JACANA CAMP
Okavango, Botswana

Introduction

Jacana Camp is situated about 25kms west of Mombo, outside the Moremi Game reserve on the Jao flats - a reserve of 60,000 hectares. It is a true water camp and offers mokoro and walking safaris all year round. As the floodwaters recede game driving and night drives in open 4x4 land rovers are available from October to March.

Camp Description

Jacana Camp has five small meru-style tents accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The main dining area is on the top floor of an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore figs and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cosy pub and lounge with an area for an open fire under the stars. Jacana Camp is a true water camp, becoming a small island surrounded by flooded plains when the Okavango Delta is at its peak flooding each year (usually from April to October). During the height of the floods, the activities at Jacana Camp revolve around exploring the waterways of the Okavango by mokoro (dug-out canoe), motor boat and on foot. Travelling silently by mekoro, is a wonderful way to experience the Okavango as you glide silently through the shallow flood plains enjoying the magnificent bird and aquatic life. One of the highlights is searching for the rare and elusive sitatunga antelope. Larger mammals in the area can include elephant, buffalo and lion. We explore wooded islands to stalk the rare Pel's Fishing Owl, one of the largest owls in the world. Taking a mokoro ride to a distant island, then stopping for a lengthy walk before enjoying a leisurely brunch on a sandy bank is a good way to appreciate the true wilderness atmosphere and unique scenery and wildlife of the Okavango - with no one else around us. We travel by motorboat, searching for the perfect fishing spot. We boat across the channels to take a game drive on the plains to the west of Jacana viewing large herds of lechwe and often spotting predators in pursuit. In the dry season (November to March) vehicles can drive through the shallow sandy river crossings for game drives as well as interesting night drives.

Game Viewing

The camp is set in the most densely populated wetland area for Sitatunga antelope and Red Lechwe. Hippos and crocodiles are regularly sited. In the dry season lechwe, tsessebe, elephant, wildebeest and zebra occur here, and lions, cheetah and leopard are often sited on the floodplains. This is an area of prime importance for a host of wetland bird species, including Wattled Cranes, Pel's Fishing Owls, both species of Jacanas as well as other seldom sighted species such as Rails, Crakes and Moorhens.

The Owners

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.

Location

o To the north east of Jao
o In private concession (called the Jao Concession) outside the Moremi Game Reserve

Accomodation

Number of tented rooms:
5 tents in total consisting of:
4 ¾ twin bedded tents
1 kingsize-bedded honeymoon tent
This camp can accommodate 8 guests.
1 twin guides tent
Room details:
o Meru~style tents, raised off-ground on decks
o En-suite facilities with outdoor showers
o Each room has a veranda with a spectacular vista over the floodplains
o Fans in all guest rooms
o Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room

Activities

20% Game Drives and 80% Water Activities (but very much dependant on flood levels & time of year.)
Game Drives:
o Land game drives in 1 x 10 seater open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.
o Private vehicles available on request.
Walking Safaris:
o Game walks.
Water Activities:
o Water game viewing in 10 x 2 seater mekoro (a traditional dug-out canoe).
o 1 x 12 seater boat in the waterways to the east of camp.
o Fishing

Laundry policy

Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of 'smalls' ie underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.

Extras payment

Curios and or imported drinks will be billed to the guest and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard. If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

Flying Times

to/from Maun 35 minutes to/from Kasane 1hr 25 minutes Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes

Air Strip Details

Jao airstrip is located 35 minutes' drive and boat ride from camp.
Airstrip co-ordinates: S19.23.16, E022.44.51 Airstrip services Jao, Kwetsani and Jacana camps.

Electricity

o Camp has 220v generator powered electricity run in kitchen and main areas when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off (for peace in camp).
o Video battery can be charged. Hence bring spare battery and charging unit.
o No facilities for hairdryers or electric shavers.
o 220v battery power (charged by the generator) is used for lighting and fans in each guest tent 24hrs/day.
o Solar heated water

Guest Comments

I just wanted to follow up and let you know that the Botswana Jacana Safari that we recently completed was just perfect. We went on to safari in Kenya and to work on an Earthwatch Project. We have now seen enough of Kenya but I really want to go back on a Wilderness Safari in Botswana. The Jacana Camp was just about the best run tourist operation that I have ever seen. Our guide, Roger Briggs, was by far, the best naturalist guide that we have ever encountered. He is an absolute credit to a Wilderness Safaris. Again, Thank you for your able help. We hope to repeat sometime in the future. Thank you,
R & S H

I would recommend this camp to anyone who wanted to visit Africa. The traditional African meal, singing and dancing on the final night capped off a magnificent experience.
K.P., USA

We enjoyed the peace, tranquility and wonderful service at Jacana.
S.W. and U.W., Belgium

The food was exceptional and we liked the mokoros.
L.W. and L.W., USA Jacana Camp was, in my opinion, the best place we visited.
K.P., USA

The staff is extremely well trained and very efficient. A wonderful place. Thank you, all.
D.S. and B.V., USA

Wonderful place - very relaxing.
S.P., Canada

In search of peace and quiet, the Okavango Delta is where you find it. The Pel's Owl stares, the Lechwe run, the birds soar and the crickets play their wooden chimes. Those are the good times. The mekoros glide on passes through the tall grasses. The camp has friendly faces and food to die for. Now, who can could ask for more?
A.D., UK

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