Camp Description Jao Camp is situated in the Jao Reserve, an area of 60,000 hectares, in Botswana's Okavango Delta. It is built in a private reserve bordering on the Moremi Game Reserve, to the west of Mombo, on a densely wooded, oval~shaped island. Jao can offer both land and water activities, depending on the fluctuating levels of the Okavango's floodwater. This area comprises a superb variety of habitats, ranging from permanent waterways and lagoons on the one extreme to thick Kalahari soils on the other.
Jao ranks as one of the best lodges in Southern Africa according to the July 2000 issue of Harpers and Queen.
Game Viewing
Activities
The Owners
Guest Comments
Newsletter
Fact Sheet
More Pictures
Camp Description
The camp sleeps a maximum of 16 guests in unique and stunningly beautiful, luxury rooms. The whole of Jao is raised on wooden decks above the lush palms below and is beneath a dense canopy of ancient indigenous trees. Each room has thatched roofs with canvas walls. En suite facilities include a bath, flush toilet, basins, as well as an outdoor shower. Each room has a "sala" for midday siestas with a wonderful view. The main dining, lounge and pub area is under cool thatch beneath the tree canopy. The camp has a pool. We also have an outdoor "kgotla" (Botswana's version of a boma) for dining under the stars. Raised walkways connect the rooms to the dining room and lounge. The camp is open all year.
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Game Viewing
A variety of habitats ensures diverse and interesting game viewing. The wildlife at Jao depends largely on the water levels in the area. The lagoons are home to Hippo and Crocodile and the permanent waters attract large numbers of waterfowl. In the permanent waters, Sitatunga can be tracked silently by mokoro. From October to March the waters subside and enormous open plains are the highlight. This is where the game viewing is the best. Lion, Cheetah and Leopard are plentiful, while Tsessebe, Red Lechwe, Zebra and Wildebeest dot the flood plains. During our winter months, the water levels at Jao rise and the savannah areas become covered with water. The focus at Jao switches more to water activities with game drives on the larger islands.
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Activities
Nowhere in the Okavango do we experience more extreme contrasts in the seasons. From about May to late September, the floods arrive and the floodplains fill up with crystal clear waters. From October to April, the flood levels drop and the floodplains turn into savannah grasslands. Jao is a multi~activity camp. Mekoros, boating, walks, game drives and night drives are all on offer all year. The primary focus of the activities changes according to the time of year and the flood levels.
Move your mouse over each activity/facility icon below to see what they represent. For a full description of activities offered at our properties, click here.
8 Guest Tents Game Drives Night Drives Good Birding Guided Walks Boating Mekoros Fishing Swimming Pool
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The Owners - Cathy and David Kays, and Kingsley Mogalakwe
Cathy and David Kays and their families, and Kingsley Mogalakwe are the long~term leaseholders of Jao Reserve. The Kays are one of Maun's oldest families. David's great grandfather first came to Ngamiland in 1887. In 1912 the Kays family settled in Tsau, at that time the headquarters of the Batawana tribe (Maun was not yet founded). When the Batawana tribe decided to establish a new village at Maun and move its headquarters there in the mid~twenties, the Kays family moved with them. David's father, Ronnie, was instrumental in advising the Batawana Tribal Authorities on the formation of Moremi Game Reserve and assisted in the demarcation of the reserve's boundaries. Kingsley Mogalakwe is from a prominent and well~known Maun family. His uncle, Montsho Mogalakwe, was also instrumental in the formation of Moremi Game Reserve and has now retired from service in Maun as the deputy chief for Ngamiland. Like all families raised in and around the Okavango, wildlife was in their blood, and they spent most of their lives out in the bush. When they won the rights for the Jao Reserve in the recent tender process, they were determined to make this Botswana's finest reserve. They turned their backs on hunting, even though it is allowed in this reserve. They are only the second reserve in Botswana not to hunt, when hunting is allowed. They have decided to focus all their efforts on developing Jao into a superb photographic reserve, but in the process they lose about US$300,000 in hunting revenue every year to ensure great game viewing and a superb wildlife product in the long term. The two camps they have built ~ Jao and Kwetsani ~ are two of the top camps in the Okavango.
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Guest Comments
Super stay at the most beautiful and comfortable camp we have visited. The Wilderness lodges are truly amazing and allow you to truly appreciate and experience Africa. Thanks to your staff and managers - they were all so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and everyone had a smile the whole stay. A truly memorable stay.
S.S & D.S., USA

There aren't enough superlatives to describe this experience of a lifetime and it is obvious that every staff member contributes to the process of Jao. thank you so much for a fantastic stay.
S.C & M.C., Canada

We loved all the "special touches" everywhere - the quill, leaf and wrapper on toilet papter, the leaf on menu, etc. Your guides and trackers were all helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. The atmosphere and furnishings are superb and the total effect makes it a standard all others we visit will have to be exceptional if they hope to compare. Thankyou for a perfect three days.
A.B. & H.B., USA

Ian was very informative and great to be with. Learning about the Okavango Delta, the stars, the Lions, the birds and all with so much passion was fantastic.
W., Melbourne, Australia

The camp is very unique and decorated nicely. We loved the whole atmosphere of being in the bush and being with animals and nature - listening to the sounds of Africa.
J.I and R.I., Germany

Great Food. Ian's astronomy talks were very informative. Camp fire was a great way to get together. The whole staff from management down worked hard to ensure a wonderful time for all.
H.M.A., Akron, USA

Don't change anything, (even the Lion footprints near the room) its so perfect - fantastic.
F.B., V Lolli, Italy

We had the best days of our lives during the trip. We cannot say enough about your staff. We miss then already.
J.K and C.K., Los Angeles, USA

Can't wait to return! Thank you for a really great African introduction and welcome.
M.K., USA

Mokoro was tranquil and peaceful and you got to see things like frogs and insects that you usually don't see close up. The game drives allowed you to see the vast open spaces and beauty of the Okavango.
F.B. and C.B., USA

We were moved by the beautiful surroundings and superb design of the camp, but also really enjoyed the fine hospitality and excellent activities.
S.K., UK

The mokoro ride is a unique experience of the Delta, so very peaceful and tranquil. My only complaint is to the chef…I gained 5 kgs!
J.F., Tampa, USA

Incredible place, many thanks for a wonderful stay - just wasn't long enough.
L.L., Sarasota, USA

A wonderful experience, excellent and creative facilities. Very friendly staff, which is important. Enjoyed the variety of activities.
S.J.v.R. and S.J.v.R., South Africa

Our only disappointment was not having enough hours in the day to enjoy everything Jao has to offer.
S.W., Brussels, Belgium

Thank goodness your facilities are set up for a few people; it's so nice not to be surrounded by cars and people. All of your management and personnel seem to have a wonderful respect for the environment.
C.H. and K.H.

I think I can best sum up my stay by saying: If I should die and don't make it to heavan, then Jao Camp will do!
P.I., Australia

Enrique and I got back from Africa on Sunday and truly had a WONDERFUL TIME......all the preparation that Enrique did for the past year surely paid off........Everything was perfect. The Safari in the 3 different camps in Botswana was something to behold.........These "Tented Camps" were nothing like Girl Scout camp back in the 60's. King Size beds, in door plumbing.....the only thing that resembled a tent was that the walls were Canvas!!!! Food was great and Animal Viewing was at an all time HIGH!!!! Can't seem to say enough about our trip to do you justice on all your advice on the camps. They were all so different. Jao, of course being our favorite and Chitabe, best animal viewing. There is NOTHING that we would have changed. Certainly a lovely experience which we will treasure for many years. Thanks for helping make our 3rd Safari so Wonderful!!!!

Thank you very much for all the arrangements on our trip. Everything went like clock work and our experience was fantastic. This was the best trip we ever had. Fell in love with Africa, with the people and with their demeanor. Derek and Gordon were great and very informative. It is wonderful to deal with people that enjoy their job. Our guides were excellent, very knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. We saw just about everything that we wanted to see and then some. Please be advised that we stand ready to be in your reference list and won't hesitate to recommend your company, you and the services that you provide. Once again thank you very much.
C.V. and R. V., USA

In a word, the Africa trip was fantastic!! A. and I both had the times of our lives. Everything worked out exactly as promised by you and Wilderness Safaris in terms of arrangements, being met and transfered around, etc. and the accomodations exceeded expectations. A. wants to go back and work for Wilderness Safaris - and I just want to go back and see more!
K.M., USA

Spectacular place, we really enjoyed our stay here! Wonderful people, thanks for everything!
MP, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

This place proves you can reach paradise while on earth - keep it just this way.
RZ, Herzelia, Isreal

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