Okavango Delta Botswana
Jao Camp
Here in the Okavango, your perfect hideaway awaits. Jao Camp sits on a secluded private island west of the Moremi Game Reserve, deep within Botswana's Okavango Delta. The surrounding waterways open up to floodplains and savannah, offering guests an exhilarating Okavango adventure. Jao’s diverse landscapes provide an array of habitats, ensuring a variety of wildlife sightings. Depending on the water levels, the lagoons become home to hippos and crocodiles, while the waterways and floodplains attract abundant birdlife. Positioned at the heart of the Okavango, the Jao Reserve captures the essence of this unique ecosystem, with narrow channels cutting through papyrus and reed beds. These waterways offer refuge to rare species like the elusive Sitatunga and the Pel’s Fishing Owl. Lush palm islands dot the landscape, inviting exploration.
Choose between five expansive safari suites or two exquisite villas at Jao Camp, each featuring private plunge pools and dedicated butlers, chefs, guides, and vehicles. These accommodations offer the ultimate hideaway, perfectly balancing opulence with the untouched beauty of the wilderness.
The safari activities at Jao Camp include mokoro (dug out canoe) excursions, boats, fishing, day and night game drives and guided walks. If the area has a large flood, we usually have to boat to a large island, called Hunda Island, where vehicles would be waiting and the game drives would start. The area is very seasonal and the annual flood transforms the habitat from dry green open plains in summer to shallow flood plains in the winter.
"We saw buffalo, about 200 of them, very frequently on Hunda Island along with a variety of other game, such as lion - both male and female - ostrich, warthog, kudu, red lechwe, impala, reedbuck, elephant, hippo, crocodile, giraffe in good numbers, and even leopard hunting sitatunga - can you believe the two most sought-after animals in the Delta - in one picture!"
Jao Safari Diaries
“Autumn at Jao transforms the landscape as floodwaters journey down, inundating the floodplains and keeping the surroundings lush and vibrant for several more months. This annual arrival brings vast herds of Red Lechwe to the Jao plains, offering a bountiful feast for local predators. With the rising waters, crocodiles often venture onto the floodplains, becoming a more common sight, and the rare Sitatunga antelope can frequently be spotted on Jao Island. The channels brim with pristine, crystal-clear water, revealing the delicate, swirling stems of water lilies beneath the surface. This season also marks the return of majestic elephant herds to the area. Winter introduces crisp, cool mornings occasionally veiled in mist, while water levels reach their zenith. Spend a day exploring drier terrains teeming with wildlife, and indulge in a delightful picnic along the way. The allure of this place is timeless — one can never tire of its enchanting beauty."
Field Notes
BIRDING PARADISE
Jao Camp is a paradise for birders, with its stunning scenery and rich avian diversity. Notable sightings include Slaty Egrets, Pink-throated Longclaws, and African Skimmers. Jao concession is home to the largest population of the endangered Wattled Crane.
Jao Camp
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