Jacana Camp
(Okavango Delta - Botswana)
Jacana Camp - A Botswana Safari Lodge
Situated about 25 kilometres 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 4 x 4 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 favourite amongst birders, as well as greater and lesser
Jacanas. Jacana Camp has five meru-style tents. Each tent is built on a wooden
deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en-suite 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 cosy pub and lounge, with an area to sit
around an open fire under the stars.
The Jao Reserve (Wildlife Management Area NG25) is 60 000 hectares in extent and
is in the North Western area of the Okavango Delta below the pan handle. The
Moremi Game Reserve forms the eastern boundary of the reserve.
Lying as it does in the very heart of the Delta, the Jao Reserve embodies all
the magic and mystique of the Okavango. Narrow water channels cut their way
through the papyrus and reed beds in the permanent delta to the north and east
of the reserve providing the perfect environment for the elusive sitatunga and
the rare Pels fishing owl. Beautiful lush palm islands dot the water begging to
be explored, and Jacana Camp is built on one such lush and thickly forested
island. In the central region of the reserve vast open flood plains provide some
of the most stunning scenery of the region. Jao Camp lies in the southern side
of the plains and Kwetsani Camp is 5 miles further north on the same floodplain
system. This area of the reserve has beautiful islands fringed with riverine
forests. Further west the reserve gets progressively dryer and Hunda island
which is the tip of a large sand tongue is the largest area of dry land during
the flood season. Hunda island has sandveld vegetation supporting many species
of nutritious acacia and grewia shrubs which provide excellent browsing. Tubu
Tree Camp is built on the western side of Hunda island.
Jao and Kwetsani Camps are situated on islands with breathtaking scenery and
have a great diversity of activities on offer. The largest concentrations of
endangered wattled crane are found in this area. The bird life is simply
stunning, slaty egrets, pink throated long claws and African skimmers are some
of the specials that can be seen. The lion prides in this area have been studied
for the past 5 years by our resident guide, Grant, and a good record has been
built up allowing us more intimate knowledge of their behaviour. Jacana is a
true traditional Delta water camp built on a small exquisite wooded Palm island.
Tubu Tree Camp is situated in the area with the most palatable grasses and the
largest area of permanently dry land and so usually has the more abundant game
viewing experience. There are two platform hides in the Reserve which can be
utilised for sleeping out 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 near by 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 we reserve our quota, so that those animals
cannot be re-allocated to another area and are saved from being hunted. We
believe 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.
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