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Jao Camp Moremi

Jao Camp is located on a large, remote island in a private concession in Botswana , bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta . With varied habitats ranging from waterways and lagoons to dry Kalahari grasslands and open floodplains, Jao Camp can offer both land and water experiences, depending on the current flood levels. This luxury camp is a tranquil base for a wonderful Okavango Delta Safari experience.

Jao Camp has nine spacious, beautiful tents, each individually handcrafted. These twin-bedded canvas and thatched rooms are situated beneath a canopy of shady trees and have en-suite facilities, as well as an outdoor shower for the more adventurous. Built on raised decks, each has a private sala for afternoon siestas and offers wonderful views of the spectacular surrounding floodplains of Botswana. In addition to the lounge and dining area, there are two plunge pools and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars, complemented by wines from an excellent wine cellar. Jao Camp also has a spa where a wide range of massage therapies are offered.

30% Game Drives and 70% Water Activities (but very much dependant on flood levels and time of year). In the summer months, activities tend more towards game drives, whereas in the winter months mainly water-based activities are offered.)

• Land game drives in 5 x 10 seater open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat (each vehicle is equipped with a tree book, a bird book, a mammal book, a pair of binoculars and insect repellent in a centre consol on each row of seats)
• Full day game drives and picnics on Hunda Island - a 45min boat ride away from Jao Camp. Night drives with spotlights.
• Private activities available on request.
• Game walks, which must be requested prior to travel
• Water game viewing in 2 x 2-seater glass-bottomed mokoro (dug-out canoe), and 12 x 2 seater mokoro
  2 x 12-seater boat used in the waterways to the east of camp.
• Fishing with a limited supply of basic equipment is on offer seasonally - catch and release basis
• A raised hide located about 20 minutes from camp (which can be used for sleep-outs - maximum 4 people at a time - and is equipped with a long-drop loo).
• At the spa we offer a full menu of therapies ranging from Clarins' facials to manicures, pedicures and a range of massage options.
• Gym, equipped with a cross trainer, rowing machine, stationary bike, yoga mats, exercise ball and free weights.
• Entertainment room, furnished as a lounge and dining area. It is suitable for private dining, children's entertainment, watching wildlife documentaries and conducting lectures etc.

The wildlife at Jao depends largely on the water levels in the area. The lagoons are home to Hippo and Crocodile and the permanent waterways and floodplains attract large numbers of waterfowl. In the permanent waters, Sitatunga can be tracked silently by mokoro. From October to March the waters subside and extensive green open plains are the highlight. This is where the game viewing is the most diverse. Lion, Cheetah and Leopard are plentiful, while Tsessebe, Red Lechwe, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog and Wildebeest dot the flood plains.

Large herds of buffalo move in and out of the reserve at will. Night drives are good for spotting creatures not often seen such as Porcupine, Spotted Hyena, Pangolin, Spring Hares, Bushbabies, Civet and Genets. During our winter months, the water levels at Jao rise and the savannah areas become inundated with water. Huge herds of Lechwe can be found on the floodplains and the Lion prides are adept at hunting and drowning their prey in the water.

Leopards are still often seen and Elephants are more prevalent at this time. Plains game such as Impala, Zebra, Wildebeest and Tsessebe stick to the dry islands. During this time the focus at Jao switches more to water activities with limited game drives on the larger islands. A greater choice of activities is also possible at this time of year due to these higher water levels

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