Jacana Camp

Jacana Camp is an island wonderland set in a wilderness area densely populated with amazing wildlife and teeming birdlife. It is a true Okavango Delta water camp, where explorations by mokoro provide an idyllic connection to a bygone era that allows silent and tranquil passage along papyrus-fringed channels.

Situated on Moremi Game Reserve's boundary, in the private Jao Concession, Jacana Camp is located on a beautiful island and surrounded by the classic seasonally inundated Okavango floodplains and the papyrus swamps.

Its five Meru-style tents are built on wooden decks to accentuate the views overlooking the floodplains. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom which is enclosed but roofless allowing for showers by starlight - or by dappled sunlight and shade. The camp has a plunge pool for cooling off in the midday sun. The main dining area is on an elevated platform between two magnificent sycomore fig trees and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy bar and lounge with an area for an open fire under the stars.

Activities include mokoro trips and walking safaris all year round, as well as game drives when the floodwaters have receded - generally between September and May. There are two platform hides in the concession.

The camp is set in one of the most densely populated wetland areas for sitatunga and red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume and thus change from season to season but all the big animals can be found regularly in the area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. The birdlife is abundant; enthusiasts can spot Pel's Fishing-Owl as well as African and Lesser Jacanas and a host of other Okavango specials such as Slaty Egret, African Pygmy-Goose and Western Banded Snake-Eagle.

Conservation:

Jacana is involved in the Jao Lion Monitoring Project, which was begun soon after the camps in the Jao Concession opened. Individual lions are identified, and every effort is made to keep track of their movements, social behaviour and condition. Over the years some unusual behaviour and intriguing developments in the various lion prides have been documented.

Jao Concession holder, David Kays, is a member of the Tubu Joint Management Committee which he was involved in launching together with the University of Botswana under the auspices of the Biokavango Project. The aim of this committee is to reduce conflict between the community and the Concession - specifically with regard to curbing poaching and over-fishing. We hope to assist the community with developing tourism ventures in their area.

In November and December every year, Jacana Camp runs up to six Children in the Wilderness programmes, hosting about 96 children from neighbouring areas and towns.

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