The camp is set in the most densely populated wetland area for Sitatunga antelope and Red Lechwe. Hippos and Crocodiles are regularly sited. In the dry season Red Lechwe, Tsessebe, Wildebeest and Zebra occur here, and Lions, Cheetah and Leopard are often sited on the floodplains. Larger mammals in the area can include Elephant and Buffalo. This is an area of prime importance for a host of wetland bird species, including Wattled Cranes, Pel's Fishing Owls, both species of Jacanas (African Jacana- pictured above and the Lesser Jacana) as well as other seldom sighted species such as Rails, Crakes and Moorhens. Jacana Camp has five small meru-style tents accommodating a maximum of eight guests. Each tent is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains and has an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and shower. The main dining area is on the top floor of an elevated wooden deck between two magnificent sycamore figs and surrounded by dense wild date palms. Downstairs, there is a cozy pub and lounge with an area for an open fire under the stars. Complimentary laundry services are provided.

In search of peace and quiet, the Okavango Delta is where you find it. The Pel's Owl stares, the Lechwe run, the birds soar and the crickets play their wooden chimes. Those are the good times. The mekoros glide on passes through the tall grasses. The camp has friendly faces and food to die for. Now, who can could ask for more? A.D., UK

All staff were very kind and friendly. Our stay was the best stay of our trip. Excellent explanation of all animals and birds. Mekoro lessons for my son Peter. Food was fantastic.
Carol Lampson and Peter Lampson

The staff is extremely well trained and very efficient. A wonderful place. Thank you, all.
D.S. and B.V., USA

Really enjoyed our stay here. For me this is the Okavango! Thank you to everyone, especially to Wago, a very knowledgeable and lovely person. Thanks for letting George try the poling.
George Foxton

I would recommend this camp to anyone who wanted to visit Africa. The traditional African meal, singing and dancing on the final night capped off a magnificent experience. K.P., USA

Jacana Camp was, in my opinion, the best place we visited. K.P., USA

The food was exceptional and we liked the mokoros. L.W. and L.W., USA

From start to finish our stay was fantastic. The Pilot friendly and the flight great. The Managers – David and Karen really went all out even though we were the only guests. They really made us feel welcome and nothing was ever too much trouble for them. The food was really good and always plentiful. Our room was very nice, comfortable and cozy with lots of good information about the Delta. Our guides managed to show us a wide variety of animals and plants and educated us on how the islands and Delta were formed. They did a great job always checking that things were O K with us. Many thanks to all! Patsy and Art Boughan

I just wanted to follow up and let you know that the Botswana Jacana Safari that we recently completed was just perfect. We went on to safari in Kenya and to work on an Earthwatch Project. We have now seen enough of Kenya but I really want to go back on a Wilderness Safari in Botswana. The Jacana Camp was just about the best run tourist operation that I have ever seen. Our guide, Roger Briggs, was by far, the best naturalist guide that we have ever encountered. He is an absolute credit to a Wilderness Safaris. Again, Thank you for your able help. We hope to repeat sometime in the future. Thank you,R & S H

Wonderful place - very relaxing. S.P., Canada

We enjoyed the peace, tranquility and wonderful service at Jacana. S.W. and U.W., Belgium

The Jao Reserve (Wildlife Management Area NG25) is 60 000 hectares in extent and is in the north-western area of the Okavango Delta below the panhandle. The Moremi Game Reserve forms the eastern boundary of the reserve. Lying as it does in the very heart of the Delta, the Jao Reserve embodies all the magic and mystique of the Okavango. Narrow water channels cut their way through the papyrus and reed beds in the permanent delta to the north and east of the reserve, providing the perfect environment for the elusive sitatunga and the rare Pel's Fishing Owl. Beautiful lush palm islands dot the water, begging to be explored, and Jacana Camp is built on one such lush and thickly forested island. In the central region of the reserve, vast open floodplains provide some of the most stunning scenery of the region. Jao Camp lies in the southern side of the plains and Kwetsani Camp is 5 miles further north on the same floodplain system. This area of the reserve has beautiful islands fringed with riverine forests. Further west the reserve gets progressively dryer and Hunda island which is the tip of a large sand tongue is the largest area of dry land during the flood season. Hunda island has sandveld vegetation supporting many species of nutritious acacia and grewia shrubs which provide excellent browsing. Tubu Tree Camp is built on the western side of Hunda island. Jao and Kwetsani Camps are situated on islands with breathtaking scenery and have a great diversity of activities on offer. The largest concentrations of endangered Wattled Crane are found in this area. The birdlife is simply stunning: Slaty Egrets, Pink-throated Longclaws and African Skimmers are some of the specials that can be seen. The lion prides in this area have been studied for the past 5 years by our resident guide, Grant, and a good record has been built up allowing us more intimate knowledge of their behaviour. Jacana is a traditional Delta water camp, built on a small exquisite wooded palm island. Tubu Tree Camp is situated in the area with the most palatable grasses and the largest area of permanently dry land and so usually has the more abundant game viewing experience. There are two platform hides in the Reserve. Only 48 beds are developed in 4 camps in the entire remote reserve, ensuring an exclusive and personal wilderness experience. The majority of the staff in the camps are locals from the area, either BaYei tribesman or MaXaniqwe (River Bushmen) and know the area like the back of their hands. Many of these people were born on islands nearby and have an intimate knowledge and passion for the area which is hard to beat. They take great joy in imparting their local knowledge and culture to our visitors and love sharing their singing and dancing with guests. Many of our guests rate their interactions with the staff as the most enjoyable element of their stay. Although this Wildlife Management Area is a hunting concession, a moratorium has been declared on hunting. Every year we reserve our quota, so that those animals cannot be re-allocated to another area and are thus saved from being hunted. We believe that with the same level of protection that the Moremi Game Reserve has enjoyed over the past 40 years, the Jao Reserve has the potential as a wildlife area equal to that of the Moremi.

David and Cathy Kays and their families, and Kingsley Mogalakwe are the long-term leaseholders of Jao Reserve. The Kays are one of Maun's oldest families. David's great grandfather first came to Ngamiland in 1887. In 1912 the Kays family settled in Tsau, at that time the headquarters of the Batawana tribe (Maun was not yet founded). When the Batawana tribe decided to establish a new village at Maun and move its headquarters there in the mid-1920's, the Kays family moved with them. David's father, Ronnie, was instrumental in advising the Batawana Tribal Authorities on the formation of Moremi Game Reserve and assisted in the demarcation of the reserve's boundaries. Kingsley Mogalakwe is from a prominent and well-known Maun family. His uncle, Montsho Mogalakwe, was also instrumental in the formation of Moremi Game Reserve and has now retired from service in Maun as the deputy chief for Ngamiland. Like all families raised in and around the Okavango, wildlife was in their blood, and they spent most of their lives out in the bush. When they won the rights for the Jao Reserve in the recent tender process, they were determined to make this Botswana's finest reserve. They turned their backs on hunting, even though it is allowed in this reserve. They are only the second reserve in Botswana not to hunt, when hunting is allowed. They have decided to focus all their efforts on developing Jao into a superb photographic reserve, but in the process they lose about US$300,000 in hunting revenue every year to ensure great game viewing and a superb wildlife product in the long term. The two camps they have built ~ Jao and Kwetsani ~ are two of the top camps in the Okavango.

Jacana camp and offers mokoro and walking safaris all year round. As the floodwaters recede game driving and night drives in open 4x4 land rovers are available from October to March. During the height of the floods, the activities at Jacana Camp revolve around exploring the waterways of the Okavango by mokoro (dugout canoe), motor boat and on foot. Traveling silently by mokoro is a wonderful way to experience the Okavango as you glide silently through the shallow flood plains enjoying the magnificent bird and aquatic life. One of the highlights is searching for the rare and elusive sitatunga antelope or to explore wooded islands to stalk the rare Pel's Fishing Owl, one of the largest owls in the world. Taking a mokoro ride to a distant island, then stopping for a lengthy walk before enjoying a leisurely brunch on a sandy bank is a good way to appreciate the true wilderness atmosphere and unique scenery and wildlife of the Okavango - with no one else around us. Travel by motorboat, searching for the perfect fishing spot. Guests may also boat across the channels to take a game drive on the plains to the west of Jacana viewing large herds of Red Lechwe and often spotting predators in pursuit. In the dry season (November to March) vehicles can drive through the shallow sandy river crossings for game drives as well as interesting night drives. 

The suggested guideline for tipping is $10 per person a day at each property visited. The tips are collectively gathered from all guests after their stay at each property and distributed amongst the staff, you either give the tips to the manager or usually there is a staff tip box within which to put your tips. The tips are then divided equally amongst all the staff on the property. Many people like to leave a little extra with their dedicated guides on game drives as they spend so much time with them and it is perfectly fine to give the tip directly to the guide. For guides we suggest approximately $30-$50 total for a stay of 3 days. If you feel your guide has been exceptional, some guests will sometimes give up to $100.

Botswana is an all-year-round wildlife destination. However, there are certain seasonal concerns of which groups with special interests should take note: The best birding months are November - March, when the delta is brimming with migratory birds. The best botanical months are December - May, when the vegetation is lush and green and most plants are in flower. Botswana’s popularity as a destination is such that seasonal differences are not as marked as in other African destinations. Traditionally, however, peak season is from July to October and middle season is from May to June. Note that availability is at a premium during these seasons so you will need to book well in advance. November to April is a less popular time for travel to Botswana. This is the wet season, and due to the abundance of water it is less certain that one will see wildlife at perennial water holes. Also, the heavy rains can make dirt roads impassable.