The Jao Concession (also known as NG 25) is situated in the north-western area of the Okavango Delta, just below the pan handle, whilst the Moremi Game Reserve forms the eastern boundary. Some 60,000ha in size,with maximum guest occupancy of 48 people, it encompasses deep blue channels, glittering lagoons, emerald-green floodplains and palm islands. To the north and east of Jao, the narrow water channels cut their way through a system of papyrus and reed beds.

Further west the area gets progressively dryer and Hunda Island, which is the tip of a large 'sand tongue,' is the largest area of dry land in the concession during the flood season. This island has sandveld vegetation that supports many species of nutritious acacia and grewia shrubs, which provide excellent browsing.

There are a number of small camps on the reserve, ranging from luxury chalets to tree-top houses. They are Jao, Kwetsani, Jacana and Tuba Tree Camps. They are only accessible by fly-in and transfer, via a short flight from either Maun or Kasane. Please note that if you're staying in the Jao Reserve for more than a few days, there is the option when making a booking to include a night or two 'sleeping out' in a simple campsite in the bush.

Wildlife:

There are regular sightings of both bloats of hippo and basks of crocodile in Jao Concession. As it is set in a wildlife high-density wetland area, the 2 most water loving antelopes, sitatunga and red lechwe, have no hesitancy about taking to the water to escape from predators or to feed on semi-aquatic grasses. A frightened fleeing animal, leaping over streams or grassland, makes for a fantastic photographic opportunity. In the dry season tsessebe, elephant, wildebeest, baboon, bushbuck and zebra occur here, with lion, cheetah and leopard often sighted lurking on the floodplains, not too far behind their unsuspecting prey. The lion prides in this area of the Okavango Delta have been extensively studied in recent years, thereby building up a more intimate knowledge of their behaviour.

Ornithology:

The true wetland areas of the Okavango Delta are best known for its outstanding bird life. The phase 'photographers dream' is never overstated here. Large concentrations of the endangered wattled crane, stepping through the long grass, saddle-billed storks hunting for frogs as well as slaty egrets, and the rosy-throated longclaw can be seen here.

Another fairly common resident is the African skimmer; it feeds by flying low over the water's surface with the long lower mandible (lower jaw bone) immersed in a skimming action, and they can be spotted on the larger lagoons and channels in the concession. Pel's fishing-owl is found alongside the more conspicuous, and commonly seen coppery-tailed coucal and pygmy goose.

Activities:

All of the camps offer a variety of activities including game drives, walks and night drives. Boating and mokoro trips are a popular exciting, and to some a more adventurous way of game viewing.

Okavango Delta Accommodation