Assessment: Wilderness Jao Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

September 4, 2024

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Wednesday newsletters at all times characteristic a lodge or flight evaluate.

Early July, I loved one in every of my finest holidays ever, an ultra-luxe safari in Botswana with Wilderness, Africa’s award-winning, main eco-tourism firm. My precise itinerary with Wilderness in Botswana might be discovered right here (this web site additionally means that you can guide the identical journey). You may learn my journey studies right here:

At the moment: Assessment of Wilderness Jao Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

Wilderness Jao Camp is a knockout, one in every of Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges. The ultra-luxe property lies within the 60 000-hectare Jao Reserve within the coronary heart of the Okavango, below a tree cover by itself distant island, with famend Moremi Sport Reserve bordering on the east. Revamped in 2019, multiple-award winner Jao is a sculptural marvel of pure and recycled supplies, of metal, wooden, and glass, of towering, spacious interiors embracing the sunshine, the bush. Jao includes a predominant space elevated into the tree cover, two unique villas, and 5 suites, all with personal plunge swimming pools, lounge and eating areas, and en-suite loos, together with indoor and out of doors showers. With views of the magnificent floodplains from nearly all over the place and providing spectacular land- and water-based recreation viewing, Jao’s a spot of surprise and supreme serenity.

Wilderness Jao Camp options in my prime 10 checklist of the finest luxurious safari lodges in Botswana.

Have you ever ever stayed at Wilderness Jao Camp? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this evaluate (extra data and pictures beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Extremely-luxe Wilderness Jao Camp is situated on the western fringe of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The well-known Okavango Delta in north-west Botswana is among the world’s only a few main inside delta techniques that don’t movement right into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that’s nearly intact. The delta is affected by seasonal flooding with flood water from Angola reaching the Delta between April and June, peaking in July. This peak coincides with Botswana’s dry season leading to nice migrations of massive recreation from the dry hinterland. A UNESCO’s World Heritage Web site since 2014, the delta is an oasis in an in any other case dry surroundings the Okavango Delta. Protected by the Moremi Sport Reserve on its japanese edge, the delta is thought for its very good wildlife sightings and likewise homes a few of Africa’s most unique safari lodges.

Wilderness Jao Camp is reached by gentle plane from close by Maun. The flight to Jao in a small bush aircraft over spectacular wilderness, with wildlife gathering or galloping beneath, is among the biggest safari thrills. The sunshine plane flies at low altitude over golden-grassed floodplains, framed by lush palm islands, which are inhabited by a staggering number of wildlife which might be noticed from a hen’s-eye perspective. Wilderness makes use of its personal fleet of Cessna 208B Grand Caravans for visitor transport, guaranteeing improved consolation, pace, and reliability. In Maun (the principle getaway to the delta), friends awaiting their flights or transfers have full entry to the Wilderness Lounge, which is situated in a constructing adjoining to the airport. The lounge presents seating and eating services in its absolutely air-conditioned area. Wi-Fi, showers, snacks and drinks.

Constructed 23 years in the past by the Kays household – Cathy, husband David, son Martin and group – Wilderness Jao Camp rests below a tree cover on its personal distant island in one of the vital picturesque concessions within the Okavango Delta. Surrounded by a watery backyard of channels, reeds, and lilies, land- and water-based recreation viewing are spectacular there, with big wildlife variety, starting from the elusive Pel’s fishing-owl, to the notorious ‘Jao Mafia’ mongoose gang, to a myriad of massive cats, to cohabiting crocs and hippos, to huge antelope, buffalo, and elephant herds. Day and evening recreation drives are attainable all yr spherical, however for many friends, the water actions are the spotlight they usually embody mokoro journeys, fishing, and boating within the moist areas (solely attainable throughout the flooding of the delta).

Wilderness Jao Camp’s magnificent design embraces the camp’s lovely delta location. The camp’s lead architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, who additionally designed North Island within the Seyechelles, took a recent and up to date strategy to the sense of journey the lodge exudes – creating a sense of not understanding what to anticipate across the subsequent nook, including a component of shock and enjoyment of Jao’s architectural marvel. The towering architectural constructions take their cue from kinds present in nature and features a collection of extremely sculptural, emotive areas that amplify the blur between the idea of shelter, artwork and structure. A shade palette of lotions, greens, delicate purple and splashes of yellow is used, incorporating a singular botanical theme with particular emphasis positioned on the water lily.

Wilderness Jao Camp is a set of various areas that take friends on a spatial journey by means of the delta. On the coronary heart of the camp is the double-story predominant space, which is elevated into the three cover. This space has an indoor lounge and eating space which might be opened as much as the weather with its tall glass stacking and folding doorways, or sealed off in opposition to the chilly in winter or bugs in summer time. A stately iron hearth set on a sandstone slab creates a comfortable ambiance on chilly winter nights. The principle characteristic of this space is a formidable bar with a cedar counter over an angular iron base, with a backdrop of leadwood uprights holding glass cabinets. Above the bar grasp hand-thrown, ceramic lily-like lights in a mass show offset with water-colored strapping and a big ceramic leaf-imprinted disc. Adjoining to this indoor salon and below the identical roof construction is an out of doors lounge, comprising separate seating areas and personal eating tables.

A key characteristic of Wilderness Jao Camp is its museum & gallery, which is situated adjoining to the principle lodge. The double-volume construction has a library, wine cellar and gallery on the higher stage – the place objects are on show for instructional functions – and a boutique on the decrease stage. Among the many gallery objects is a collection of prints from the Nationwide Herbarium in Pretoria, of botanical pressings made by the lodge proprietor’s great-grandfather – EE Galpin – who was one of many pre-eminent botanists of his time, and has been known as the ‘Prince of Collectors’. He left 16 000 sheets to the Herbarium, and various plant species have been named after him. We’re deciding on crops of the area that he recognized. Different objects on show are a collection of animal skeletons – together with an enormous giraffe skeleton on the heart of the area – mounted and displayed like a in museum.

Wilderness Jao Camp options 5 huge tented suites and two unique villas, that are situated alongside an elevated walkway that seemingly floats over the bush. Every suite encompasses a lounge & eating space, kitchen facility plus an ensuite toilet with a bath and indoor & out of doors showers. All suites at Jao are open plan with high-pitched roofs, creating volumes of area. Glass or metallic gauze aluminium doorways open to an expansive out of doors deck with personal plunge pool, looking over the magnificent floodplains and its wildlife. The suite’s furnishings are hand-crafted and designed particularly for Jao, so every part is exclusive. Throughout my go to, I stayed in one of many two Jao Villas, which may accommodate as much as 4 folks within the two an identical visitor rooms centered round a predominant lounge & eating space; friends staying in a villa take pleasure in particular perks, corresponding to a personal car, information, chef and butler.

Wilderness Jao Camp options beautiful leisure and wellness services, to maintain friends entertained in between the safari rides. The lodge’s intimate spa is tucked away beneath palm timber in a tranquil location subsequent to the principle lodge. It encompasses a small reception pavilion in addition to two round remedy rooms that include spectacular saligna-laminated beams, rosewood-clad ceilings and rosewood flooring, and that are surrounded by tranquil water ponds. Situated beneath the principle lodge and set alongside one of many Delta’s waterways is the principle pool space. With its distinctive nest-like cover pavilion for dappled shade, the round pool initiatives out over the floodplain with 270-degree views of the delta and is the perfect spot to benefit from the sundown. Proper subsequent to the pool is a small gymnasium, which additionally enjoys beautiful views over the luxurious waterways.

Meals at Wilderness Jao Camp is the very best I’ve ever had in any safari lodge in Africa (kudos to the feminine chef). Eating at Jao is an expertise in itself, and in essence is the spirit of the Delta, simplicity made particular. Meals are served in the principle eating room however they will also be served in every visitor room, and if staying in one of many two villas, you possibly can have your individual personal chef come to your room and make your dinner for you. The lodge can even do meals within the bush – and whether or not you’re consuming brunch with the water lapping round your ankles, or on drier land with the roar of the lions within the distance, you’ll maintain the expertise for the remainder of your life.

Jao Camp is managed by Wilderness, one in every of my favourite safari corporations. Wilderness was based in 1983 in Botswana by two younger guides, who needed to make sure each conservation of wildlife areas and that the monetary advantages of their safaris movement to Botswana and its folks. At the moment, Wilderness Safaris is broadly acclaimed because the continent’s foremost ecotourism operator, devoted to conserving and restoring Africa’s wilderness and wildlife. They do that by creating life-changing journeys in among the most distant and pristine areas in Africa, hereby serving to to preserve Africa’s spectacular biodiversity and share ecotourism’s advantages with the native communities. Jao might be mixed with a keep at Wilderness’ different lodges in Botswana to create an genuine and evocative desert expertise, from Vumbura Plains and Mombo to DumTau within the far north.

Wilderness Jao is a spot that’s devoted to the conservation of the Okavango Delta and its distinctive ecosystem – the waters and the dry land, and the crops, birds and wildlife that decision it house. Consistent with Wilderness’ dedication to working with a gentle eco-footprint, Jao is 100% photo voltaic powered, with an influence plant that works on one of many largest Victron inverter techniques on this planet, and the biggest lithium-ion battery financial institution in Southern Africa. The suites and villas are cooled with an oblique Local weather Wizard evaporative cooler, utilizing a fraction of the power of typical air-con. They’re additionally fitted with modern self-igniting Calore fireplaces, which use pellets product of sawdust left over from working pure wooden, with none components or caking brokers.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Water ranges fluctuate all year long within the Okavango Delta and likewise fluctuate from one yr to the subsequent. Normally, throughout the summer time month (December to February), the main target within the Jao Reserve is extra on recreation drives than water actions, whereas the alternative occurs within the drier winter months when the world across the camp fills with the waters flowing in from Angola (Might to September). The camp and the reserve are at their most lovely throughout the floods – which additionally attracts loads of wildlife and predators – so be sure that to fastidiously analysis the timing of your keep to maximise your probabilities for nice sightings. As with the water ranges, the density of vegetation – and thus your finest probabilities for recognizing wildlife – can also be dependant on the time of yr and rainfall.

Wilderness Jao Camp is about in a single the pristine areas of the Okavango Delta. Throughout the seasonal flooding (which peaks in July), an incredible variety of crimson lechwe (an antelope species) might be discovered on the expansive wetlands across the camp and watching them operating by means of the floodplains and channels is a sight to behold. Additionally, wild canine often den close to the lodge, making Jao probably the greatest spots in Africa to identify this extraordinarily uncommon species. However apart from this, there isn’t a whole lot of large recreation to identify throughout safari drives within the rapid neighborhood of the lodge (besides when you find yourself fortunate and lions or leopards are passing by means of the world). That mentioned, Jao presents half day excursions to Hunda Island, the biggest island within the space which is reached by a 40 min scenic boat journey. Hunda is house to loads of buffalos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and a big delight of lions. Nonetheless, if recognizing large recreation is what are you searching for, I’d advocate to start out your journey at Jao, to chill out and to take pleasure in the very best water actions in one of many prettiest areas of the delta, earlier than continuing to a different Wilderness lodge the place large recreation is abundantly current (e.g. Mombo, Vumbura or DumaTau).

The principle pool at Wilderness Jao Camp in addition to the personal swimming pools on the villas and suites are plunge swimming pools. They’re nice to refresh slightly after a protracted recreation drive or to chill down throughout scorching summer time afternoon, however they aren’t appropriate for swimming laps.

Wilderness Jao Camp can solely be reached by small plane, both from Maun (a 30 min flight) or immediately from one of many different Wilderness Camps within the space. The considered flying in a small one-engine aircraft could make some vacationers – together with myself – nervous. That mentioned, the flights itself is spectacular and presents phenomenal views of the delta, with wildlife gathering or galloping beneath. Additionally, Wilderness Air – the flying wing of Wilderness – is revered for its various fleet of sunshine plane suited to land on dust airstrips in distant areas and for its group of passionate, skilled pilots devoted to friends’ security, consolation, and satisfaction. And Wilderness Air supply greater than only a connection, flying fastidiously orchestrated circuits maximizing the time of friends within the Okavango Delta. For instance, when shifting from one lodge to a different, you’ll by no means must backtrack by way of Maun and lightweight instances are at all times between 11 am and 4 pm, permitting you, for example, a morning’s dreamy mokoro experience in a single lodge adopted by an adventurous afternoon recreation drive in one other lodge.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 10/10
Meals: 10/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Wow issue: 10/10
Worth for cash: 10/10
General expertise: distinctive 9,7/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Lower your expenses: learn right here my suggestions for getting the very best deal at a luxurious lodge like Wilderness Jao Camp (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Wilderness Jao Camp presents year-round safari actions. Whereas every season brings a singular attraction, wildlife numbers are concentrated between June and October. These drier months additionally permit for seasonal recreation drive alternatives.

The very best time to go to the Okavango Delta is throughout the dry season from June to September. Though known as the ‘dry season’, the water ranges of the Okavango Delta are at their highest level in these months because the flood waters are arriving from Angola, with animals flocking to the waters from the dry hinterland. That is additionally when many camps can supply water actions (e.g. boat rides, mokoro excursions). Going by the rule of thumb, water within the Delta begins to movement in June (when it arrives from the Angolan Highlands), whereas by the tip of August, a lot of the water has handed throught the Delta and water ranges begin to drop once more.
In the summertime months (December to February), the temperatures are hovering and thundershowers are frequent. Throughout this time of the yr, some areas within the delta grow to be waterlogged, making highway journey difficult and airstrips trickier to traverse. That mentioned, glorious recreation viewing might be loved in the summertime months too, in the precise areas with good resident recreation and everlasting water channels. Additionally, in case you are a birder the very best time to go to the Okavango Delta is mostly throughout the summer time months when the Okavango is bursting with resident and migratory birds.

HOW TO GET THERE

Wilderness Jao Camp can solely be accessed by gentle plane into the close by Jao Airstrip, which has day by day flight connections with all different camps in Okavango, Linyanti, Maun Airport (which is the principle vacationer getaway to Botswana) and north to Kasane (for connections to Livingstone and Victoria Falls). Wilderness takes care of reserving all transfers and flight.