The Camp

Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Number of Tents: 7

Jao Camp blends integrally with the verdant islands and riverine forests of the Okavango Delta wilderness. This camp has won awards for its unique construction that incorporates local materials into individually designed and handcrafted rooms. Seven luxuriously appointed suites on raised platforms overlook expansive watery meadows and are shaded by sprawling tree canopies. Spacious, twin-bedded, wood-clad thatched suites contain locally inspired décor, hardwood floors, plush lounges and en suite bathroom facilities. Private outdoor showers are also available. Each suite has an attached private outdoor firedeck with private pool and daybed for afternoon siestas and offers thrilling views of wildlife congregating in the nearby wetlands. A centralized swimming pool, a gym and spa with massage services, museum, curio shop and sheltered outdoor boma area for dining under the stars complete the camp environment. Exquisite cuisine is complemented by an excellent wine cellar.

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Facilities & Amenities

• Family Accommodation: 2 family villas, each with 2 en suite bedrooms connected by shared lounge, dining area and deck with private plunge pool, private butler, kitchenette with private chef, private guide and vehicle
• En suite bathroom with tub and indoor/outdoor showers
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion and insect repellent
• Hair dryer
• Climate control
• Room fan
• Fireplace
• Mini bar
• Tea/coffee in room
• 220v charging outlets in room
• Wi-Fi available
• In-room safe
• Private plunge pool
• Central swimming pool
• Library, curio shop and museum
• Wine cellar
• Spa (extra cost)
• Fitness center
• Star bed deck
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
• Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
• No telephone or cellular coverage

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Jao Camp is located on a large, remote island in a private 150,000-acre concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Mokoro rides, boat trips, day and night wildlife drives, birding and fishing are typically on offer all year-round due to the abundance of wildlife in Botswana. Two platform hides in the concession offer opportunities for up-close wildlife viewing. When water levels are high, your safari begins via boat to an island where vehicles await and the wildlife drive begins from there. Huge herds of red lechwe are often seen on safari drives, followed by their primary predator—prides of lion. Other quintessential Botswana wildlife include elephant, buffalo, leopard, tsessebe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and crocodile. Many bird species are resident in the verdant forests. Meyer's parrot, African harrier hawk, black egret, coppery-tailed coucal and malachite kingfisher are a few of the avian treasures found at Jao Camp.

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

Jao Camp is intimately involved in the Lion Monitoring Project, which was initiated shortly after the Jao Concession was created. The project monitors the movement, social behavior and condition of individual lions on the concession. Well-known lion biologist Dr. Pieter Kat has spent considerable time in the Jao Concession, offering advice and also making use of Jao Camp’s documented information on lion behavior. He heads up a long-running lion research project in the south of the delta and is the author of the book Prides: Lions of the Moremi. Dr Kat also advises the Botswana government on matters pertaining to the conservation of lions and has gathered useful data from Jao Camp’s ongoing projects to support his efforts to maintain the ban on lion hunting in Botswana.

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