The Camp

Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Number of Tents: 6

Named after a much-mourned bull elephant, Abu Camp is the original elephant safari experience in Africa. The vast 445,000-acre private Abu Concession is set within the unspoiled wilderness of the Okavango Delta. Abu Camp allows guests close proximity to resident wildlife while staying in the lap of luxury. Accommodations are in six high, wide and airy Afro-Bedouin-style canvas tents furnished with distinctive antiques, imparting an air of opulence amid the bush setting. All tents have en suite bathrooms and private elevated teak decks sculpted around one of the lofty sycamore figs or jackalberry trees. Well-lit pathways link the tents with the main lounge and dining area, which opens out onto a tiered teak deck surrounding a giant termite mound, one of the characteristic sights of the Okavango Delta. Nearby, a secluded plunge pool offers an opportunity to cool off and relax.

Back to top

Facilities & Amenities

• Family Accommodation: 2 triple tents, each accommodating 2 adults plus 1 child age 6-16 in an extra bed
• En suite bathroom with outdoor copper tub and indoor/outdoor showers
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion and insect repellent
• Hair dryer
• Room fan
• Mini bar
• Tea/coffee in room
• 220v charging outlets in room
• In-room safe
• Central pool
• In-room spa treatments (extra cost)
• Fitness center
• Wi-Fi in The Elephant Library
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
• No air conditioning, telephone or cellular coverage

Back to top

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

The Abu Private Reserve offers both superb Okavango Delta wildlife viewing, and the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of elephant conservation – the premise on which Abu is based. The essence of the Abu experience is exploring the unspoiled wilderness of the Delta. However, unlike some of the water-inundated areas of the Okavango, the Abu Private Reserve varies from open grasslands to secluded island sanctuaries and papyrus-fringed channels. This variety of natural habitats allows for an abundance of general game. Giraffe, zebra, elephant, impala, tsessebe, lechwe, wildebeest, buffalo and warthog roam the 445,000-acre Abu Private Reserve. Lion can sometimes be heard calling at night, while hyaena and leopard are resident and so are encountered more frequently. Daily activities revolve around early morning and late afternoon wildlife drives in open 4x4 vehicles, guided by expert naturalists. Drives linger into the twilight hours, in search of nocturnal species and predators beginning the evening hunt. During the day, boating and mokoro excursions can be enjoyed in the waterways of the delta. Meals are an elevated affair with delicious cuisine, a beautiful wine selection and camaraderie around the dinner table.

The Okavango Delta is a year-round wildlife viewing destination, with the peak mammal viewing in the dry winter between June and October and fantastic birding all year. The below chart shows major wildlife sightings. Other typical sightings may include small mammals, such as jackals, foxes, caracal and serval, and a wide variety of birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements and can vary from camp to camp, since many camps are located on islands.

Climate

Conservation

The vision at Abu Camp has always been to return elephants that have spent much of their life in captivity back into the African wild. Abu Camp has recently begun fully integrating their resident elephant herd back into the Okavango Delta wilderness area with the cooperation of the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks. All released elephants have been fitted with collars and are being tracked by satellite, enabling the researchers to pinpoint their exact locations three times a day. The release program has provided a wealth of material for a research project undertaken by Dr. Kate Evans of the Mammal Research Unit of the School of Biological Science at the University of Bristol. This work will help the Botswana government in its management of the Okavango Delta and the country's 130,000 elephants, the largest remaining elephant population in the world.

Back to top