TUBU TREE CAMP
Okavango, Botswana

Tented Safari Camp

Tubu Tree Camp is situated in the Jao Reserve, an area of 60,000 hectares, in Botswana's Okavango Delta. It is built on a private reserve bordering on the Moremi Game Reserve, to the west of Mombo, in the western area of the reserve. Tubu Tree Camp offers both land and water activities, depending on the fluctuating levels of the Okavango's floodwater. This camp is built on the western side of a large island called Hunda that has diverse vegetation ranging from dry Kalahari sandveld, through mopane forest and riverine forest on the edge of permanent waterways and floodplains.

Camp Description

Tubu Tree Camp is a traditional style tented safari camp built on to raised wooden platforms to take best advantage of the beautiful view over the floodplains. The camp sleeps a maximum of 10 guests in 5 large and comfortable tents. The tents have a small and private deck in front. Each tent has en suite bathroom facilities, with hot and cold running water, consisting of flush toilet, handbasin, and private outdoor shower. The main dining and lounge areas are also large tents on raised platforms, with an outdoor pub area built under the canopy of a large marula tree.

Game Viewing

A variety of habitats ensures diverse and interesting game viewing, as well as spectacular birding. Wildlife seen here includes Elephant, Lion, Zebra, Red Lechwe, Giraffe, Tsessebe, and Wildebeest on the floodplains. Kudu, Impala, Leopard and Bushbuck are also seen in the forested areas. During our winter months, the water levels rise and the floodplains become covered with water, permitting water activities. The variety of bird life is impressive with dry land species seen on the large islands and all the wetland birds seen on the floodplains and waterways.

Tubu Tree Camp offers game drives with experienced guides in open 4 x 4 vehicles during the day and night, as well as walking with an armed guide. When the flood is in, boating, fishing and mokoro trips are also offered. Full day adventurous transfers by mekoros can also be undertaken during the flood season, to transfer to Jacana Camp that is a water camp in the eastern area of the Jao concession.

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. The newest addition in the Jao Reserve, Tubu, is part of the Vintage range of camps that Wilderness Safaris manage and operate. Tubu is more rustic, but still offers the same service levels as other Wilderness camps.

Location

In the Jao reserve, western Okavango Delta.
Moremi Game Reserve borders the east.

Accommodation

Number of tents:
5 tented rooms consisting of:
4 twin bedded tents
1 king-size-bedded honeymoon tent
1 twin guide tent
This camp can accommodate 10 guests with tour leader
Tent details:
East African Style tents
En-suite facilities with outdoor bucket showers
Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room

Activities

Game Drives:
Land game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers - the camp has 2x 10-seater Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.
Night drives with spot light.
Walking Safaris:
Walking Safaris are offered from camp on a request basis.
7 x Mokoros.
1 x boat
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 (and tips/gratuities if required) will be billed to the tent number and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or MasterCard.

Air Strip Details
Located 1 hour boat and vehicle drive from camp
Licensed for heavier aircraft up to 5700kg MAUW (maximum all up weight), can take King Airs
Air strip co-ordinates: S19.18.59 E022.35.20
Airstrip services Jao Camp, Kwetsani and Jacana Camps.

Flying Times
to/from Maun 35 minutes
to/from Kasane 1hr 25 minutes
Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes but allow additional time for customs and immigration

Electricity
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).
Guests tents and main areas lit by hurricane lamps.
Video battery can be charged when guests on game drives. Hence bring spare battery and charging unit.
Solar heated water

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The Okavango Delta

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