Birding Lodges

Birding Lodges of the World: Xaro Lodge, Botswana

April 13, 2026 by Editor No Comments

Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?

Pels Fishing Owl

What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?

Xaro Lodge Botswana; 1986 (We took the lodge over in 2018)

African Skimmer

How best to travel to your lodge?

Self Drive; Fly-In (Chartered or Helicopter)

Brown Firefinch

What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?

Guided Walks; Boat Cruises

What makes your lodge special?

Personal Attention to Guest requests and finding pre-requested bird lists of guests to make their stay memorable; Tranquility; Attentive Staff

Slaty Egret

What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?

Pel’s Fishing Owl
White-backed Night Heron
African Skimmer – September to December
Wattled Crane
Slaty Egret
Rufous-billed Heron
African Pygmy Goose
Lesser Jacana
Greater Painted Snipe
African Fish Eagle
African Marsh Harrier
Southern Carmine Bee-eater
Narina Trogon
Coppery-tailed Cougal
Western Banded Snake Eagle
Collared Pratincole
White-fronted Bee-eater
African Wood Owl
African Green Pigeon
Malachite Kingfisher
Owlets

African Fish Eagle

What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?

February – November

Collared Pratincole

Black-collared Barbet

Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.

Yes. Developing Qhorokaikhwe Sanctuary to bring back wildlife into the area; Community Development Contributions; Member of the Greater KAZA (Kavango; Angola; Zambia birding route)

White-fronted Bee-eater

What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?

Whether booking private or via an agent, it is nice to have the species; Birding guide for Southern Africa (Suggested Roberts Birds of Southern Africa); Arrival is before 18:00, as guests are transferred to the lodge by Boat from our reception

African Wood Owl

Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.

Boat Cruises; Bush Walks; Game Drives – Night and Day (No Big Five); Tsodilo Hills Excursions – (Ancient San Rock Art – World Heritage Site); On Deck Massages; Experience a day and night out on the majestic Okavango on “The Xaro” Houseboat