Jao Camp

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.

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

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 .

At JAO we found everything better:|accommodation, space, taste, service, friendlyness, surroundings, The CUISINE, |gamedrives, wellness, surprises ;-) …|Better than what ?|Better than experience, expectations, competition, value-for-money …||It was a dream !||THANK YOU

Jao is a spectacular safari lodge, set in beautiful surroundings, with plentiful wildlife, diverse activities, the best food we've ever had on safari (and in many city restaurants), and a terrific guide. The rooms are large and spacious, with fabulous bathrooms (3 sinks--2 in the main area and a second in a powder room-- 2 showers--one indoor and one outdoor, 2 toilet areas), expansive living space (counter seating at the kitchenette, a full sized dining table, a separate seating area inside, and a comfortable bed with a most glorious view of the the elegant red lechwe (antelope unique to this area of the Delta), buffalos, wildebeests, elephants, etc., and that's just the view from the room. We saw 2 leopards, lots of hippos, elephants, giraffes, lions, hyennas , cocodiles, a water monitor, and even wild dogs on our drives. I liked that not all drives were in vehicles, as a favorite was when we got in a motor boat right from the dock at Jao and toured the Delta by water, visiting a hippo pond, and the closest island, where the game viewing was excellent. Our guide, Paul, was terrific at animal sightings and spotted the two leopards for us, which was amazing as one was walking through tall grasses and was only visible by the white ball on the end of its tail, and the other was leaping across the water in the Delta. The sundowners were elegantly executed with perfect timing, in the most unique locations (next to the hippos, etc.). The dining was uniquely good and impressive--the lunch and dinner menu changed daily, and always offered high-end restaurant quality options (--I don't go on safari for the food, but this was truly Foodie level standout dining). The dinner at the beautiful Boma, which they do twice per week, was a wonderful change and it was lovely to experience the local food. The spa services by Leddy and Bubbles were amazing and impressively executed, well beyond my expectations (they were so good I got a massage one day and a facial the next day--highly recommended). Having stayed at some of the best safari camps in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania, I must say Jao Camp is right there in the top.

The most luxurious bush camp I have experienced. Exceptional team led by manager PK. Brilliant food from Chef Emil and his team. The suites are enormous, spacious and well appointed. I lived in the private pool enjoying drinks from our constantly refreshed mini-bar.||Special mention to hospitality manager Ram. He conducted himself as if he was our personal butler, satisfying all wishes.||Our guide Meshack was one of the best I have encountered in many years of visiting lodges. Exceptional detailed knowledge of birds and the bush. His passion for his job and his environment was infectious. No drive was too early or temperatures too hot for us to be out in the bush sharing in his enthusiasm. ||Jao was truly memorable!

This was our second visit to Jao. We went last May. It was even better. Our guide, Mesh, was that great combination of knowledgeable and lots of fun. Highly recommend him. The Chef, Emile, deserves Michelin stars for his food. Every dish was creative, fresh and need I say delicious. Thank you, Emile. A shout out to Isaac, our server. Just a delightful guy who figured out our needs almost before we did. Finally, our best compliments to Tumi who manages Jao to perfection. Everything is over the top and yet there is a feeling of warmth and joy that is pervasive throughout the staff. He gets credit for that. Thank you all.