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Okavango Delta, Botswana

Jacana Camp

Jacana is a darling spot with oceans (pardon the water joke) of spirit. It is wholly a water based camp offering all safari activities either on foot, in mokoro canoes or motorboats. This is very limiting to some, but idyllic to others. It can be a relaxing mix with a few land based safari properties.  — Mango's view

Situated about 25 km west of Mombo, outside the Moremi Game Reserve on the Jao flats, Jacana Camp is a truly water-oriented camp and offers mokoro and walking safaris all year round.

From about September to May, as the floodwaters recede, game drives and night drives in open 4x4 vehicles are available - depending on water levels. The camp is set in one of the most densely populated wetland areas for sitatunga and red lechwe - but game concentrations depend on water flow and volume and change from season to season.

All the big game can be found in the area - elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Pels Fishing Owl is a favorite among birders, as well as greater and lesser jacanas. Jacana Camp has 5 Meru-style tents. Each tent is built on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an ensuite bathroom with flush toilet and shower.

The bathroom is enclosed, but roofless. The main dining area is on an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cozy pub and lounge, with an area to sit around an open fire under the stars.

Only 48 beds are developed in 4 camps in the entire remote reserve ensuring an exclusive and personal wilderness experience. The majority of the staff in the camps are locals from the area, either BaYei tribesman or MaXaniqwe (River Bushmen) and know the area like the back of their hands. Many of these people were born on islands nearby and have an intimate knowledge and passion for the area which is hard to beat. They take great joy in imparting their local knowledge and culture to our visitors and love sharing their singing and dancing with guests. Many of our guests rate their interactions with the staff as the most enjoyable element of their stay.

Although this Wildlife Management Area is a hunting concession, a moratorium has been declared on hunting. Every year the camp operators reserve their quota, so that those animals cannot be re-allocated to another area and are saved from being hunted. It is believed that with the same level of protection that the Moremi Game Reserve has enjoyed over the past 40 years, the Jao Reserve has the potential as a wildlife area equal to that of the Moremi.

Includes: All meals, drinks, safari activities, & laundry