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Activities, which are available to guests
Guests staying at the Eagle Island Camp are provided with many different activities to explore the Okavango Delta in Botswana. From walking safaris on surrounding islands, where there is always the possibility of a close encounter with Africa's untamed wildlife, to canoe and motor boat excursions around the waterways, the diversity of the wildlife will fascinate all travellers. During the months of November through March, when lower water levels make it possible to drive the open 4x4 vehicles off the island, guests can also enjoy the combined excitement of a game drive with water activity.
The Eagle Island camp offers game viewing activities in the early morning and late afternoons. Bird and game viewing is done either from motorised boats or from the traditional dugout canoes, which are poled along effortlessly and quietly through the clear waters of the Okavango Delta.
Guests have the unique opportunity to enjoy the thrill of a 45 minute scenic helicopter flight over the magnificent game-rich Okavango Delta.
Orient-Express Safaris provides guests of Eagle Island Camp with fully-escorted fishing excursion along the Bora channel which is one of the main tributaries that feeds the Okavango Delta. The main fish species is Tilapia, commonly known as bream in Botswana. There are also fresh water pike and cat fish but these are uncommon.
Eagle Island is home to almost 400 bird species and is therefore a great destination for the enthusiastic bird watcher. During times when the flood, which fills the Okavango Delta, is good then the camp is completely cut off from the mainland. The water birds here are out of this world; specials include regular sightings of the infamous Pel's Fishing Owl, Black Coucal, Long Toed Plovers, Brown Fire Finches and a whole host of other specials. Wattled Cranes are also a big feature with flocks of up to 200 have been recorded.
- Game drives
- Canoe and boat excursions
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Fishing excursions
- Bird watching at Eagle Island
The Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is one of the world's largest inland water systems, the only inland delta of its kind and a unique oasis of life in the centre of the Kalahari Desert. The Delta stretches over 16,000 square km and supports a staggering variety of animal, plant, fish and birdlife. After several tectonic uplifts and earthquakes running along geological fault lines, the area at the edge of the Okavango Delta now lies lower than that of the surrounding area. Hence the water very rarely flows further South than Maun.
Once the rains begin which is around November, the floodwater begins its 250km journey downstream from the Angolan highlands towards Maun. Because of the gentle slope of the Okavango Delta floor (1: 36,000) the floods take approximately six months to travel to their eventual destination.
The hottest month in the Okavango Delta in Botswana is October with mean maximum temperatures of 35C. The coldest months are June and July with a mean minimum of 60C. The rains usually fall between November and April with the heaviest downpours occurring in January and February.
The Okavango Delta consists of a multitude of main channels, smaller tributaries and lagoons as well as floodplains, islands and mainland areas. The watercourses of the delta are constantly changing due to annual flooding as well as a combination of sediment transport, seismic activity, the construction of termite mounds, and the continual opening up of new channels by feeding hippopotami and the closing of others by new vegetation growth.
There are two distinct areas of the Okavango Delta; the permanent swamp, which is inundated with water all year round, and the seasonal swamp, which is flooded annually and dries gradually with the onset of summer. The vegetation of the permanent swamp includes groves of wild date palm, swathes of papyrus, islands fringed with forest and lagoons covered with floating water lillies.
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EAGLE ISLAND CAMP /
BOTSWANA ACCOMMODATION |
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The Eagle Island Camp is situated within Botswana's spectacular Okavango Delta. Beautifully located on the island of Xaxaba and surrounded by Illala Palms, the Eagle Island Camp overlooks a surrounding lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the Delta. The camp is shaded by a canopy of indigenous trees, and therefore provides a cool retreat from the hot African sun. Eagle Island's natural beauty and remote tranquility truly make it a unique getaway from where Africa's untamed wildlife can be observed.
The exclusive Eagle Island Camp at Xaxaba is one of the Okavango Delta's most pristine natural locations. Waterways, palm-lined islands and vast floodplains characterize this area.
From April through October, the Eagle Island camp offers a choice of game viewing by traditional dugout canoe or in motorized boats, which are combined with walks on the surrounding islands. In season, late afternoon sundowner cruises are available to guests on the surrounding lagoon. When water levels are low which is from December through April, morning, afternoon and evening game drives are offered. For the adventurous traveler, safari walks are offered all year round.
Helicopter excursions are offered all year round to the more remote parts of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. These excursions are usually combined with either a boat or vehicle activity depending on the time of year.
Private fishing excursions are also offered from May through to October on a catch and release basis.
This particular area of Botswana offers exceptional game viewing, with prolific bird life and animal sightings. It is also home to one of the most romantic bars in the world, the Fish Eagle Bar, as voted by the New York Times. Stunning sunsets can be enjoyed from the comfort of this unique Bar, or from the raised deck overlooking the lagoon.
Accommodation at the Eagle Island Camp, Botswana
The luxury tents at the Eagle Island Camp in Botswana are situated on raised wooden platforms from where great views can be enjoyed. The large private decks at each luxury tent are furnished with chairs and a hammock, which invite for a relaxing time to view the game. The tent's interiors are luxuriously appointed inclusive of an en suite bathroom, private fully stocked mini bar, four poster bed complete with mosquito netting, as well as a discreet air conditioning. For the guest's convenience, in-room safes are provided for the safekeeping of all cash, travel documents and other such articles.
Facilities, which the luxury tents at the Eagle Island Camp include, are as follows:
- Individual gas geysers
- 'His and hers' vanity unit
- Private viewing deck
- Outside lounge, with hammock and ceiling fan
- Air conditioning
- Mini-bars
- In-room safes
- Hair dryers
- Electric overhead fan (24 hour use)
- 110v/220v plugs for electric razors
- Facilities for charging video batteries
- 24 hour DC battery lighting in guest rooms
- Intercom system to reception
Dining and cusine at the Eagle Island Camp, Botswana
Guests are provided with different options when it comes to an unforgettable dining experience at the Eagle Island Camp:
- Open-air and covered dining, bar and lounge areas
- Viewing deck and the fully stocked Fish Eagle Bar - an ideal venue to watch the sunset over the Delta.
- Camp fire and seating area
- Off site bush dining venue
The meals, which are included at the Eagle Island Camp, include:
- Early breakfast (served around 6am)
- Light brunch (served around 11am)
- Light snacks, tea and coffee on morning activity
- Afternoon tea (served around 4pm)
- Drinks and snacks on afternoon activity
- Dinner (served around 8pm)
Facilities at the Eagle Island Camp
- Large heated swimming pool situated next to the lagoon
- Private outdoor leisure camp
- Mini bars
- Intercom system to reception
- Illuminated pathways
- Curio shop with safari wear, toiletries, video and 35 mm film, facilities for recharging exhausted video batteries, local art and craft objects
- VHS radio communications plus 24 hour emergency facilities
- Slide projector and screen
- Limited conference facilities
- Satellite phone on request
- Telescopes
- Laundry service
- Reference library of books and videos, audio-visual facilities
- Environmental flora and fauna check lists, talks and lectures
- First aid kit
- Emergency medical evacuation service
Awards: Orient Express Safaris
The Lodges, which are part of the Orient Express Safaris Group, have received recent awards due to the outstanding services provided:
- Eagle Island Camp - Botswana's Leading Safari Camp, 2007 World Travel Awards
- Khwai River Lodge - Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards 2007 & Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2008
- Savute Elephant Camp - Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2008
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