Abu Camp is situated in an old riverine forest on the Abu Concession and re-opened in June 2010. The permanent channels, flood plains, savannah bushveld, mopane forest and open grasslands of the Okavango Delta make a stunning setting for its wildlife-rich inhabitants.

This camp is the home of 'elephant-back safaris', offering arguably the most unique and exclusive safari experience on the continent. Named after the legendary elephant 'Abu', the star of 'White Hunter, Black Heart', and 'The Power of One', the star of the show was brought from oversees by its trainer, Randall Moore, and gradually a small herd of 12 elephants formed, most of which are orphans.

This unique destination offers visitors the opportunity of close interaction with the world's largest land mammal, in a striking and game-rich setting. It is only accessible by fly-in and transfer to the camp is by vehicle or boat, depending on seasonal water levels.

The new main building overlooks a lagoon and features a dining area set on tiered teak decking, punctuated by jackalberry trees, (Diospyros mespiliformis), and sycamore figs, (Ficus sycomorus). This stands in front of the main lounge, which has comfortable chairs and a small library/study. Not surprisingly pictures, ornaments and carvings of elephants (especially of Abu), are all over the camp.

Abu camp have a very good reputation for a high standard of food, fine wines and attentive service. This is what any guest would expect from an establishment that regularly hosts the world’s 'A' list as guests. Whether they will join you around the traditional camp fire, risking the smoky fumes infiltrating their Versace safari suits, is another matter!

Accommodation is in 5 very luxurious tents elevated on teak decking, in a combination of African and Bedouin designs. Canvas has been stretched over the top and sides of a skeleton frame of wooden poles, and whereas they are not the usual design for a tent, they still have zipped doors and roll-down windows of the more traditional safari tents.

Each tent has a slightly different, but very original style and guests can rest assured they are amongst the most luxurious rooms in the Delta. Beds are a combination of mahogany antique 'sleigh-style', whilst others are of a classic 4-poster creation. The floors are beautifully polished teak, dotted with matching rugs. Outside each unit is a shaded deck overlooking the lagoon. Enjoy the wildlife from the comfort of a restful canvas chair.

Bathrooms are all spacious and en-suite, complete with stand-alone shower, washbasins and flush toilet. To emphasis the standard of luxury at Abu, there is either a copper or a porcelain bath to soak away any aches and pains.

Abu's elephants include movie star Abu, a large bull with matching tusks and the matriarch of the herd is Cathy. Benny is the large, mature bull, with a floppy right ear and no tusks. Then there is Mthondo mbomvo – a strong and stocky bull with a broad head and even, splayed tusks. Nandipa is one of the herd’s younger female elephants, distinguished by the hole in her right ear. Shirheni is another young female and gave birth to a young bull in November 2000, named Pula (rainfall).

The playful Pula was born after a night of heavy rain!

Jika has very short tusks that are close to her trunk and apparently is the herd’s 'dizzy blonde'! Seba was born around 1995, and can be found surrounded by the young females in the herd, perhaps because he is the star of the Walt Disney film, Whispers, which was released in 2000.

Thando is the one with some distinctive ‘red’ hair on his head and Kitimetse II – a name which means 'I'm lost' was found at the end of 1999, after she was found abandoned by her own herd after being injured by a crocodile.

Completing the disparate herd is Mufunyani – which means ‘The irritable one’, another orphan from Kruger who joined up 1990, but 12 years later was released back in to the wild with a satellite tracking collar, as part of a research project. By all accounts, he is becoming accustomed to a new life as a wild elephant, but usually stays fairly close to Abu Camp.

The waters are covered in lilies and water lettuce whilst tiny reedfrogs cling to papyrus. Zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and red lechwe splash through the water and elephants gather at waterholes and cross the channels to the palm islands. Several prides of lions hunt the antelope and leopards are often seen. It is also one of the best places to search for sitatunga and elephant, tsessebe and bushbuck are also common. The squeaking of fruit-bats erupt at dusk and as the night falls, tiny bushbabies spectacularly from tree to tree.

Safety issues: All visitors here are required to sign an indemnity form which absolves the camp from any responsibility for your safety whilst participating in a trip. As when visiting any camp in the bush, you taking on certain risks and unpredictability's not associated with a trip to the local supermarket. Being in such close proximity to such huge, strong animals does present a greater risk, even more than most normal photographic safaris.

Okavango Delta Lodges | Botswana

Elephant back Safaris

It goes without saying that elephant safaris are the main reason for coming. Activities flexible, but will usually include either a morning elephant ride and walking along beside them, or a whole-day excursion. This entails travelling with the elephants to a shady spot for a long picnic lunch, and then back with them in the late afternoon. The real fascination of these trips is not the wildlife viewed or even the 'ride' itself, but to experience being so close and to be able to walk beside them as they plod along. Being comfortable with them at close quarters, is a different, but totally rewarding experience than from viewing them from afar.

Game drives

An alternative to an elephant ride is a morning or afternoon game drive in an open-sided 4x4.

Boat trips

Depending on the water levels, another option would be to cruise through the river systems on a mekoro or boat.

Ornithology

The birdlife is spectacular with wattled cranes stepping through lush grass, saddle billed storks hunt for frogs and slaty egrets, black egrets and rufous bellied heron's abound. Long crested eagle, Dickinson's kestrel, red billed wood-hoopoe, pink throated longclaws and Pel's fishing owl are part of a seemingly never-ending list of birds.