Wilderness Jacana Camp

On an island in the Okavango Delta, Wilderness Jacana Camp is the ideal river camp for travellers who want to explore this rich area of Botswana from the water.

Five tented en-suite rooms are perched on stilts above the water; there’s a refreshing plunge pool overlooking the river; and the dining area is located on a platform surrounded by wild date palms and two grand sycamore fig trees. After dinner, there’s an open-air lounge with a fire pit around which guests can sit and reflect on the sightings of the day.

From the camp, you can explore the floodplains and papyrus swamps by mokoro (dug-out canoe). You might spot all sorts of wildlife, from crocodiles to the rare spotted-neck otter. Birdlife is also prevalent, including waterfowl and Pel’s fishing owl. Without even having to leave the camp, you can often see elephant and hippo drinking and cooling off in the water.

Aside from river safaris, you can go on game drives in the dry season, or spend an afternoon – or even the night – in one of the camp’s raised ‘hides’, from which you can spot Okavango wildlife.