Jao Camp

A wonderful camp supported by an outstanding staff.|Excellent "room" with perhaps the best food we experienced|during our month long African adventure. Wildlife viewing was|outstanding thanks to Rams who worked hard to locate the cats|we wished to see. Only issue was with the roads. They are dreadful |and need to be improved.

We were blown away from the moment we arrived at Jao! The staff that greeted us upon arrival were very welcoming and continued to WOW us during our three night stay! Ram, the Safari camp manager, treated us like royalty! We celebrated our 40th anniversary during our visit and were treated to numerous surprises along the way! On our anniversary, the staff set up a lunch for us right in the bush, with full bar, bbq of grilled meats and fish and delicious sides! We were in awe!!! SO special! And, the candlelit dinner with choir that serenaded us, and the surprise s that greeted us back in our suite were beyond special! Jao is truly a one of a kind experience. Our ranger/tracker Steve was a true gem. From our morning wakeup calls with hot coffee, hot water bottles and blankets for the chilly mornings, wildlife knowledge, and special sundowners, we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him! The wildlife we saw on our game drives and boat to Hunda Island were plentiful! The Okavango Delta is very remote and the hippos, elephants,crocodiles, birds are front and center. We loved our mokoro experience through the delta. Very peaceful - you could hear a pin drop! The food at Jao is delicious and the presentation is a 10+! The chef is very accommodating to dietary restrictions and very approachable. We were SO sad to leave this magical property! Special shout out to Bronwyn, who went above and beyond during our stay. Our suite overlooking the delta was enormous and beautifully appointed. Jao will always hold a special place in our hearts. Highly recommend staying here in Botswana!

Excellent experience, unlike epic safety/health failure at our next Wilderness camp Jao has friendly warm staff, and was a wonderful welcome to our trip to southern Africa. We loved the people and the property. The animal viewing is less than the 6-7 other camps we have been to though. Our guide, Paul, was exceptional. Sadly the next Wilderness camp, at Mombo, tarnished our trip. We had an epic service failure at Wilderness Mombo - 7 bats in 2 sleeping rooms, 4 rabies shots, substantial emotional distress. They claim the bats “not harmful” but their doctor, Cape Town medical staff, and Emory said the rabies risk was “not zero.” To me, they were ineffective at prevention, response, and service recovery. Most top-tier travel companies have mastered customer experience and recovery. It’s worth noting, most staff are warm, and the animals are wonderful; management not so. One might have any sort of unforeseen safety/health issue. Why would I choose a company which is ineffective at responding to anything that goes wrong? The rates are exorbitant. One expects and deserves better.

Jao is pure magic—where lilac sunsets fade into peaceful mokoro rides and game drives across Hunda Island reveal nature at its most raw and beautiful. While the wildlife and scenery were unforgettable, it’s the warmth of the staff that will draw me back again and again. I have truly never witnessed sunrises and sunsets as breathtaking as the ones here.||A special mention to Ram, the food and beverage manager, who went above and beyond to accommodate our dietary needs and created a magical sundowner to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Our guide, Cruise, brought the Okavango to life with his deep knowledge and lighthearted conversations, making every drive a joy.||The room itself was the most spectacular safari lodge accommodation I’ve stayed in across five African countries—luxurious yet seamlessly connected to its surroundings. Leaving Jao felt less like checking out of a camp and more like saying goodbye to someone you love.

It as abtruly magical 5 star experience |The staff , especially Manager PK and guide ranger, Cruise were amazing |They went the extra mile to inform and entertain two young boys . They shared their knowledge with great warmth with these 12 and 10 year old lads |Robert and the female chef served five star cuisine

That was an unforgettable experience at Jao Camp.|We wanted to relax for a few days after a strenuous tour, and the entire team at Jao Camp prepared heaven on earth for us.|Ram - thank you so much for your interesting explorations and explanations, and for discovering the very rare Pel's Fishing Owl. That was incredible.|Marina, thank you for your relaxing massages and your warm-hearted manner.|Emile - your cooking is indescribable - thank you.|Thanks to everyone who surprised us with a new highlight every day. This is a very special place in the delta, and we will definitely come back.

We loved Jao! ||We were picked up by Meshki, who has been the most wonderful guide. Thank you Kosi Meshki!||Met at the lodge by the friendly staff, and Reuben was there for us every second of our stay (he is so committed). Thank you Reuben!||The first impression of the lodge; we were in awe of the entrance with the unbelievable giraffe in the library. ||My husband had the best time with Ram, selecting the wines for his stay. Ram is an absolute pro||Food was just delicious, at every single meal. Thank you Emile||We loved the boat and mokoro. Great sightings. Especially the wild cat checking out the multiple springhares on the runway. The lions who looked like they had just returned from the salon.||All the staff were incredible, and I’m sorry for forgetting names now. Some names I can remember now, Emile the chef, Maccy (or Macdonalds), Onks and PK! Thank you guys for the best time :)||Lots of love, Meg and Jono Heinamann

Stayed at Jao for a couple of nights .Gift was an exceptional guide, loved the game drive and viewing with lions being our best. We loved the food a lot and i must say the food was exceptional for such a premier camp. Chef Emile catered lovely lunch and dinner menus with different meals not having any off our meals repeated. The Beef Ossa Buco being my favorite not to forget the Tuna Salad was very refreshing and out of this world . Everything which was produced was off "Michellin " standard. Ram was brilliant in the service department and his cocktails was out off this world . Mac Donald was a superb Butler towards us. The rooms was nice and big, with lots off space, just the way we like. Spotless cleaning from the House keeping department. For us who have stayed in top safari establishments throughout Africa Jao Camp is on top. We saw lots of game Elephants, Lions , Giraffe, Hippos with a Lion sighting top on the list. Will definitely come back .