A story of remarkable renewal
Xigera is our love letter to the magic of the African bush.
Xigera Safari Lodge
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Transformed by Africa's life-enhancing beauty
The story of Xigera Safari Lodge is one of renewal. Of rebirth and family legacy, and of the pioneering spirit that drives us to seek out Africa’s wild spaces. The same spirit that inspired this remarkable reimagining, perhaps a complete reinvention, of an Okavango Delta safari.
This is Xigera (pronounced ‘kee-jera’), named for the Pied Kingfisher that makes its home amid the watery channels of Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve.
Every aspect is handcrafted to beguile our guests’ senses and stir their souls – from the evocative interiors to one-of-a-kind encounters.
But Xigera is equally a line in the sand. A raising of the bar. A bold statement in the realm of luxury safaris, and an Okavango Delta safari experience like no other.
Take a tour
Explore our Lodge with its country house charm
The power of passion
"The Lodge was originally built in 1865, providing a home for the Estate Manager of the nearby Ashford Castle. The Lodge also hosted a variety of guests who included fishermen, walkers and friends of the Ardilaun family. I was ecstatic to become Hotel Manager of The Lodge at Ashford Castle in 2018 and it is wonderful to be back in my home county of Mayo.
There really is nowhere more beautiful than Ashford. Not only is The Lodge situated on over 300 acres of stunning gardens and forests, set against the background of the mesmerizing Lough Corrib, we also offer a multitude of activities right here on the estate.
We are committed to sustainability, supporting charities such as Clean the World and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics. Mirroring my own passion for biodiversity, we work to preserve the natural habitats on the Estate. We have introduced a bug hotel in our gardens, bat boxes throughout the Estate and four beehives. We are also proud to grow our own produce in our polytunnels and forage for seasonal ingredients across the Estate.
To sum up my experiences and to quote W.B. Yeats: “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire”. Each day at The Lodge brings a new challenge and new lessons learned. Overall, I am most proud of the team I work with; the dedication, commitment and passion they show each day is truly inspiring."
- Peter Fergus, General Manager
