One of the Delta’s first photographic camps was built here at Xaxaba Island (Unless you’re fluent in one of the local Khoisan languages and used to the various clicks, this is usually pronounced as ‘Kakaaba’ – with a ‘Ka’ as in the word ‘cat.’). It was known as Xaxaba Camp and, at one point, was bought by Lloyd Wilmott (of ‘Lloyd’s Camp, Savuti’ fame) before it was run for many years by Gametrackers. There’s still a bushcamp used by wildlife researchers on the same spot today, known as Baboon Camp. Now the main camp nearby is this reserve’s plushest: Eagle Island.
As you might expect, it’s built to basically the same design and specification as its sister-camps: Khwai River Lodge and Savute Elephant Camp.
This means large, opulent canvas rooms built to high-quality standards on timber platforms, each with a wide veranda at the front and safari chairs. They’re well spread out and linked by illuminated pathways. Inside, each tent is fully furnished with polished wooden floors, rugs and luxurious furniture. The twin three-quarter-sized beds, which are usually pushed together, have high-quality cotton bedding, bedside tables and twin (battery-powered) lamps. The beds are surrounded by mosquito netting and surmounted by two air-conditioning units. Yes, really – as well as the ceiling fan! And there’s 110/220V power augmented by and 24-hour battery electricity. At the back, each of these tents has a separate toilet room, a large shower room, and acres of polished wood.
Activities are mainly mokoro trips and guided walks on the islands, though during high-water periods (usually June to September) motor boat trips are also practical. There’s also a large 14-seater ‘sundowner cruiser’ which can slowly coast along the main channels for most of the year.
On very rare occasions, it’s been known to be so dry here that there’s not enough water for good mokoro trips, and then the camp has organised game drives. Otherwise, Eagle Island is a camp for water-based activities.