Eagle Island Camp Botswana

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Botswana Accommodation

Email Eagle Island Camp enquiries and reservations: eagleisland@madbookings.com

The Tents

All luxury tents at Eagle Island Camp 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.

Private Suite

Eagle Island Camp has an exclusive private suite, perfect for a more intimate safari experience. The naturally stunning private suite with a spacious secluded deck area is set away from the other tents in the camp.

The extended viewing deck has two relaxing sun loungers, perfect for basking in the warm African sun. To the side, a generous heated splash pool which is set amongst the trees for shade and privacy, yet with full views of the Delta allows one to wallow in communion with the hippos whilst spotting elephant and crocodiles on the island banks.

The open air double showers and beautiful deep copper-framed Victorian bath, with only the tree canopy as a roof, offers further opportunities to commune with nature. Guests enjoying the luxurious new suite will have the opportunity to enjoy game-viewing on their own exclusive vehicle with their own personal guide, and they will be able to set out on a safari expedition as and when they wish.

Choose an elegant candle-lit dinner on the private outdoor deck (additional rates apply). Among the many other suite indulgences available in the suite include temperature controlled rooms, a well-stocked mini bar, oversized fluffy bathrobes, big soft bath sheets, cosy slippers and luxurious bathroom toiletries.

Activities

Helicopter Safaris

Sweeping landscapes, herds on the move.

The propellers hum into action and suddenly a vast, green panorama opens up below. This is the Okavango Delta as you have never experienced it before: remote, inaccessible lakes and islands seen from the sky.

Your pilot’s voice is coming through on the headset. “Look to the right where a herd of buffalos is crossing the river. We’re going down for a close-up view.” Next, you’re soaring up again. “We’re heading to a higher altitude. See the formation of the channels and the way in which the water and land mass has evolved.”

Helicopter flights over Botswana are one of life’s big adventures. Hunting has rarely been done from above and therefore animals are unperturbed by aircraft. Surprisingly, you may hover just a few feet over great herds of zebra as they continue to graze, completely unconcerned.

Even more exciting, you may be able to touch down on an island far away from human habitation and stand in a spot that for thousands of years has been cut off from the world beyond. A speed boat may appear bearing coffee or a celebratory glass of sparkling wine: sip at leisure as you gaze on lush, riverine scenery—one of the world’s last wildernesses. This 45-minute trip is packed with 45 hours’ worth of thrills.

Mokoro Canoe Safari

Slowly, silently through a watery world.

This traditional dugout canoe takes you gliding over shallow, clear waters past brilliant water lilies and papyrus grasses to areas inaccessible by boat. Climb aboard and stretch out, with your body just above the water line. Listen to the gentle, rhythmic splash as you are poled along and then attune your ears to other sounds. Long reed frogs will be out enjoying the sun: tiny as your fingertip, they emit extraordinarily loud croaks that resemble Oriental wind chimes.

Spiders spin glistening webs above the water; luminous dragonflies hover with whirring wings; game such as red lechwe antelope, reed bucks and giraffes come to drink. But for many it is the birds of this ornithological paradise that dazzle. Stately egrets, storks, cormorants and even fishing eagles swoop overhead. But for colour and dash the magnificent malachite kingfisher steals the show.

Fishing

Amazing landscapes, the thrill of the chase.

Set off by boat in the stillness of the morning, gliding out into the lagoon…a fishing trip is all about the experience. Relax, absorb the scenery, watch wildlife and birds all around, enjoy a drink….oh, and with a trained fisherman guide at your side, you are highly likely to make a catch. The waters are rich with tilapia, while spotted and silver catfish also inhabit these lazy pools. African pike, infamous fighters, are a favourite snare. If you have never fished before, this is the ultimate place to start.

Please note: By law, fish are protected by a catch and release system.

Game Drives

A wealth of habitats and wildlife

It’s dark outside as a cup of steaming coffee and a freshly-baked pastry is brought to your tent. The first rays of sun are sneaking over the horizon as you then set out in a 4 x 4 vehicle with your guide.

Early morning game drives take you out and among an almost unparalleled diversity of wildlife, passing through a range of different habitats. Expect to see a huge range of creatures, from big cats to hippo, giraffe and crocodiles.
Equally atmospheric and exciting are evening drives, as the shadows lengthen and the sky turns red. Animals and birds emerge from their siesta, and suddenly the bush is alive with sights and sounds.

Finish your day as the sun sinks down beyond a glassy lagoon and you are handed an ice-cold drink. Return as the first stars start to shine—when the chance for unusual encounters is at its most intense.

Village Life

Ancient traditions, modern times.

Eagle Island Camp is positioned close to Xaxaba village. Fortunate visitors may be invited into a private home to experience aspects of its residents’ way of life. This is no tourist attraction, but a community of people who have adapted ancient traditions to modern times. Former hunter-gatherers who do not grow crops, many of the men now work as drivers.

There are no modern communications, electricity, a school or a health centre. Instead, you may step inside a dwelling and be introduced to a traditional healer who crushes herbs, roots and other local ingredients into medicines for minor ailments.

Many women practice crafts such as basket weaving. Working with dried leaves and dyes such as the deep black pigment of the toothbrush tree root, they transform these humble ingredients into beautiful pieces of intricate artistry

Bird Watching

400 species on the wing.

Many people come to Eagle Island purely to experience its huge variety of birds. The 400 land and aquatic species drawn by the watery Okavango Delta make for unrivalled viewing.

Not only is there the chance of sighting a Pel’s fishing owl, a Goliath heron or fish eagle swooping down to snare their prey, but there are many delightful smaller birds such as the lilac-breasted roller and exquisite malachite kingfisher. The endangered wattled crane is also spotted here: unusually, flocks up to 200-strong have been recorded.

There is no better way to experience birds on the wing than to lie back in a mokoro dug-out canoe and to watch them wheeling overhead as you silently glide through the reeds.

Walking Safari

See, touch, smell, hear nature close up.

On a walking safari through the delta you are totally enveloped in nature. You spot amazing things close-up: an insect, animal tracks, big game droppings, swarming termite mounds. These small, unexpected aspects of life often make the biggest impression. If a game drive is like reading a book: a walking safari is actually becoming a character in that book.

Set out early in the morning into open grassland shaded by tall mangosteen and palm trees. Stay alert and you soon become attuned to details including the faint sounds animals hidden in the trees. There is nothing quite like being able to touch, hear, smell and even taste nature all around. The scents of wild herbs are intoxicating: sage, basil, purple pod weed—all fresh and far from city fumes.

Always follow the safety instructions: remember, this is Africa at its most untamed and raw. No matter what you encounter, never run. Follow the pace of the slowest person and proceed in a row like a train. Groups are limited to six persons and a guide with a two-way radio.

You might spot zebra, giraffe, crocodile, impala and even get the incredible adrenaline rush of sighting an elephant or lion. But don’t be scared.

As they say at the camp “If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you”. Bird-spotting is superb: bring along binoculars and prepare to be amazed by the variety of species swooping and diving all around.

How to get there

Eagle Island Camp has its own private licensed airstrip, co-ordinates 19 32 43.83 S – 23 02 55.58 E. The best way to Eagle Island Camp is via Maun which is accessible by scheduled, daily flights from Johannesburg.

Eagle Island Camp is also accessible from Livingstone, Zambia and Kasane, Northern Botswana. Access from Maun, Livingstone and Kasane is all by shared charter aircraft operated by our air partner, Mack Air.

All aircraft used by Mack Air are single-engine.

Private charters are available on request.

Flying Times
From Maun: 20 mins
From Kasane: 1 hour 40 mins
From Livingstone: 2 hours

Email Eagle Island Camp enquiries and reservations: eagleisland@madbookings.com