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Jao Camp is situated in a private reserve on a remote large island, to the west of the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Across the waterway in front of the camp, guests have access to open flood plains and savannah for a wonderful Okavango experience.
Guests are accommodated in nine large and spacious rooms. Each of the unique and beautiful twin-bedded canvas and thatched rooms has been individually handcrafted under the direction of renowned architects Sylvio Rech and Leslie Carstens. The rooms are built under a canopy of shady trees, with en-suite bathroom, hot and cold running water, a large bath and double vanity. There is an additional outside shower under the stars for those more adventurous guests who want to shower closer to nature. There is an outdoor "sala" for guests to enjoy midday siestas with a view and a breeze. The rooms are raised off the ground and offer wonderful views of the surrounding flood plains.
A raised walkway connects the rooms to the dining room and lounge area. There is a plunge pool and an outdoor 'boma' for dining under the stars, as well as an excellent wine cellar. Jao also offers a Salon with a fulltime therapist, offering a wide range of massage treatments. The activities at Jao include mokoro (dug out canoe) excursions, boats, fishing, day and night game drives and guided walks. If the area has a large flood, we usually have to boat to a large island, called Hunda Island, where vehicles would be waiting and the game drives start.
The area is extremely seasonal and the annual flood transforms the habitat from dry green open plains in summer to shallow flood plains in the winter. Access to this area is only by aircraft.
LOCATION
To the west of Mombo.
In the private consession (called the Jao Reserve).
Bordering the Moremi Game Reserve.
ACCOMMODATION
Number of tented rooms:
9 tents in total consisting of:
• 6 x ¾ twin bedded tents
• 1 x Family room - accommodates 5 guests
• 2 x honeymoon tents
• 1 x twin guides tent - same standard as guest tent, only smaller in size
This camp can accommodate 18 guests + 1 tour leader
Room details:
Via raised walkways from the main communal area
Luxuary canvas cottages, raised off-ground on poles, wood doors, thatch roof
En-suite facilities with bath, his & hers basins and outdoor shower, slippers and gowns for guests.
Each room has a veranda with with a spectacular vista over the floodplains, as well as a 'sala'
Fans in all guest rooms
Soap, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in rooms.
CAMP DESCRIPTION
• Dining room, pub & lounge under thatch, on poles, overlooking the floodplains
• Curio shop
• Landscape view from lounge & dining area.
• Boma for dining under the stars (weather permitting)
• Library
• Evening campfire
• 2 plunge pools
• Wine cellar
• Massage salon with full time therapist
• Slide projector available
• Private dining arranged
GAME VIEWING
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.
ACTIVITIES
30% Game Drives and 70% Water Activities (but very much dependant on flood levels & 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 4 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 Jao Camp.
• Night drives (depending on flood levels.)
• Private activities available on request.
• Game walks.
• Water game viewing in 2 x 2 seater glass bottomed Mekoro (a traditional dug-out canoe), and 6 x 2 seater Mekoro
• 1 x 8 seater and 1 x 12 seater boats used in the waterways to the east of camp.
• Fishing on a catch and release basis (can book fly fishing with specialist fly fisher - Grant. This must be booked prior to travel). 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, has a long drop loo)
• Siesta activities can be arranged, such as short walks, talks, candle making, paper making and mekoro poling lessons
SUGGESTED DAILY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE
Below is only a suggestion as to what may happen in camp - as daily wildlife sightings tend to throw the schedule right out of 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. Maybe make use of the masseuse.
16h00/15h00 - Afternoon tea will be served - this will consist 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 which is plated,
21h30/21h00 - Cheese, coffee and liqueurs will be served at the camp fire.
ELECTRICITY & WATER
• Camp has 220v battery powered electricity runs 24 hours a day.
• Video battery can be charged. Hence bring spare battery and charging unit.
• No facilities for hairdryers or electric shavers.
• Battery power is used for lighting and fans in each guest tent 24hrs/day.
• Water heated by solar panel and electric geyser
DRINKS POLICY
All drinks are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of premium wines & champagne, and premium liqueurs & spirits.
LAUNDY POLICY
Laundry is done on a daily basis and is inclusive in the nightly tariff with 'smalls' i.e. underwear, being washed in an individual small bag provided.
EXTRAS PAYMENT
Curios, Massages and or imported drinks will be billed to the tent number (and tips/gratuities if requested by the guest) and settled on check out. Payment can be effected by cash (US$), travellers' cheques or the following credit cards: Visa or Master Card.
FLYING TIMES
• To/from Maun 35 minutes
• To/from Kasane 1 hr 25 minutes
• Kasane to Victoria Falls 20 minutes
GRATUITY SCHEDULE
The following is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standard:
Guides - US$5.00 per person per day
General Camp Staff - US$3.00 per person per day
Mokoro Paddlers - US$3.00 per person per day
Specialist Guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
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