Wilderness Jacana

Highlights

• An intimate and authentic Okavango experience with tangible exposure to the seasonal Delta waters, as the camp is situated on a small island.
• The semi-permanent water allows encounters with the fascinating creatures that flourish in this unique environment, from hippos, crocodiles and water-loving elephants, to a wealth of waterbirds, including the emblematic African jacana.
• Numerous Okavango specials abound, including wattled crane, Pel’s fishing-owl, sitatunga and red lechwe.

Destination: Discover true paradise on this secluded tree-island in the beautifully scenic Jao Flats area of the Jao Reserve. Surrounded by seasonally inundated floodplains and papyrus swamps, this attractive camp is built on raised wooden decks to maximise the glorious views over the ever-changing landscape. The waters’ ebb and flow brings different wildlife and fresh new adventures with every season.  

Experience: Guests can look forward to close encounters with aquatic specialists like African jacana, aptly nicknamed lily trotters, as they delicately step from one waterlily pad to the next. Marvel at the pods of hippos, and elephants that come in to drink. Embark on game drives in the summer months after the inundation has receded, scanning for lion, wild dog, and elusive leopard. And stretch your legs on a nature trail with our passionate guides, who will teach guests even more about the wildlife. At night, share tales around the floating fire deck with a 220-degree view of the immense floodplains, long into the star-filled night.

Purpose: By partnering with the Tubu Joint Management Committee and Pack for a Purpose, our Children in the Wilderness initiative at Jacana inspires and educates children in the Okavango Delta, opening their eyes and minds to the importance of protecting the environment. By staying with us, guests directly contribute to Jacana’s community upliftment, and help to shape the next generation of custodians of the wild.

Wildlife: Wilderness Jacana is set in the Jao Reserve, which offers over 60,000 hectares of pristine  wilderness to explore. Wildlife concentrations in this area of the Okavango depend on water flow and volume, changing from season to season.  In the summer months when the Delta waters are low, look out for lechwe, tsessebe, and large herds of elephant. You may also spot lion, and occasionally leopard as game drives are possible at this time. However, a true wetland area, it is the perfect home for Africa’s only amphibious antelope, the rare sitatunga, and abundant red lechwe. Birding is exceptional here, with a wealth of water birds on parade. Spot Pel's fishing-owls, and African and lesser jacanas, as well as other Okavango specials such as slaty egret and African pygmy-goose.

Wilderness Jacana: Nestled amongst dense palms, magnificent trees and surrounded by seasonally inundated floodplains, Jacana is an intimate island experience. Just five tents are set on raised wooden decks to maximise the panoramic views of the broad channels fronting the camp.

The elevated double-storey main area is framed by dense wild date palms and an enormous canopy of mangosteens. The pool, raised bar area, jetty and floating fire deck, as well as the expansive viewing deck, offer guests the quintessential Okavango Delta water camp experience.