Information
Providing the ultimate Delta water experience in the heart of the Okavango, luxurious Jao Camp is set in an area where islands fringed with riverine forests meet vast productive floodplains.
Jao Camp lies in the southern side of the plains, an area with beautiful islands fringed with riverine forests. The game viewing at Jao is superb. Huge herds of red lechwe can be seen, followed by their primary predator – prides of lion. Other game typical of the area includes elephant, buffalo, leopard, tsessebe, zebra, hippo and crocodile as well as the uncommon sitatunga and spotted-necked otter.
Many bird species are resident such as Meyer’s parrot, African harrier hawk, black heron, coppery-tailed coucal, and black crake being some of the avian treasures found at Jao Camp.
Rooms
Underpinning it all is our commitment to the pristine environment around Jao, minimising our footprint and allowing our guests to experience the Delta in its fullest sense.
Innovative insulation ensures comfort, while gauze and glass panels let natural light and the outside in. The suites and villas are cooled with a silent evaporative cooler, at a fraction of energy used by conventional air-conditioning, and Calore ‘fireplaces’ provide heating during the colder months.
Standard Tent(s)
5 x Tents comprising: 05 x twin-bedded luxury tented accommodations each with two three quarter beds (separate mattresses with shared base).
Villas
02 x Villas comprising: Each Villa has two identical tents (four beds in total) each with own en-suite facilities, sharing a lounge and dining area, private butler, kitchenette with private chef, fire deck and private plunge pool, plus private vehicle and guide.
Facilities
Built on raised decks, each has a private sala for afternoon siestas and offers wonderful views of the spectacular surrounding floodplains.
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.
Hide and star bed
A raised hide located about 20 minutes from camp is a great place to watch the comings and goings of wildlife. The hide can also be used for sleep-outs for a maximum of four people at a time. The hide is equipped with a long-drop toilet.
Jao Spa
Tucked under magnificent African ebony trees overlooking lush waterways, the Jao Spa is an enchanting setting where you can rest and feel utterly restored. Here, we offer a full menu of therapies from facials to manicures, and a range of massage options.
Gym
Our gym is equipped with a cross trainer, rowing machine, stationary bike, yoga mats, exercise ball and free weights – and beautiful views over the water.
Entertainment Room
The entertainment room is furnished as a lounge and dining area. It is suitable for private dining, children’s entertainment, watching wildlife documentaries and conducting lectures.
Activities
Jao’s position, amongst waterways and lagoons, yet close to dry Kalahari woodland, means you can enjoy both water and land experiences, depending on the time of year.
Mokoro Excursion
There is no better way of viewing the Delta and its wildlife than by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). At Jao we have a number of these – as well as two glass-bottomed mokoro for an entirely out of this world experience!
Boating
Trips in our eight-seater boats in the waterways to the east of camp allow for good game viewing in the channels further away.
Game Drives
Morning and afternoon game drives are offered in open 4×4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of seven people allowing each guest a window seat.
Full-Day Game Drives and Picnics
A 45-minute boat ride from Jao Camp, you can enjoy a full-day game drive, along with a picnic, on wildlife-rich Hunda Island.
Night Drives
Night drives with spotlights allow you to find those nocturnal animals you wouldn’t see during the day.
Fishing
Fishing with a limited supply of basic equipment (spinner rods and a small range of lures) is on offer seasonally on a catch-and-release basis.
