Jao Camp

Jao Camp has an island of its own deep in the Okavango Delta, on the private Jao Reserve, where river channels, floodplain and forest come together. The camp is tucked in among the trees, and its contemporary architecture pairs steel, wood and glass with natural and recycled materials. Tall, open interiors draw in the light and the landscape, so the floodplains are in view from almost every angle. There are just five suites and two villas, each with its own plunge pool.

Water sets the pace: when the flood is high guests arrive by boat, and as the Delta retreats the focus shifts to the land. The main area, with an indoor fireplace and an outdoor fire, a lounge, a bar and satellite decks, is joined by a gallery holding a library, a curio shop and a wine cellar. There is also a two-room spa, a swimming pool and a fully equipped gym, and the whole camp runs on solar power.

Depending on the flood levels, the camp runs safaris both on land and on the water. The reserve is known for its predators — lions are often seen wading through the channels, alongside leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas — as well as big herds of elephant and buffalo, sitatunga, red lechwe, hippos and crocodiles.

• day and night game drives with experienced guides, including private drives, across floodplains and dry islands;
• seasonal mokoro trips with a poler through quiet, lily-lined channels;
• seasonal motorboat outings along the deeper waterways;
• guided walks that focus on tracks, plants, insects and birds easily missed from a vehicle;
• birding, with more than 450 species recorded in the Delta;
• seasonal catch-and-release fishing for tilapia and African pike;
• scenic helicopter flights, with the option of being dropped at a spot set up for sundowners;
• a swimming pool and a fully equipped gym.