Botswana’s Okovango Delta has got to be one of the most unique wildlife sanctuaries in the world. What makes it so remarkable is that
it is a wetland paradise situated within the arid Kalahari Desert. The Okovango River gets its water from a source some 1000 km away in the highlands of Angola. Each year these flood waters accumulate
and drain down into the lowland catchment areas at the end of the Great African Rift Valley creating the largest inland delta in the world covering over 15 000km2. This fan of rivers and channels interspersed with islands creates a unique thriving ecological paradise which supports an incredible amount of animals and birdlife as well as the large predators. Green wetlands, forested islands and meandering streams create an environment of expansive and exquisite beauty untouched by human interference.
Activities in the area include safaris by boat and dugout canoe (mokoro) to see the water area; game drives and night drives in open vehicles to track the larger animals and wonderful walks which enable you to revel in the quiet and solitude of nature and are a great way to enjoy game viewing and birding.
The delta offers water based camps and land based camps which offer a varied experience, each one offering complete privacy and pristine environment. Game viewing is at its best during the dry season April to October, when the majority of natural pans have dried up.
Southern Africa / Botswana / Okovango Delta
Jao Camp
Okovango Delta
Jao Camp is located on a large, remote island in a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta.
With varied habitats ranging from waterways and lagoons to dry Kalahari grasslands and open floodplains, Jao can offer both land and water experiences, depending on the current flood levels. This luxurious camp is
a tranquil base for a wonderful Okavango experience.
The Jao Concession is 60 000 hectares in extent and is in the north-western area of the Okavango Delta below the Panhandle. The Moremi Game Reserve forms the eastern boundary of the concession. The Okavango rests between shallow fault lines at the end of the Great African Rift Valley. Deserts are low on annual rainfall and the Okavango Delta is no exception. However, each year floodwater flows into the Okavango from its source in the moist African highlands over 1000 km away. These floodwaters flow from their catchment southwards and into the Kalahari Desert to create a unique wetland that supports and sustains a huge diversity of wildlife. Lying as it does in the very heart of the Delta, the Jao Concession embodies all the magic and mystique of the Okavango. Narrow water channels cut their way through the papyrus and reed beds in the permanent delta to the north and east of the Concession, providing the perfect environment for the elusive sitatunga and the rare Pel's Fishing-Owl. Beautiful lush palm islands dot the water, begging to be explored. Further west the area gets progressively dryer and Hunda Island, which is the tip of a large 'sand tongue,' is the largest area of dry land in the vicinity during the flood season. Hunda Island has sandveld vegetation supporting many species of nutritious acacia and grewia shrubs which provide excellent browsing. It is perhaps the birds for which the true wetland areas of the Okavango are best known however. The largest concentrations of endangered Wattled Crane are found in this area and Slaty Egrets, Rosy-throated Longclaws and African Skimmer are some of the specials that can be seen. Hallowed species such as Pel's Fishing-Owl and Slaty Egret are found alongside more conspicuous and commonly seen Coppery-tailed Coucal, Pygmy Goose, while the specialised African Skimmer (from which Wilderness Safaris takes its logo) may be seen on the larger lagoons and channels. The concession is set in the most densely populated wetland area for sitatunga antelope and red lechwe, and of course hippo and crocodile are regularly sighted. In the dry season lechwe, tsessebe, elephant, wildebeest and zebra occur here, and lion, cheetah and leopard are often sighted on the floodplains. The lion prides in this area have been extensively studied in recent years, thereby building up a more intimate knowledge of their behaviour.
During the flood from April to September, lechwe are plentiful and lion follow them. Elephant numbers peak from August to November. Plains game is evident and there are good leopard sightings. Hunda Island offers a wide variety of different animals and is a must at least once if accessible. Birdlife is excellent – especially during the summer months.
Rooms Number of tented rooms:
9 tents in total consisting of:
• 6 x ¾ twin bedded tents
• 1 x Family room – accommodates 4 guests comfortably but can accommodate 5 guests on request
• 2 x king size bedded honeymoon tents
• 1 x twin guides tent (smaller than guest tent)
This camp can accommodate 18 guests + 1 tour leader
In the Rooms
Via raised walkways from the main communal area
Luxury canvas cottages, raised off-ground on poles, wooden doors, thatch roof
En-suite facilities with bath, his & hers basins, outdoor shower, slippers and gowns for guests.
Each room has a veranda with spectacular vistas over the floodplains.
Fans in all guest rooms
Soap, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in rooms.
Safe in each tent
Facilities:
Dining room, pub and lounge under thatch, on poles, overlooking the floodplains
Curio shop
Landscape view from lounge and dining area.
Kgotla (boma) for dining under the stars (weather permitting)
Massage Sala
2 Yoga mats available for guest use
Library
Evening campfire
Two plunge pool
Wine cellar
Slide projector available
Gym
Things to do:
30% Game Drives and 70% Water Activities (but very much dependant on flood levels and time of year).
In the summer months, activities tend more towards game drives, whereas in the winter months mainly water-based activities are offered.)
Land game drives in 5 x 10 seater open 4x4 Land Rovers each accommodating a maximum of 7 guests, allowing all guests an outside seat.
Full day game drives and picnics on Hunda Island – a 45min boat ride away from
Night drives with spotlights.
Private activities available on request.
Game walks.
Water game viewing in 2 x 2-seater glass-bottomed mokoro (dug-out canoe), and 12 x 2 seater mokoro.
2 x 12-seater boat used in the waterways to the east of camp.
Fishing – on a catch and release basis; basic rods and reels supplied by camp but fly-fishing equipment to be supplied by guest.
A raised hide located about 20 minutes from camp (which can be used for sleep-outs – maximum 4 people at a time – and is equipped with a long-drop loo).
Suggested Daily Activity Schedule Summer/winter
05h00/06h00 Wake up call. Light continental breakfast consisting of cereals, tea/coffee/juices and pastries to be served in the dining area.
05h30/06h30 Depart on morning activity, returning to camp at approximately 10h00.
10h00/11h00 Brunch will be served – this will consist of a selection of breakfast and lunch dishes. From now until afternoon tea, guests will be at leisure; are able to make use of the masseuse.
16h00/15h00 Afternoon tea will be served – consists of a selection of sweet and savoury snacks.
16h30/15h30 Depart on afternoon game viewing activity – drinks and snacks will be served for sundowners during the course of the activity.
19h30/19h00 Return to camp (but could be later if good game sightings).
19h30/20h00 Pre-dinner drinks and snacks will be served at the lounge.
20h30/20h00 Three-course dinner, plated
21h30/21h00 Cheese, coffee and liqueurs will be served at the campfire.
Children: Children over the age of 8 are welcome
Restaurant: Meals are included in the tarriff
Credit Card: Visa or MasterCard.
Additional Information: All drinks are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of premium wines and champagne, and premium liqueurs and spirits. Laundry is done on a daily basis and is inclusive in the nightly tariff. Flying times to/from Maun 35 minutes; to/from Kasane 1 hr 25 minutes; Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes
Southern Africa / Botswana / Okovango Delta
Untitled Document
BEST TIME TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO
1. Bird Watching
A broad mix of habitats ensures that Botswana attracts a huge variety of bird species. More than 550 species have been recorded including 440 in the Okovango region and 460 in the Kasane region. Each year during the rainy season the Makgadigadi Pans fills up with water attracting hundreds of thousands of colourful migrating water birds to the region. The best time to visit is between November and March when the intra African and European migrants are present.
2. Fishing
More than 80 species of fish with tiger, bream and barbel being the most common are found in the Okovango Delta and Chobe River systems.
3. Game Viewing
Botswana is arguably one of the best safari destinations in the world with more than 37% of its land area set aside for national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas. It boasts the largest elephant population in the world and is home to over 164 mammal species and 157 reptile species. Some of the most animal rich national parks include Chobe National park, Moremi Game Reserve/Okovango Delta, Tuli Game Reserve, Central Kalahari game Reserve and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. You can safari by vehicle, boat or by foot. Best game viewing months are in the dry season between May and August when the animals congregate near the water.
4. Rock Art
West of the Okovango Delta in the Tsodilo Hills there are more than 4000 rock paintings at 500 individual sites chronicling thousands of years of human life in the area. Botswana is still home to around 3000 San (or Bushmen) people who follow a hunter-gatherer tradition dating back 100 000 years. Some of these communities can be found close to Tsodilo Hills.
CAPITAL: Gaborone
CLIMATE:
Summer: Summer runs from November to April and it is very hot and wet. Day time temperatures can be as high as 38 degrees C with night time temperatures averaging around 23C. It is also Botswana’s rainy season with most rains falling in the afternoon.
Winter: Winter runs from May to October and is dry, sunny and cool with daytime temperatures averaging 20C and nights averaging around 5 C
COMMUNICATION:
The international country code is +267
All major cities have good cellular network coverage, but once you go off the main routes or into the national parks there is no reception.
Internet cafes are available in Gaborone, Maun, Kasane and Francistown
ELECTRICITY:
220/240V. Two plug types are used: a three round pin and a two parallel flat pin with rectangular grounder. Many of the game lodges rely on generators for power.
LANGUAGE:
The official language is English and it is spoken widely, especially in the tourist areas. The national language is Setswana.
TIME: GMT + 2 hours
ENTERING AND GETTING AROUND:
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX: None
ARRIVAL BY AIR:
Botswana has 3 main airport arrival hubs being Gaborone, Maun and Kasane
CUSTOMS:
Duty free allowance of 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits, 50 ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
Botswana strictly enforces its laws regarding the trade in animal products and it is illegal to remove any living or dead animal or trophy made from an animal without a government permit.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
A valid passport is required to enter Botswana and the validity date needs to be atleast 6 months after the visitor intends to leave the country. Visitors may also be asked to produce outgoing travel documents and proof of sufficient funds to finance their stay. All visitors must check for visa requirements and these need to be obtained prior to travel. No visas are issued at port of entry.
HEALTH
Please check with your local doctor on which immunizations are deemed necessary and whether malaria prophylactics should be taken. Northern Botswana is considered a malaria risk area between November and May/June.
It is strongly recommended that you ensure that you have adequate medical insurance when visiting Botswana as private hospitals will turn away patients who cannot demonstrate ability to pay. Make sure this includes medical evacuation insurance.
MONEY
ATM’S: Available in most major towns
BANKS: There are 4 commercial banks in Botswana with branches in most major towns and villages. These are Barclays bank of Botswana, First National Bank of Botswana, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Standard Chartered Bank. Opening hours vary but most banks are open Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 15h30. Saturdays from 08h15 to 10h45.
CREDIT CARDS: Most hotels, lodges and main town restaurants and shops accept credit cards. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club cards are widely accepted, but not all vendors accept all 4.
CURRENCY: The official currency is the Pula (BWP) which is available in denominations of P10, P20, P50 and P100 in notes. P1, P2, P5 and available in coins. Smaller units are called thebe
FOREIGN EXCHANGE:
Money can be changed at banks and government authorised Bureaux de Change. Many hotels and lodges will accept foreign currency. Bureaux de Change are found in major towns and Gaborone and Maun airports.
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES:
Travellers cheques can be cashed at Bureaux de Change and banks and are usually accepted by most hotels and game lodges.
Botswana’s Okovango Delta has got to be one of the most unique wildlife sanctuaries in the world. What makes it so remarkable is that
