The Jao Reserve

15/10/2026

There is something about a leopard that makes you stop and watch.

Silent and completely at home in the long grass, this beautiful cat was captured moving through the landscape around Tubu Tree.

One of those encounters where nothing needs to happen, simply seeing a leopard in its own world is enough.

13/10/2026

A remarkable honour for Jao Camp: named among Africa’s Best 100 Hotels in Tatler Best Africa’s inaugural 2026 awards.

At Jao, the Delta sets the pace. Water winds through the floodplains, birdlife fills the air, and every day brings a new way to experience this remarkable place.

We’re honoured to be recognised, and deeply grateful to the guests who journey here and to our team, whose care and connection to this place make Jao what it is.

12/10/2026

There are days when it feels as though giraffes are everywhere on the Jao Reserve.

Elegant, curious, and unmistakable on the open floodplains, they are a familiar part of the landscape here, and we never tire of seeing them.

09/10/2026

A room with the Delta just beyond the glass.

At Pelo, the wilderness feels wonderfully close. From the quiet of your room, the sights and sounds of this little island are never far away.

Simple, intimate and immersed in the Okavango, exactly as Pelo should be.

07/10/2026

Stripes and reflections.

A zebra pauses at the water’s edge, its reflection almost as striking as the animal itself.

In the Okavango, even the simplest wildlife encounters can become rather beautiful compositions.

27/09/2026

Sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having nowhere else you need to be.

A quiet afternoon at Jao, surrounded by trees, water and the sounds of the Delta, gives you permission to do very little at all.

And that may be exactly what you came here for.

25/09/2026

One of our finest! 🤩🙌

𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘: 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙢 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

Meet Gofaone “Gift” Mhaladi, a dedicated guide at The Jao Reserve Camp whose passion for the bush brings incredible wildlife experiences to life. Growing up in Botswana’s Central District, Gift found his early connection to nature on the farm, and a visit to his cousin in Kasane ultimately introduced him to the world of safari guiding.

After training at the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI) and Kaporota Training Camp, and building nearly a decade of experience with &Beyond, Gift joined the Jao Reserve team in 2020. With a deep interest in animal behaviour and a thoughtful, research-driven approach, especially when it comes to his favourite animal, the elephant, Gift brings a calm, observant style that makes every moment in the bush grounding and peaceful.

Thank you, Gift, for sharing your expertise and passion with our guests!

24/09/2026

One of Africa’s most fascinating, and exciting, predators to encounter on safari.

Wild dogs are constantly on the move, intensely social and extraordinary to watch as a pack.

When they appear, whatever you thought the game drive was going to be about can change very quickly.

21/09/2026

Kwetsani after dark.

The lights glow softly through the trees, the fire is lit and the sounds of the bush begin to change.

After a day exploring the Delta, there’s something very special about coming back to this.

18/09/2026

There is something wonderfully timeless about sleeping under canvas on safari.

Jacana’s classic Meru tents keep things simple and comfortable, with the sounds of the Delta just beyond the canvas.

No excess. No fuss. Just a genuine connection to the place you’ve come all this way to experience.