Kazile Island Lodge

Kazile Island Lodge is a private island in the Kwando River within Bwabwata National Park in Namibia's Zambezi Region. Access is by boat only. Thirteen Meru tents stand within a mangosteen forest and face the river or the floodplains between the island and Horseshoe Bend. Each tent has two three-quarter beds under mosquito nets, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, and a private wooden deck. A laptop safe is standard. Wi-fi reaches the main area and all guest rooms.

Morning and afternoon game drives depart into Bwabwata National Park, part of Africa's largest transboundary conservation area, where around 295,000 elephants move across the landscape. Lions, buffalos, leopards, and wild dogs inhabit the park. Guided bush walks run for two to three hours; the lodge is the only operator permitted to conduct walking safaris within the park. Boat cruises of two-and-a-half to three hours navigate past papyrus islands and reed floodplains, approaching hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birdlife. Sitatunga, an elusive aquatic antelope, appear along the marshes. The Sijwa Project tour crosses to Sijwa Island, where a community initiative upcycles lodge and village waste into craft and operates a permaculture nursery. Laundry service is available. The Kazile boat station lies 11 km along the C49 from the B8 junction; the lodge is a five-minute boat transfer from the station.