Xaro Lodge is situated on the Okavango River in Botswana, on the so-called pan-handle, before the river branches out into the famous Okavango Delta. It is a paradise for bird photographers, boasting over 380 species. The Okavango River glides quietly by, and branches out into various papyrus-rimmed channels. It is within these quiet backwaters where the best opportunities for bird photography are to be found, where the mirror like quality of the water makes photographing from a boat easy. The photography on the water will be done from flat bottomed aluminium boats piloted by experienced staff from Xaro Lodge.

The Okavango River is alive with birds of all sizes and shapes. African Jacanas daintily steps between beautiful white, blue and purple water lilies, Pied Kingfishers hover above and Malachite Kingfishers flit across the channels like blue and yellow jewels. Great Egrets, Little Egrets, Squacco Herons, Black Herons and Rufous-bellied Herons forage in the shallows or roost on shallow sandbanks, where they sometimes tangle with breeding Long-toed Plovers resenting their presence close to their chicks. Also breeding on the sandbanks are many pairs of African Skimmers, providing wonderful opportunities for both flight and perch shots. In August the Southern Carmine Bee-eaters arrive in their hundreds and nest along the river bank, from where they are easily approached on a boat. Again ample opportunities exist to photograph these stunning birds in flight or perched at their nest sites.

One of the main photographic attractions at Xaro is the abundant African Fish Eagles that frequent the channels. They offer unparalleled opportunities to be photographed in flight, snatching fish or perched on the side of the channel on sandbanks. They allow a close approach as they have become used to fishermen on boats. With good planning one is virtually guaranteed to go home with stunning images of these spectacular raptors. The camp site as such is also great for bird photography, and with patience and persistence good photographs can be obtained of species such as Swamp Boubou, Hartlaub’s Babbler, Heuglin’s Robin-chat and Brown-throated Weaver. A pair of very tame African Wood-owls also live in the camp and can be photographed at night with the help of a strong flash and spot light.

There will be morning and afternoon photographic sessions on the boats, where you will receive ongoing tuition on how best to capture that once in a lifetime image. At the lodge during midday we will spend time behind the computer advising you on how best to post process your images.

The lodge has been carefully designed to be unobtrusive and fit in with its natural tropical surroundings. Xaro Lodge has 8 luxury spacious en suite meru tents sleeping two guests each. The tents have been specially designed with glass doors in the front of the tent. Each "tent" is on leadwood decks and all have views of the Okavango River. There is a dining room, bar and swimming pool. Please enquire about single supplement rate.

We will fly Air Botswana from Oliver Tambo International to Maun. From there, we will fly with a chartered aircraft to Shakawe where we will be picked up and transported to the Lodge, which is about a 45 minutes away. The party is limited to a small group to ensure that we can give you the personalized attention that has become our trade mark. The price includes all flights, transport to and from Shakawe Airport and all meals. Drinks are for your own account.