Floating within the extraordinary waterways of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Eagle Island Lodge, A Belmond Safari offers a safari experience unlike anywhere else in Africa. Surrounded by shimmering floodplains, papyrus-lined channels and remote palm islands, the lodge feels beautifully detached from the outside world, where the pace of life is shaped entirely by nature and the movement of water.

Set on secluded Xaxaba Island, the lodge combines the romance of a classic safari camp with a more contemporary, design-led approach to luxury. Elevated walkways connect the intimate collection of tented suites, each thoughtfully positioned for complete privacy and uninterrupted Delta views. Spacious interiors are softened with earthy tones, handcrafted details and natural textures, while expansive decks invite guests to spend hours watching the landscape quietly come to life. The Lux Traveller’s favourite is the private plunge pool experience at sunset, when elephants wander through the floodplains and the sky reflects endless shades of gold across the water.

What truly distinguishes Eagle Island Lodge is the diversity of experiences available throughout the year. During the flooded season, guests glide silently through narrow waterways in traditional mokoro canoes or explore deeper into the Delta by boat, passing waterlilies, kingfishers and grazing elephants along the way. In the dry months, the focus shifts towards game drives, walking safaris and extraordinary helicopter adventures above the Delta’s vast wilderness.

Dining here is relaxed and atmospheric rather than overly formal. Open-air breakfasts unfold beneath towering trees, private dinners are arranged on secluded decks and evenings often end around the firepit beneath impossibly clear African skies. The Fish Eagle Bar provides the perfect setting for sunset cocktails, with hippos frequently appearing in the nearby channels as daylight fades.

Elegant yet deeply connected to its surroundings, Eagle Island Lodge captures the magic of the Okavango Delta in the most unforgettable way.