KWAI RIVER LODGE
Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango, Botswana

Introduction

Nestled on the edge of a leadwood and fig tree forest, overlooking the vast Khwai River floodplains and beyond into the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, sits the luxurious Khwai River Lodge. Khwai is renowned for its large concentrations of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife from the comfort of your own private deck. As a year round destination for wildlife, predators can regularly be seen in the area, rated as one of the most prolific in Botswana for viewing wildlife. The exceptional location of Khwai makes it’s a regular host to Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dogs. Birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors near the lodge. This is the perfect location for observing the perennial drama of the African bushveld and provides excellent birding. At Khwai River Lodge, you are close to Africa's heartbeat and at the centre of a world that has not altered since life began. You can sense this from the moment you arrive. Bush hats and desert boots, tall tales and long drinks, a past redolent of trophies and potent sundowners. For decades, as befits one of the most established game lodges in Botswana, it has hosted guests from all over the world on the safari trail.

Camp Description

Khwai River Lodge is perfectly designed to blend into the surrounding environment. 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-rooms safes are now provided for the safekeeping of all cash, travel documents and other such articles.

Game Viewing

Activities at the camp include morning and afternoon game drives in open Land Cruisers. Night spotlight game drives and star gazing presentations are also conducted after dinner. A cultural visit to a local village can also be arranged, as well as guided safari walks along the Khwai River by one of our experienced team of guides. For the more adventurous, full-day private game excursions are also available to the nearby Okavango Delta where guests also have the opportunity to experience a boat cruise. For those wishing to stay at the camp and relax, Khwai River Lodge, is equipped with a hide overlooking the Khwai floodplains, a swimming pool as well as a gym and spa facility. Guests can enjoy indulgent treatments in the facility or in the privacy of their own tent.

Bird watching at Khwai River Lodge

This camp is set on the banks of the Khwai river which during the dry months of the year is the only source of permanent water in the whole area. This area is most famous for its raptor populations - Martiale Agles, Secretary Birds, Bateleurs and a whole host of little Raptors comprise the main feature of this area. There are wonderful water birds to be found along the Khwai river and this river is fairly open and makes for easy birding, birds to look out for are Purple Gallinule, Saddle Billed Stork, Black Stork, Kingfishers, Slatey Egret and a whole host of little Waders. Surrounding woodland comprises mainly of Mopane and there are a number of birds to look out for here; a big special for the area is the Arnot's Chat and Hartlub's Babblers. A trip up to Xaxanka ("kakanika") is also a worthwhile trip as this takes you up onto part of the permanent swamp. Khwai boasts over 300 species and is wellw orth the trip, recommended stay at this camp is two nights. Khwai is also our flagship camp in so far as game is concerned; you are guaranteed to see almost all of your large mammal species and it is a first class destination to try and find that elusive leopard.

Laundry policy

Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.

Extras payment

Curios and or imported drinks will be billed to the guest and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), or the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club but not American Express. If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

How to get there

Access is by charter aircraft from Kasane (served by daily road transfers from Victoria Falls and Livingstone) and Maun. The lodge transfers guests to and from the airstrip. Kwai River Lodge may also be reached by 4x4 vehicle. Direct scheduled flights to Maun from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Windhoek.

Electricity

Generator power (AC 220V) is available during the day and evening. Video batteries can be re-charged. Tented accommodation is equipped with a 240-volt AC plug for hairdryers (which are supplied at the lodge), and 12-volt DC lighting for night-time use, after the generator has been switched off.

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Moremi game Reserve

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