MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Discover the stories behind the artwork within Xigera and learn more about the 80 remarkable artists commissioned to create pieces for the Lodge. You'll also learn more about our passion for sustainability, where a number of pieces were created with a sustainability focus; these include Adam Birch's work (crafted from wood from fallen trees around Xigera), and the Further In & Further Out piece (made entirely from beer bottle caps).

Itinerary

• A 30-minute tour of the artwork featured within Xigera
• Opportunity to purchase some of our art pieces, or the Xigera Design Safari book, which provides an insight into artists and organisations featured in the Lodge

This is a complimentary experience for our guests and is available to book via our hotel reception team. 

Explore Habu village, situated 70km from Xigera, and learn more about how we are making a difference locally.

Itinerary

• A brief tour of our compost machine and how we process food waste to create compost for Habu Village
• A 30-minute scenic helicopter flight to Habu village
• A tour of the local school and an explanation of our solar lights and book club projects
• A tour through the village as well as the gardens
• Helicopter flight back to Xigera

• This half-day excursion can be undertaken either in the morning or afternoon
• We require a minimum of 72-hours notice to book this experience
• A Xigera guide will accompany guests free of charge

Price

• $495 per person based on a minimum of 2 people sharing in a R44 (Robbie) Helicopter
• $825 per person based on a minimum of 2 people sharing in a Bell Range 407/505 Helicopter

A visit to Elephant Havens with Helicopter Horizons includes return helicopter transfers, interaction with orphaned elephants, guided by informed and knowledgeable handlers, and a donation to the organisation. 

Elephant Havens is a non-profit organisation working in Botswana to protect and preserve the African elephant. This orphanage rescues and hand-rears orphaned and abandoned baby elephants, with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild alongside the other elephants. Helicopter Horizons' aim is to support Elephant Havens in a sustainable, non-evasive and ethical manner. Helping remote sanctuaries and animal rehabilitation centres, by using tourism as a platform to educate travellers on the importance of putting every animal's protection first. 

This experience includes a 25 minute helicopter scenic flight each way over the Delta from Xigera to Elephants Haven and back.

Guests will spend 90 to 120 mins learning about the elephants, how they came to be in the orphanage, spending time with the guides that look after them and get an opportunity to feed the elephants.

Price: from $710 per person minimum of two people sharing, which includes the entry fee which goes towards the organisation.

This immersive journey with Ecoexist includes a scenic helicopter flight from Xigera to Eretsa Village for a cultural experience highlighting life with elephants. Here, you will enjoy a tour of a local school and a local blacksmith, offering an insight into the measures Ecoexist partners have put in place to coexist with the elephants. Experience a helicopter flyover, showcasing cluster farms and elephant corridors, before meeting with the Ecoexist team. You will learn about their initiatives to promote coexistence between people and elephants over tea and coffee. After a scenic return flight to Xigera, guests are invited to indulge in an optional beer tasting with Okavango Craft Brewery.

48-hours' booking notice is required for this experience. Guests should also be aware that this experience is subject to availability and weather conditions for the helicopter transfers.

This experience lasts approximately five hours in total, including the helicopter transfer to and from Xigera Safari Lodge. 

Price: From $700 per person based on a minimum of two people sharing in a R44 Helicopter, including Ecoexist entry fees.