Red Carnation Hotels has unveiled an exclusive first-look at Xigera Safari Lodge, opening in January 2021 in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Landing on the western side of Moremi Game Reserve, Xigera is the culmination of a lifelong dream of South African hoteliers the Tollman family; a love letter to the African bush if you like.
A Story of Renewal
Pronounced ‘kee-jera’ and named after the Pied Kingfisher that makes its home amid the watery channels of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, the lodge sleeps 24 guests in 12 individually designed suites, including one two-bedroom family suite on two islands bridged together with a bronze lily centrepiece.
Each suite subtly reflects the surrounding environment, with a deck that extends to include an outdoor daybed with uninterrupted views over the floodplain. Design exists cohesively in a layering of materials and texture including timber, bronze and hand-carved wood. Hand-crafted bronze elements, local artwork and artisan furniture made with natural materials blend African authenticity and design, creating a thoughtful space with a sense of place in the wilds of Botswana.
The Xigera Family Suite is made up of two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, dressing area and outdoor shower. These two spaces are joined by a shared lounge area that opens onto a deck and also extends out to a daybed for reading, relaxing and reflecting. Designed for family safaris – children are welcome over the age of 12 – the spacious suite is fully air-conditioned and can accommodate up to four guests.
Connected with The Delta
The lodge’s design has been conceptualised by Toni Tollman, Philip Fourie and Anton de Kock, who have collaborated with Southern Guild in a partnership like never before. Every piece guests look at, touch and interact with has been handcrafted and inspired by the natural surroundings, allowing them to feel at one with the Delta and the spirit of Africa.
Guests will stay in a ‘living gallery’ of bespoke works commissioned exclusively for the property by Africa’s most exciting young artists and craftspeople, including Adam Birch, Madoda Fani, Porky Hefer, Otto du Plessis, Stanislaw Trzebinski and more. The assemblage of pieces has taken 18 months to produce, with each item hand-made. Quietly surprising touches include human-sized woven nests by South African artist Porky Hefer resting on decks for guests to nestle in, while the pièce de résistance is a totemic fire pit sculpture by blacksmith artist Conrad Hicks, holding the fire as a boma centrepiece and offering a contemporary take on the traditional boma setting. Within the lounge, the fireplace is made out of hand-beaten copper in the form of a lily – a recurring motif which represents the lodge.
Transformed by Africa’s Beauty
Dining will be celebratory, showcasing dishes that take cues from the Delta by way of local ingredients. African-inspired menus, designed by Red Carnation Executive Chefs, are complemented by signature recipes that honour Bea Tollman’s legendary dishes. Meanwhile, the cellar features a list of Champagnes and wines, including handcrafted tipples from Xigera’s sister vineyard Bouchard Finlayson in South Africa.
Guests will also be treated to activities such as glass-bottom mokoro excursions gliding across the Delta’s waterways, a unique sleep-out experience in a baobab treehouse located 1km from the camp, spa treatments by Tata Harper –exclusively in Africa – and game drives taking in a myriad of wildlife.
It is the passionate team, however, that will define Xigera. Led by bush veterans Mike and Marian Myers, a group of the most experienced guides in Botswana will ensure guests have an experience like no other.
