Read 5 traveller reviews of Jacana Camp

Jacana Camp is water-based and set in a beautiful area of Botswana's Okavango Delta. This particular area is known as the Jao Flats (and is part of NG 25). The camp atmosphere is relaxed and down-to-earth and there are beautiful views from Jacana's bar and lounge area across the delta floodplains. The Okavango's flood levels fluctuate throughout the year and depending on when you visit, you may be completely surrounded by water giving a true island feeling. During our most recent visit to this camp, rich bird-life could be viewed from a comfortable armchair in Jacana Camp's lounge.

Species we saw on our latest visit included wattled crane, slaty egret, saddle-billed stork and rufus-bellied heron. Red lechwe were also frequent visitors to the floodplains surrounding the camp. The guiding is excellent at Jacana and on the first morning game-drive of our latest trip, George tracked down a sleepy male and female lion and the local leopard “Beauty” (unfortunately we did not see “Beast” who also lives in the area). Jacana offers mekoro trips and also relaxing motor boat-trips which are excellent for birding, visits to nearby hippo pools, and of course the occasional sun-downer! Day and night game drives are also offered (but may need to be combined with a boat trip depending on the time of year).

This simple and authentic camp stands out for its stunning location, bush-feel and relaxed atmosphere.

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Tented Chalet at Jacana Camp

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 5 bedrooms

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: 2-3 nights depending on the season. If Jacana is the only water-based camp you are visiting you may wish to stay a night longer.

Central facilities: Jacana Camp's main area includes a large open deck looking out over a picturesque floodplain, and a lovely small pool with wicker sun loungers and umbrellas. There are various traditional carvings dotted around. The main lodge is double story, with a comfortable lounge area, tea and coffee station, polished bar and “help yourself” refrigerator on the lower deck, and a thatched open-sided eating area on the upper deck. Behind the bar is an area with a fire pit in the centre – this is lit every evening and is surrounded by chairs where you can relax with coffee after dinner and discuss the day's sightings. On the way up the stairs there is a small library and sofa. A wooden walkway adjoins the eating area and leads to the fun “loo with a view” which must be experienced during your stay! There is also a small curio shop situated behind the main area and many of the baskets sold here are made by members of local staff.

Geographics

Location: Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana

Directions: Fly-in. Transfers to Jacana Camp are usually by boat, but are by road if the flood-waters have receded sufficiently.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Marketed and managed by Wilderness.

Staff: On our last visit Jacana was being run by the very able Katie and Conrad. We were guided by George, who was very knowledgable and friendly.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: Food at Jacana Camp is served buffet-style and the teas, breakfasts and brunches were of good quality. Early morning breakfast is served on the deck where you can watch the sun rise. We were served cereal, fruit, muffins, tea and coffee, which was just right for lining the stomach before our game drive. A cooked breakfast was then offered at “brunch-time”, along with pasta salad, bread and a variety of other dishes. At tea time savoury snacks are served (pizza slices and mini quiches while we were there), and also a fresh cake such as banoffee pie or poppy-seed sponge. Refreshing iced tea is also served. We thought that some of the food served at dinner during our stay was disappointing – on the first night, we were served a rather insipid starter of tinned asparagus with a cheese sauce, and on the second night the lamb we felt was very overcooked. We do like to give the benefit of the doubt though, and understand that the camp is in a very remote area, and that a Waitrose or Sainsbury's is not just down the road! On the upside, the puddings were delicious. A choice of red and white wine (or both!) is served with the evening meal.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: Room service is not available – this is a safari camp, not a hotel.

Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

Special interests

Birdwatching: A large variety of bird species are present in the vicinity of Jacana Camp including wattled crane, saddle-billed stork, African darter, reed cormorant, king-fishers galore, slaty egret, several species of heron including the goliath and rufus-bellied variety and all the more common water-bird species. Ground hornbill are also spotted regularly when water-levels are low. Motor-boating and mekoro trips complement this activity, although many species can be viewed from the comfort of the camp itself. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Botswana

Wildlife safaris: As well as the excellent birding to be had at Jacana Camp, other species to be found include leopard, lion, elephant, warthog, red lechwe, crocodile and of course hippo. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Generally children are welcome but please take into account the restrictions below.

Age restrictions: Children of 12 years of age and over are accepted. Jacana may accept ages 8-12 if the whole camp is booked out but this must be requested in advance.

Activities: Not really, although craft activities and fishing trips can be arranged.

Equipment: No special equipment is available (children of 7 years and under are not accepted).

Generally recommended for children: See our comments below.

Notes: Jacana Camp is very open with dangerous wildlife in the area and it is open to the water in the flood season. The balconies are also on stilts and would not be suitable for small children.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact. There is no mobile reception, no direct phone or fax and no email – this is the bush! Jacana Camp does have a satellite phone for use in an emergency although in general, most contact is via radio.

TV & radio: No television or radio, this is the bush!

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: All camp managers are first-aid trained and a comprehensive first-aid kit is kept at camp. In more serious cases of illness, Wilderness have an affiliated nurse who is based in Maun and can always be contacted for further medical advice. In an emergency, camps can arrange for clients to be flown out.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Because of the Okavango's large population of dangerous game, and the fact that Jacana Camp is unfenced, guests are escorted to their rooms after dark. Alarms, sirens or whistles are provided in the rooms in case of an emergency.

Fire safety: There are extinguishers on the balconies of all rooms.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included, save for the washing of underwear. Washing powder is provided in the bathrooms for this purpose.

Money: No exchange facilities are offered. There are safe deposit boxes in the rooms.

Accepted payment: Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. Diners and Amex are not. Credit card transactions are limited to a minimum of 200 pula. No commission is charged on credit card transactions. Rand, £, $, Euros and Botswana Pula are accepted.

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