Jao Camp

(Okavango Delta - Botswana)

General Description
Jao Camp is situated in a private reserve on a remote island, to the west of the Moremi Game Reserve, and in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Across the waterway in front of the camp, guests have access to open floodplains and savannah for a wonderful Okavango experience.

A raised walkway connects the rooms to the dining room and lounge area. There is a plunge pool and an outdoor 'boma' for dining under the stars, as well as an excellent wine cellar. Jao also offers a Salon with a full-time therapist, offering a wide range of massage treatments.

Narrow water channels cut their way through the papyrus and reed beds, providing the perfect environment for the elusive sitatunga and the rare Pel's fishing owl. Game viewing and birding are fantastic here. Hippos and crocodiles are regularly sighted. In the dry season lechwe, tsessebe, elephant, wildebeest and zebra occur here, and lions, cheetah and leopard are often sited on the floodplains. This is a prime area for a host of wetland birds including jacanas, rails, crakes and moorhens.

The activities at Jao include mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions, boats, fishing, day and night game drives and guided safari walks. During an unusually high flood season, game drives begin by boating out to a nearby island - Hunda Island - where the vehicles are waiting, and the drive begins from there.

The area is extremely seasonal and the annual flood transforms the habitat from dry green open plains in summer to shallow floodplains in the winter. Access to this area is only by aircraft.

Accommodation
Guests are accommodated in nine large and spacious rooms. Each of the unique and beautiful twin-bedded canvas and thatched rooms has been individually handcrafted under the direction of renowned architects Sylvio Rech and Leslie Carstens. The rooms are built under a canopy of shady trees, with en-suite bathroom, hot and cold running water, a large bath and double vanity. There is an additional outside shower under the stars for those more adventurous guests who want to shower closer to nature. There is an outdoor "sala" for guests to enjoy midday siestas with a view and a breeze. The rooms are raised off the ground and offer wonderful views of the surrounding floodplains. There is one family cottage which accommodates 5 persons and one honeymoon cottage. All rooms have fans and soaps, shampoo, towels and insect repellent.

Dining
The camp has a dining room under thatch, raised on poles, overlooking the floodplains where meals are served. There is also a boma for outside dining. All drinks are included excluding premium brands and champagne.

Facilities
- Dining room, bar & lounge under thatch
- Boma for dining under the stars
- Reference library
- Gift shop
- Laundry service
- Evening campfire
- 2 plunge pools
- Wine cellar
- Massage salon with full time therapist
- Private dining arranged

Activities
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Full day game drives and picnics on Hunda Island - a 45min boat ride away
- Night drives (depending on flood levels.)
- Private activities available on request
- Game walks
- Water game viewing in  Mekoro (a traditional dug-out canoe)
- Boats safaris in the waterways to the east of camp.
- Fishing on a catch and release basis (can book fly fishing with specialist fly fisher, Grant. This must be booked prior to travel). Basic rods and reels supplied by camp but fly fishing equipment to be supplied by guest
- A raised hide located about 20 minutes from camp
- Siesta activities can be arranged, such as short walks, talks, candle making, paper making and mekoro poling lessons

Child Policy
Children over 8 years are welcome.

Environmental Policy
Jao Camp is run by Wilderness Safaris. Wilderness is a company at the forefront of eco-tourism who employ full-time environmentalists to ensure their camps are as eco-friendly as possible.  Solar heating and power, limited burning of fossil fuels and utilising battery-operated lighting systems are standard.  All camps are small, mostly tented and designed to blend into the natural environment.  Their goal is that if a camp has to be moved the site can be restored to its natural state.  Their "conservation through tourism" policy shares the benefits of tourism with local communities and ensures the protection of these areas for future generations.