Luxury Lodges · Okavango Delta, Botswana
Jao Camp
Overview
Jao Camp is situated on a remote island within the private Jao Reserve in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where floodplains, palm islands and waterways converge to create a richly diverse safari environment.
The camp features five elevated suites and two exclusive villas, each designed to maximise privacy and panoramic Delta views. All suites and villas include private plunge pools, generous indoor and outdoor living areas, en-suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and spacious private decks. The two villas are ideal for families or small groups and include dedicated staff (a private guide, chef and butler) ensuring a fully tailored safari experience.
Wildlife activities are varied and seasonal, reflecting the dynamic Delta ecosystem. Guests can enjoy guided game drives, mokoro excursions through tranquil channels, boating (water level dependent), walking safaris and seasonal fishing. The reserve is renowned for its diverse habitats and predator sightings, alongside elephant, buffalo and red lechwe.
Beyond safari activities, Jao Camp offers a well-equipped gym, spa, and a curated museum space celebrating the natural history and cultural heritage of the region.
Fully solar powered, Jao Camp combines contemporary architecture with environmental sensitivity, delivering a refined yet immersive safari experience in one of Africa’s most iconic wilderness destinations.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
Details
Good to know
Languages spoken
English
Property facilities
Battery Charging Facilities, Children Friendly, Credit Card Facilities, Disabled Friendly, Eco Friendly, Gym / Fitness Centre, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service, Meal On Request, Outdoor Pool / Pool Deck, Restaurant, Spa
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
Discover the Jao Reserve – Okavango Delta
Welcome to the Jao Reserve, one of the most iconic private reserves in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Here, a remarkable mosaic of floodplains, palm islands, winding channels, and rich woodland habitats creates one of the most diverse safari landscapes in Africa. Within the reserve, six distinctive camps, Jao, Kwetsani, Tubu Tree, Little Tubu, Jacana, and Pelo, offer different perspectives of this extraordinary Delta environment. Each camp is positioned in a unique setting, allowing guests to experience the changing character of the Okavango across its varied habitats. The Jao Reserve is renowned for the variety of safari experiences it offers. Venture out on open-vehicle game drives through woodland and grassland, glide quietly through waterlily-filled channels by mokoro, or explore the Delta by boat as seasonal floodwaters transform the landscape. Wildlife encounters are equally diverse, from large herds of lechwe and buffalo moving across the floodplains to the excitement of tracking predators such as lion and leopard. Bird enthusiasts are also rewarded with exceptional birdlife throughout the reserve. This is the Okavango Delta in its full richness, dynamic, diverse, and unforgettable.
The Journey In – New Safari Vehicles at Jao Reserve
This video highlights the delivery of the new Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicles travelling from Maun into the Jao Reserve. These vehicles replace our long-serving heritage fleet of Land Rovers and form part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a modern, reliable fleet in one of Africa’s most remote safari environments. Operating in the Okavango Delta presents unique logistical challenges, and ensuring that our vehicles and equipment remain in top operating condition is essential to delivering a safe and comfortable safari experience. Purpose-built for comfort, safety, and exceptional visibility, these custom game viewer vehicles allow guests to explore the Delta from an elevated perspective. Spacious seating, open sides, and uninterrupted window views ensure that every guest enjoys a prime vantage point for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicles are used for daily safari activities across the reserve and are designed to carry up to six guests, with each seat offering excellent visibility of the surrounding wilderness. For many guests, the journey from the airstrip to camp, and every drive that follows, is where the safari truly begins.
Ready to plan your stay?
Tell us your dates and we'll handle the rest — flights, transfers and the lodge itself.
Enquire nowKeep exploring