Jacana is a charming little camp set on a private island in Jao Concession, a reserve of 150,000 acres just west of Moremi Game Reserve. Owned and managed by luxury safari operator Wilderness Safaris, Jacana Camp has plenty of character as well as a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It offers reliably good game-viewing throughout the year, with a particular emphasis on water activities (many parts of Jao concession are permanently flooded).
Jacana Camp is open all year round.
Accommodation
At the heart of Jacana Camp is a two-storey open-air lounge and dining area, which looks out onto the Jao Flats and Hunda Island. The views from the top floor are marvellous, especially in the evening as the sun sets over the plains. Separate to the main building is a small swimming pool and an enclosed boma and fire pit.
Jacana Camp has just 6 tented rooms, raised several feet from the ground on high wooden platforms so as to make the most of the views. They are fairly simply furnished, but they offer lots of space compared to most safari tents. They open at the back onto private bathrooms with outdoor showers.
Despite having 6 tents (one of which is a family unit housing up to four guests), Jacana Camp has a policy of not accepting more than 10 guests at a time so as to maintain an intimate atmosphere. The family unit is typically left empty.
Dining
Meals at Jacana Camp are served on the upper deck of the lodge’s main building, overlooking the floodplain. All meals are presented buffet-style.
Dinner is usually followed by drinks served around the campfire.
Activities
Jacana is primarily a water-based camp, with mokoro safaris the primary activity, though game drives and walking safaris are also offered. Oct-Mar is a good time to visit if you’re interested in big game-viewing, as the water levels begin to drop opening up the plains to greater quantities of game.
That said, Jacana isn’t a big game camp, whatever time of year you choose to visit. Don’t expect to see the huge herds of plains game that can be seen in drier regions of the Delta. Safaris at Jacana are conducted at an altogether more leisurely pace—this is the camp to visit if you’re after relaxing mokoro rides on the narrow Delta waterways, not if you’re hoping to track wild dog and big cats on the plains. In many ways it’s the quintessential Okavango Delta safari camp. Permanently surrounded by water and accessible only by boat, it has a wonderfully isolated feel.
It’s also worth noting that Jao Camp is located on an elephant migration route, offering some of the best elephant sightings in the Okavango.
Facilities
Bar and lounge
Dining room
Swimming pool
Boma
Child Policy
Jacana Camp accepts children over the age of 12. Younger children (6-12) may be accepted on request, but you will be required to book separate game-viewing vehicles at an additional cost.
There’s a family tent available at Jacana Camp, which accommodates two adults and two children. It generally needs to be booked well in advance, as Jacana Camp only accepts a limited number of guests.
