Welcome to the Jao Reserve, one of the most iconic private reserves in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Here, a remarkable mosaic of floodplains, palm islands, winding channels, and rich woodland habitats creates one of the most diverse safari landscapes in Africa. Within the reserve, six distinctive camps, Jao, Kwetsani, Tubu Tree, Little Tubu, Jacana, and Pelo, offer different perspectives of this extraordinary Delta environment. Each camp is positioned in a unique setting, allowing guests to experience the changing character of the Okavango across its varied habitats. The Jao Reserve is renowned for the variety of safari experiences it offers. Venture out on open-vehicle game drives through woodland and grassland, glide quietly through waterlily-filled channels by mokoro, or explore the Delta by boat as seasonal floodwaters transform the landscape. Wildlife encounters are equally diverse, from large herds of lechwe and buffalo moving across the floodplains to the excitement of tracking predators such as lion and leopard. Bird enthusiasts are also rewarded with exceptional birdlife throughout the reserve. This is the Okavango Delta in its full richness, dynamic, diverse, and unforgettable.

This video highlights the delivery of the new Toyota Land Cruiser safari vehicles travelling from Maun into the Jao Reserve. These vehicles replace our long-serving heritage fleet of Land Rovers and form part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a modern, reliable fleet in one of Africa’s most remote safari environments. Operating in the Okavango Delta presents unique logistical challenges, and ensuring that our vehicles and equipment remain in top operating condition is essential to delivering a safe and comfortable safari experience. Purpose-built for comfort, safety, and exceptional visibility, these custom game viewer vehicles allow guests to explore the Delta from an elevated perspective. Spacious seating, open sides, and uninterrupted window views ensure that every guest enjoys a prime vantage point for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicles are used for daily safari activities across the reserve and are designed to carry up to six guests, with each seat offering excellent visibility of the surrounding wilderness. For many guests, the journey from the airstrip to camp, and every drive that follows, is where the safari truly begins.