when the flood that fills the Okavango Delta is good then the camp is totally cut off from the mainland. The water birds here are out of this world; specials include regular sightings of the infamous Pel's Fishing Owl, Black Coucal, Long Toed Plovers, Brown Fire Finches and a whole host of other specials. Wattled Cranes are also a big feature with flocks of up to 200 have been recorded.
A three night stay at Eagle Island Camp is recommended to take in all the beauty and wildlife in the area.
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.
Eagle Island Camp Xaxaba is one of the Delta's most pristine natural locations, a region of myriad waterways, palm-tree covered islands and vast flood plains.
Built to blend into its environment, the camps afford guests with a peaceful setting perfect for enjoying the sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta.
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.
The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland water systems, the only inland delta of its kind and a unique oasis of life in the centre of the Kalahari Desert. It stretches over 16,000 square km and supports a staggering variety of animal, plant, fish and birdlife.
The water was once thought to have reached the sea, but this is no longer the case. After a series of tectonic uplifts and earthquakes running along geological fault lines, the land at the edge of the Delta now lies lower than that of the surrounding area. Hence the water very rarely flows further South than Maun.
Once the rains begin, around November, the floodwater begins its 250km journey downstream from the Angolan highlands towards Maun. Because of the gentle slope of the Okavango Delta floor (1: 36,000) the floods take approximately six months to travel to their eventual destination.
The hottest month is October with mean maximum temperatures of 350C.
The coldest months are June and July with a mean minimum of 60C.
The rains usually fall between November and April with the heaviest downpours occurring in January and February.
The Okavango Delta consists of a multitude of main channels, smaller tributaries and lagoons as well as floodplains, islands and mainland areas. The watercourses are constantly changing due to annual flooding as well as a combination of sediment transport, seismic activity, the construction of termite mounds, and the continual opening up of new channels by feeding hippopotami and the closing of others by new vegetation growth.
There are two fairly distinct areas of the Okavango Delta - the permanent swamp, which is inundated with water all year round, and the seasonal swamp, which is flooded annually and dries gradually with the onset of summer.
The vegetation of the permanent swamp includes groves of wild date palm, swathes of papyrus, islands fringed with forest and lagoons covered with floating water lillies.
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.
Facilities include:
• Individual gas geysers
• 'His and hers' vanity unit
• Private viewing deck
• Outside lounge, with hammock and ceiling fan
• Air conditioning
• Mini-bars
• In-room safes
• Hair dryers
• Electric overhead fan (24 hour use)
• 110v/220v plugs for electric razors
• Facilities for charging video batteries
• 24 hour DC battery lighting in guest rooms
• Intercom system to reception
Facilities
• 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
• Off site bush dining venue
Although we consider the water to be safe to drink, flasks and coolers are provided in the rooms and bar areas. |
