Extraordinary Africa>Botswana>Okavango Delta and Moremi>Jacana
If you went on safari seeking the essence of the Okavango Delta, Jacana Camp might well be where you ended up. In a country where rain is valued so highly they named the currency after it, this is a true water camp.
What’s Jacana Camp really like?
Jacana was once an extremely rustic camp, and while it’s been upgraded over the years, it has lost none of its wild charm. The camp’s perched on tiny islands, thick with beautiful palms, figs and mangosteen trees. There are just five tents at Jacana, looking out over the Okavango floodplain, and when water levels are high they come right up to camp. The rooms are light, fresh, and natural feeling, with canvas walls and roofs, wooden decks and an ensuite bathroom- all of the rooms have outside baths- if you haven’t tried these before, you are in for a treat! From the rooms sandy paths lead to the double height main area of the camp- all set on decking with a dining room and several quiet seating areas. Outside there’s a small but perfectly-formed pool, and a fire-pit deck which, rather magically, is surrounded by water during the peak of the flood.
What can I do at Jacana?
Jacana Camp provides a rather delightful break from the action packed, and often dusty safaris elsewhere. Days here are a peaceful wander and a potter, heading out for gentle mokoro trips through the reeds and water lilies and on slightly faster motorboat safaris. Needless to say, birding is spectacular, and you’re sure to see plenty of hippos spluttering indignantly and crocs slithering silently into the water as you pass. Keen fishermen might also try to snag a tiger fish- though beware, this is not as easy as it may sound! It is possible take a boat to a larger island for game drives, and (with some advance notice) arrange walking safaris, however we’d say this would really be missing the point of Jacana- you’d find those more easily elsewhere and what makes Jacana special is the chance to spend so much of your day afloat. Please note though- all activities in the Okavango Delta are totally dependent on water levels, so no matter what we tell you, Mother Nature may have other plans!
Giving back at Jacana Camp:
Jacana is a 100% solar-powered camp. In addition to this, Jacana works closely with the local community to ensure they benefit from tourism and safeguard the long-term sustainability of this fragile area. They work to reduce overfishing and poaching, and each year Jacana hosts children from the local community to learn about the environment and their natural heritage. The camp is also involved in several community projects, and if you would like to contribute to these they are part of the Pack for A Purpose programme.
Want to know more? We’ve been here so just
EXTRAORDINARY AFRICA 