A destination to reconnect

Try Mark’s ‘special’ coffee in the morning, swing softly in your private hammock during an afternoon siesta, silently approach an elephant misting itself in the Okavango Delta, plunge into the cool pool, hop on a relaxing mokoro sail (a traditional dugout canoe), gaze at the sunset, open your eyes in the morning to a wide Okavango Delta view, read a book on your own softly bedded sala, pamper yourself with an African massage and the sound of rippling water in the back, have a sun downer with your feet in the crystal clear Delta water – there is simply too much to do at this camp, decorated throughout with traditional, Bali-style wood carving . Located in the central region of the private 60,000-hectare Jao Concession, and lying close to the Panhandle in the northwest of the Okavango Delta, it is peaceful, delta-scenery as far as you can see at Jao Camp. Set on the southern side of the plains, Jao Camp is surrounded by beautiful islands fringed with riverine forests, offering magnificent views.

This Okavango Delta camp has nine luxuriously spacious units, individually handcrafted with canvas walls that includes a family unit. Raised off the ground in decks with wooden doors and thatch roofs, each unit has a verandah with spectacular views over the floodplains. The open-plan design includes a lounge, dressing area and main bedroom with en-suite facilities featuring a bath, double vanity, indoor and outdoor shower. There are fans, mosquito nets and each unit has a relaxing outdoor sala under thatch. Raised walkways connect the units to the thatched main communal areas, boasting spacious decks with landscape views over the floodplains. Obviously, the usual suspects are there: a dining room, lounge, bar, library and curio shop, but a luxurious spa in the middle of all this nature splendor makes this place outstanding, together with a beautiful boma for dining under the stars and two plunge pools (surrounded by soft lounge chairs) for the hot hours of the day. There is no WiFi connection, but plenty of time to reconnect with your thoughts and love for nature, instead of connecting with a router.

Activities at Jao Camp

The land and water based Okavango Delta activities at Jao Camp are very much dependent on seasonal flood levels, with summer activities tending towards game drives and in the winter, more water-based activities. Luckily, there is a lot to discover. Venture out for day and night game drives, step aboard a mokoro for a sail trip (there are even two glass-bottomed mokoro canoes providing crystal clear Delta views), grab your binoculars for some of the best bird watching and test your luck during seasonal fishing (except January and February). All these activities usually result in a rumbling belly: Chef Cindy will announce the daily menus before dinner, but don’t forget to try her freshly baked ‘frog’ bread or banana toffee pie during high tea. Dinner takes place in the boma (weather permitting) under more stars than you can imagine. And what is a Okavango Delta safari without sipping some of the best African wine? Jao Camp has an excellent wine cellar and doesn’t hesitate uncorking the deep, fiery cherry flavours of Africa.

Tripadvisor comments Jao Camp

Wow - the setting of the lodge as well as the construction of the main building and rooms literally take ones breath away - to have unending views over the majestic okavango swamps, the option of a water or land based safari experience - incredible! We loved every minute of our stay and could go on and on, suffice to stay everything was spectacular. Sincerely hope to be back one day and enjoy the overall experience again & again...

jacihv from Cape Town, South Africa

Our stay at Jao was simply unbelievable. Rooms are gigantic with indoor and outdoor showers, an outdoor bed and indoor bed with mosquito netting, fully-stocked in-room mini bar etc. Guides were incredible and the mix of water/land safaris was very nice. Food was fantastic and served in copious amounts. Additionally, I had a wonderful experience in the spa.

Adam_Bennett19 from Los Angeles, California