Kazile Island Lodge

Kazile Island Lodge is set on a private island on the Kwando River within Namibia's Bwabwata National Park. It is accessible only by boat, with a short five-minute cruise from the Kazile boat station. The lodge features 13 tented suites surrounded by Mangosteen forest. The main area of the lodge is a large deck, raised on stilts, which includes sheltered lounge and dining areas. A recessed, lower deck offers additional seating and a firepit. Seating consists of wooden benches with cushions, and tables are supplied with games and books. The lodge opened in early 2017. Game drives, bush walks, boat cruises on the Kwando River, and tours to the Sijwa Project are offered. Guided bush walks are permitted within the park. The waterways are similar to the Okavango Delta. Sundowners can be enjoyed at the Horseshoe Lagoon after a game drive. The lodge arranges cultural visits to local homesteads for an insight into the daily life and traditions of the Mbukushu and Lozi cultures.

The lodge offers 13 Meru tents nestled within a Mangosteen forest. Each tented room is raised above the ground on a wooden platform and features dark wooden floorboards. Lighter, brushed white planks create a partial partition between the bedroom and the en-suite bathroom. The en-suite bathrooms are equipped with a shower, flushing toilet, and hot and cold running water. Mosquito nets are fitted around the beds. Each tent has a laptop safe, and WiFi is available in guest rooms, as well as in the main area. A private wooden deck, accessed through sliding glass doors opposite the bed, provides views of the Kwando River or the expansive floodplains towards the Horseshoe Bend. The rooms offer an atmosphere where you hear the sounds of birds chirping. Water is pumped from the river and filtered, suitable for washing but not for drinking. Fire extinguishers are provided in each tented room.

Kazile Island Lodge offers half-board rates, with drinks not included, except for limited bottled water supplied in the rooms. Meals are served at individual tables in both indoor and outdoor dining areas. Breakfast includes a spread of cereals, pastries, and fresh fruit, with the option to order a hot breakfast with eggs cooked to preference, bacon, and sausages. Lunch is a hearty, hot meal; a meatball pasta dish is an example of what is served. Dinner has a homely feel, typically starting with soup, followed by a main course such as game steak with vegetables and potatoes, and concluding with a dessert like vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Room service is not available.

Kazile Island Lodge is located on a private island within the Bwabwata National Park in Namibia’s Zambezi Region. It is situated on the banks of the Kwando River and its floodplains. The lodge is only accessible by boat; the Kazile boat station is approximately 11 km along the C49 off the B8 road, from which it is a short five-minute boat cruise to the island. This location offers close access to the Kwando River and its surrounding wetlands. The lodge's setting allows for sightings of buffalo and elephants traversing the wet landscape, and the sitatunga antelope along the floodplains and marshes. Birdlife is varied and abundant, including wetland specialists and raptors. The lodge is approximately 1,114km northeast of Windhoek and about 12km south of Kongola.

This lodge suits travellers seeking a nature-focused stay in a peaceful island setting. It caters to those who value authenticity and a quiet, immersive experience. The lodge's remote island location and focus on wildlife activities make it suitable for nature enthusiasts, including birders and those interested in riverine ecosystems. Guests exploring fauna and flora through guided game drives, bush walks, and boat cruises will find it appealing. The opportunity for cultural excursions to the Sijwa Project or a local homestead also makes it suitable for those interested in local culture. Children are welcome; however, the remote setting and presence of dangerous animals like elephants, hippos, and crocodiles mean that very close supervision is required at all times. Older teenagers with a keen interest in wildlife and the environment enjoy the experience. The main areas and tents are raised on stilts.