Jao Camp

Located in a private reserve on a large, denselywooded elongated island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, this luxury tented camp is raised on stilts beneath a canopy of ancient indigenous trees overlooking expansive floodplains. The abundant grassland, waterways and dry savannah support an abundance of wildlife including elephant, giraffe, antelope, zebra, hippo and crocodile as well as the big cats – lion, leopard and cheetah. At Jao, you can experience the extreme contrasts of the Okavango seasons. From April / May to late September, the floods arrive and transform the habitat from the dry green open plains of the summer (October to March) to the shallow floodplains of the winter. The focus at the camp then naturally switches to water based activities such as mokoro canoeing, fishing and boating whilst in the summer, land based game drives in open vehicles predominate (the birdlife is excellent too). Guided walks and night game drives are available year round. The Green Season, from December to March, sees the most rainfall.

Jao has nine beautiful canvas and thatched tented rooms, each individually handcrafted under the stylish direction of renowned architects, Sylvio Rech and Leslie Carstens (who also designed Vumbura Plains and North Island in the Seychelles). The ensuites have a Victorian clawfoot bath – and each room also has a private sala and extensive verandah with a hammock for enjoying relaxing afternoon siestas overlooking the verdant Okavango vegetation and shallow waterways. A raised walkway connects the rooms to the main dining and lounge area. There is a swimming pool and an outdoor boma for dining under the stars – and Jao also has a massage sala.

PRICES Prices from £489 per person per night twin share including all meals, drinks (except premium wines and spirits), game activities and transfers from the airstrip (a 10 minute drive). The light aircraft access from either Maun or Kasane is additional.