Xakanaxa Camp was the very first camp within the Moremi Game Reserve. As far back as the 1960s it was established as a crocodile hunting camp by Bobby Wilmot, as it was the easiest access point to the great lagoons and channels of the Delta in close proximity to Maun. This exact spot was also used by the current owner of Xakanaxa Camp, Wolfgang Burre, in 1968 when he first started exploring the Okavango Delta.

Doug Skinner later converted the camp into a very rustic fishing camp and Wolfgang became his partner in 1982, as he had fallen in love with the area many years before. When Doug Skinner left for England in 1988, Xakanaxa Camp was entirely taken over by Wolfgang, who slowly made it to what it is today. It is also interesting the note that before Wolfgang bought into Xakanaxa, he had built Tsaro Lodge in 1979, which is in the Khwai area.

The process of building in Botswana at the time was very long and difficult, as all the building materials where driven up by truck from Johannesburg on dirt roads, which took several days of travel. Tsaro was sold in the 1980s and later taken over by the people of Khwai Village.

Due to Xakanaxa’s long history, Wolfgang or Pandani (the bald man), as he is lovingly called by his staff, has simply tried to keep the true African safari feel to give guests a genuine and natural safari experience. With its rustic African style, Xakanaxa blends wonderfully into the surrounding environment. The original Meru tents allow the guests to experience unobstructed views over the Delta from the comfort of their beds during the day, and allow for the sounds of Africa to embrace them into blissful slumber at night.

A number of our staff have been with us for many years and we have a large amount of return guests, who often praise our friendly and helpful staff. We like to see ourselves as a family and try to make our guests feel as part of it when they are with us. As an example, Lettie Letsile has been with Moremi Safaris and Tours since 1982, when she started in housekeeping at Tsaro Lodge. Now she is a manager at Xakanaxa Camp and we are very honoured to still have her with us. She is truly a good soul with a gentle voice and calm nature who keeps everything running together with Timothy and all our other wonderful staff.