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At a glance

  • Contemporary camp with individually designed villas and suites, all with private plunge pools
  • Water-based safaris by boat and mokoro combine with thrilling game drives
  • Museum and gallery featuring a full giraffe skeleton, intricate maps and reems of Okavango history
  • Jao Spa tucked away under African ebony trees
  • Jao star bed offers the opportunity to sleep out beneath the stars

Overview

Rebuilt in 2019, Jao Camp resides beneath a canopy of trees on its own remote island in the 60,000-hectare Jao Reserve, deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta. A botanical theme is carried throughout the lodge, complemented by wonderful African artworks and sculptures. The five luxurious suites and two villas have been designed to take full advantage of the spectacular surroundings and come with indoor and outdoor showers, lounge and dining areas, plus expansive decks with private plunge pools. Families will love the new two-bedroom villas, which come with their own vehicle, guide, chef and butler.

When to visit

  • January
    32ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    19ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    110mm
    Average Rainfall
    January is in the peak of the green season, with hot sunny spells punctuated by spectacular afternoon thunderstorms, providing welcome relief from the summer heat. Birding is excellent at this time as it's peak breeding time for many of the migrant bird species. Game viewing is reasonable in the delta with many predators chasing the fast-developing young of their prey species. It's also an ideal month for photography due to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Ironically, the floodplains tend to dry up around now so many camps are unable to offer water-based safaris such as mokoro excursions. This is a significantly more affordable time of year to visit Botswana, however some camps do close.
  • February
    32ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    19ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    97mm
    Average Rainfall
    February continues into the peak of the green season with hot, humid days punctuated by spectacular thunderstorms. Birding is excellent with many migrant species still around. You may still see some animals giving birth, which means plenty of predators in search of an easy meal. February is also excellent for photography with dramatic skies and vibrant landscapes bursting with colour. This is peak flowering time for the water lilies and the reed frogs are colourful and noisy. As the floodplains in the delta tend to be dry at this time of year, camps that are not located near permanent water channels are unable to offer water-based safari activities. But the green season does offer the opportunity to stay in some truly wonderful camps at greatly reduced rates.
  • March
    31ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    88mm
    Average Rainfall
    March sees the temperatures start to cool down, although days are still hot and humid. The rains also start to ease off, however afternoon thunderstorms are still to be expected. March remains an excellent month for landscape photography with dramatic skies and clear air. In the delta the Marula trees start to drop their fruit, attracting bull elephants who wander from tree to tree in search of their favourite meal, often right into camp. The floodplains remain dry, so water-based activities are limited, apart from at camps near deeper, permanent water channels. March remains an excellent time for bird watching with many migrant species in their breeding plumage.
  • April
    31ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    28mm
    Average Rainfall
    April is a transitional month between summer and the start of winter. Days continue to be hot and sunny, however the evenings are starting to get cooler. Rainfall has almost ceased across the country, although there may still be a few scattered showers. As the temperatures can vary significantly between the day and night, layers are recommended. April signals the start of the impala rutting season, a great time to witness dramatic clashes between rival males fighting it out for females.
  • May
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    5mm
    Average Rainfall
    May signals the start of the dry season and there is almost no rainfall throughout the month. Daytime temperatures are still pleasantly warm and sunny, however evenings and early mornings are cool so layers and a jacket are recommended. Waterholes start to dry up and animals start to move towards more permanent sources of water, making for some excellent and varied game viewing. The floodwaters from the Angolan highlands reach the head of the Okavango Delta panhandle and begin their slow and deliberate journey through the delta.
  • June
    25ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    6ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    1mm
    Average Rainfall
    June is a wonderful time in the delta. You can expect beautifully warm days, however nights and early mornings are cold, so plenty of layers are recommended. The dry season has started in earnest with animals congregating in large numbers along the fringes of the Okavango Delta and on the waterways of the Savute Channel and Chobe and Linyanti river systems. Sightings of African wild dogs improve as they begin to search for dens for their puppies. This is also a good time for walking safaris.
  • July
    25ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    6ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    0mm
    Average Rainfall
    July is Botswana’s coldest month. Days are warm and sunny but early mornings and evenings are very chilly with temperatures sometimes dropping to freezing, so layers and jackets are definitely recommended. This is the driest time in Botswana, with no rainfall, yet it's the height of the flood in the delta, thanks to the arrival of the waters from Angola. It's therefore an excellent time for mokoro and boat trips, with prolific game viewing opportunities. It's also peak season in Botswana so advance booking is essential.
  • August
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    8ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    0mm
    Average Rainfall
    August remains extremely dry with clear blue skies, temperatures on the rise and warm days. Evenings and early mornings, however, are still cold. The floodwaters have passed through the Okavango Delta and reach as far south as Maun. Southern carmine bee-eaters arrive, and their vibrant plumage can be spotted across the delta, while herons, storks and other birds start to congregate at the heronries. August is a very popular safari month in Botswana so advance booking is strongly advised.
  • September
    33ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    13ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    1mm
    Average Rainfall
    The climate starts to change in the delta, signaling the end of winter. For the most part, the country is dry and temperatures start to rise quite rapidly with hot, dry days and warmer evenings. The carmine bee-eaters are back in earnest bringing an explosion of colour to the delta, and the first migrant birds return for the summer. Water levels slowly start to drop, making this one of the last months for mokoro trips in certain parts of the delta.
  • October
    35ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    18ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    13mm
    Average Rainfall
    October is the hottest month in Botswana with balmy evenings and daytime temperatures often reaching 40°C. Game viewing is excellent, vegetation is sparse, and animals gather around the last remining waterholes, giving the big cats excellent hunting opportunities. The delta waters continue to drop too, opening up the floodplains for the grazers. The drying pools trap numerous fish, luring scavengers in for a feast. Birding is excellent with hundreds of birds breeding and nesting and the heronries are full of activity.
  • November
    34ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    19ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    49mm
    Average Rainfall
    November sees Botswana emerging from the dry season, with soaring thunderclouds and more migrant bird species returning once the rains start. Wildlife viewing remains good with many animals congregating around the delta's receding waterholes. Prices drop significantly in November, offering excellent value for money if you are able to travel at this time.
  • December
    33ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    19ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    71mm
    Average Rainfall
    December is the start of the green season. The rains become more regular, with thunderstorms every few days cooling down the hot daytime temperatures, though nights are warm and humid. Grazing is plentiful on the plains and predators take advantage of the newborn wildebeest calves and young antelope. Sightings of lion, leopard and cheetah are all likely. The migrant birds have arrived and birding is excellent. Dramatic skies and vibrant colours make for fabulous photography.

Location

Jao Camp is located on a remote island in one of the most picturesque concessions in the delta, the 60,000-hectare Jao Reserve. Access is via a scheduled flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Maun or from Johannesburg to Kasane, followed by a light aircraft flight to Jao airstrip. The camp is a 10-minute game drive from the airstrip.