Xigera Camp earns Botswana’s first Michelin Keys
Pauline Dikuelo | Friday October 2, 2026 10:41
The recognition makes Xigera the first and only property in Botswana to receive a Michelin Key, placing the country among destinations recognised globally for exceptional hospitality.
Xigera is one of 657 properties worldwide to receive two Michelin Keys in the 2026 selection. The distinction recognises what the Michelin Guide describes as an “exceptional stay”, based on independent and anonymous assessments of character, architecture and interiors, service and comfort, connection to the destination and value.
For Xigera Lodge Manager Quest Maundo, the recognition validates the lodge’s long-term vision.
“I am immensely proud. I watched the new Xigera being built six years ago and have seen our colleagues grow into the responsibilities and possibilities it created,” Maundo said.
He said the lodge sought to redefine the safari experience by giving guests greater freedom to experience the Okavango Delta while drawing on the knowledge and hospitality of Batswana.
“We set out to help change what people expected from safari. We wanted guests to have the freedom to experience the Delta personally, supported by exceptional hospitality and the knowledge of Botswana’s people,” he said.
Xigera has 12 individually designed suites overlooking the floodplains, with the work of more than 80 African artists, designers and artisans incorporated into the guest experience.
Its culinary offering is based on “radius cooking”, which prioritises sourcing ingredients as close to the lodge as possible, depending on season and availability. Relationships with growers and small producers around Maun provide the lodge with fresh produce while creating a market for local suppliers.
Sustainability is also embedded in the lodge’s operations. About 92 percent of its energy comes from solar power, reducing reliance on diesel. Water is purified and remineralised on site, while organic waste is composted to support local growing.
The lodge also supports farming, conservation education and initiatives aimed at promoting coexistence between communities and wildlife.
Its “Your Safari. Your Story.” philosophy allows guides and hosts to tailor each day around guests’ interests and conditions in the Delta.
Head Safari Guide Ikalaheng Mogalakwe, who was born in Maun, said the approach gives guests time to observe wildlife without being constrained by fixed schedules.
“One of the biggest changes I have seen at Xigera is the freedom to let an encounter unfold,” he said.
Investment in employees is another component of the lodge’s business model. Through the Xigera Citizen Employee Trust, local Batswana employees collectively hold a 16 percent stake in the lodge.
Employees also receive individual accommodation, pension contributions, medical aid, training and opportunities for international hospitality exchanges.
People & Culture Manager Dikeledi Kakambi said employee development was critical to delivering quality hospitality.
“Great guest experiences start with great people,” she said, adding that the lodge focuses on skills development, leadership opportunities and employee wellbeing.
Xigera has also based its reservations, human resources, procurement and accounting functions in Maun, keeping key skills and operational knowledge within Botswana.
For Maundo, the MICHELIN recognition is an opportunity to showcase the potential of Botswana’s tourism sector and its people.
“As we approach Boipuso on 30 September, this is an honour we are proud to bring home to Botswana,” he said.
“Xigera shows what can happen when long-term investment meets Batswana talent and respect for the land. We want young people to see careers they can build here, and an industry in which their knowledge and ideas can shape what comes next.”