(8 tents)
Sited on a new location (GPS: XIGERA) on Paradise Island, the 'new' Xigera Camp opened in April 2000. If you've never been to the Delta, then simply conjure up an image of a luxurious safari camp in the heart of the swamps, enveloped by a green, tropical lushness. You've probably come close to visualising Xigera.

All of Xigera's tents are raised a few metres above the island floor on wooden decks. These are widely spread out along one fringe of the island, each looking eastwards, past the easy chairs and table on the veranda and onto a small lagoon that seems to attract good game. These tents are all linked together, and to the central hub of a lounge and dining room area, by a total of about 800m of raised boardwalks.

The tented rooms themselves are part wood, part canvas. The front is made of wood, with two large sliding doors and huge gauze windows. It's easy to really open up for good views and airflow, the latter assisted by an efficient, free-standing, antique-style electric fan.

Inside, the double or twin beds are enclosed in a walk-in mosquito net, with a large trunk and easy chairs. Behind the bed is a bamboo screen and towel rack, a dressing table, twin basins, an inside flush toilet and separate shower. Through the tent's rear door is a blissful outdoor shower.

The camp's generator charges batteries, which supply 220V electricity to the chalets constantly and even power the (very efficient) electric showers.

Overlooking a perennial channel, and the footbridge across it, is the camp's comfortable thatched dining room, bar and exceedingly cozy lounge. Close by, the camp has a small curio shop selling materials, jewellery, postcards, film T-shirts and a few hats. There's also a small plunge pool, filled with water pumped from the Delta. This may seem superfluous in such an environment, though clearly litigious-minded visitors aren't encouraged to find 'safe' places to swim in the Delta itself!

Like Jao, Xigera feels like one of the Delta's most tropical, slow and romantic camps. It offers a great water experience, though I'd suggest that most visitors spend only two nights here, rather than three or four that might be the norm at a camp with more emphasis on game activities.