Kazile Island Lodge

Kazile Island Lodge is located on a private island on the edge of the Kwando River and is only accessible by boat. Together with its sister lodge Nambwa, it is the only accommodation situated within Bwabwata National Park, which is located in the heart of the KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) – one of Africa’s largest conservation areas.

Kazile Island offers ten Meru tents nestled within a mangosteen forest with stunning views over the Kwando River and widespread floodplains that are frequently visited by herds of buffalo and elephant traversing in this wet Zambezi landscape. Each tented suite is built on wooden platforms with a spacious outside viewing deck. The en-suite rooms are also equipped with fans, European two pin plug points for charging equipment and a personal safe. The main area of the lodge is also built on raised wooden platforms, that overlook the magnificent river surroundings. A cosy fireplace invites guest to relax after their safari and enjoy a peaceful sunset.

The offered activities include boat cruises on the Kwando River, game drives in the Bwabwata National Park and guided bush walks. An estimate of 80.000 elephants traverse the KAZA area, so guests will have the chance to get up close with the gentle giants. Sitatunga, a highly volatile water antelope, is often spotted along the flood plains and swamps and Bwabwata National Park is also home to over 450 bird species – guests can therefore look forward to a unique and private safari experience.

The Sijwa Project, which has been introduced by the lodge’s operators, aims to create a permaculture, recycling, waste management and training and culture centre, which is sustainable, builds a solid relationship with the community and generates revenue for the conservancy. This includes repurposing and reinventing not only all the lodge’s but also of the local community’s recyclable waste into exquisite sellable arts and crafts. Another component is an ecological permaculture nursery, which supplies the locals as well as guests with fresh food. The project also operates a cultural village, an artisanal skills training centre, a beehive project, a free-range egg producing scheme and a junior ranger training venue. Not to be forgotten is the indigenous tree nursery for visitors to buy and plant a tree to offset their carbon footprint.