Desert + Delta
Thrilling game drives that bring you face-to-face with Botswana’s most iconic wildlife. Witness the raw power of predators on the hunt at Mombo Concession and observe rare desert wildlife in the Great Kalahari.
Signature Guided Safaris® Journeys
Desert + Delta Botswana
Craft your own unforgettable safari experience. A journey through our finest luxury camps and award-winning locations in Botswana where every detail is tailored to your preferences. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of tracking the Big Five, the serenity of gliding through Delta channels, or the cultural richness of engaging with Botswana’s San bushmen in the Great Kalahari. Let us guide you through the wild landscapes of Africa, where luxury meets adventure, and every moment is infused with the magic of the continent.
Safari Diaries
Unforgettable adventures
Interact with Meerkats in the Makgadikgadi and track nocturnal Kalahari desert species like Brown hyena and Bat-eared fox. Experience the Okavango Delta from different perspectives — glide through lily-filled channels, enjoy a breakfast picnic beside a hippo-filled lagoon at dawn, or dine under the starlit sky as zebras graze nearby. Every moment is an invitation to connect with nature’s splendor. Renowned as one of Botswana’s premier destinations for big game viewing, Mombo Concession offers an unrivaled safari experience where wildlife thrives in abundance. Set within Mombo Island, a region celebrated for its prolific predator populations, including large prides of lions and elusive leopards, this journey provides guests with front-row seats to nature’s most dramatic spectacles.
Safari Films
Architectural splendor
amidst nature’s beauty.
This is a corner of Africa, little changed for thousands of years. The San people have roamed, hunted and danced beneath these stars for millennia
Great Kalahari
Your extraordinary journey begins at the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans—a mesmerizing, otherworldly landscape that forms a significant part of the vast Kalahari Basin. As one of the largest salt flats globally, visible even from space, this shimmering expanse is the remnant of an ancient super-lake that once covered much of Southern Africa. With endless horizons bending into the distance, the Makgadikgadi defines serene isolation. Yet, beneath its seemingly inhospitable surface lies a world teeming with life and rich cultural history, waiting to be discovered. Our exclusive 980,000-acre private concession offers unparalleled solitude, unique desert wildlife, and vistas that stretch beyond imagination. Jack’s Camp offers more space, unfathomable comfort for desert life, luxury fit for a maharaja and heaps of adventure.
Your Private Journey
This journey can be completely customized to your specifications
From visiting the den of the world-famous Meerkat Manor in the Kalahari to drifting along the Okavango watching baby elephants frolic in the delta, create unforgettable moments on safari.
An oasis of elegance in the heart of the desert
Steeped in a heritage rich in adventure and discovery, telling the captivating story of the Bousfield family across five generations, the iconic Jack’s Camp exudes old-world glamor and style, providing a stark yet enchanting contrast to the raw beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Framed by swaying Mokolwane palm trees, the camp overlooks glittering salt pans and sun-soaked plains, offering guests an oasis of comfort in a remote setting few have experienced. Indulge in wellness therapies that rejuvenate the body and soul, or lose yourself in a captivating book from the extensive library between your desert explorations.
Your journey here offers a remarkable safari experience that goes beyond the the beaten route, inviting you to explore elusive desert wildlife as well as the rich cultural tapestry of the San people, who have lived in harmony with the natural world for thousands of years. As you journey across the vast salt pans, your Private Guide will share profound knowledge of the land and its inhabitants, from the tiniest insects to the majestic elephants that grace the terrain. Immerse yourself in the San people’s traditional hunting and gathering practices, discover their intricate understanding of medicinal plants, and delve into spiritual beliefs deeply rooted in their connection to the earth. Proceeds from this exclusive safari support the San community and their sustainable living initiatives, as well as vital wildlife conservation efforts in the area.
Guided Safaris® By Helicopter: On an incredibly scenic flight, you’ll visit the granite Kubu island, studded with baobabs, and one of the most graphically beautiful spots in Botswana. It is rich with intriguing detail, such as walling, trade and Bushmen beads brought here to barter in pursuit of the salt that ices the surrounding Pans. This place has been the holiest secret of the Kalahari Bushmen for longer than anyone knows, a place of power and ritual. While sitting around the fire looking for shooting stars, your Private Guide points out a pair of owls calling one another as they perch on the branches in the trees dotted around.
The Lily-Trotter
Deep within the heart of the Okavango Delta, on a secluded island where land blends seamlessly with water, lies Jao Camp — a sanctuary inviting you to explore one of Botswana’s most abundant and diverse ecosystems. Surrounded by lush riverine forests and expansive floodplains, Jao embodies the quintessential Delta experience. Traverse the terrain by game drive during the warmer months, the ever-changing environment ensures continuous surprises and a myriad of adventures in this Botswana paradise. Awaken your senses to the myriad sounds and sights of the Okavango Delta. Listen to the symphony of bird calls, spot tiny painted reed frogs among the reeds, or watch elephants move silently past the camp. Track prides of lions across the floodplains or marvel at wetland-adapted Red Lechwe bounding through the water.
It took me some time to understand my water-lilies. A landscape does not pervade your senses in one day. And then all at once, I had the revelation – and reached for my palette. I’ve hardly had any other subject since that moment.
Architectural splendor amidst nature
Immerse yourself in the camp’s art gallery and museum, unwind in the tranquil library, or simply relax in the elaborate main area, all while being serenaded by the Delta’s vibrant birdlife. Choose between five expansive safari suites or two exquisite villas, each featuring private plunge pools and dedicated butlers. These accommodations offer the ultimate hideaway, perfectly balancing opulence with the untouched beauty of the wilderness. Jao Camp is deeply committed to conserving this unique ecosystem, tirelessly protecting the waterways, land, and the diverse flora and fauna that call it home.
Discover the revitalized wilderness of Jao, a prime sanctuary for the extremely elusive Sitatunga antelope; a swamp-dwelling species unique to the expansive wetlands of south-central Africa. The dynamic interplay of fire, water, and wildlife has crafted an exceptional environment ripe for exploration. As a result, Jao has become a haven for plains game, attracting impressive herds of herbivores. Witness hundreds of Cape buffalo, blue wildebeest, and Burchell’s zebra roaming freely across the landscape. Common reedbuck and warthog populations are thriving on the rejuvenated floodplains, while sightings of the southern giraffe have become delightfully frequent. Elephants grace the area in abundance, from nurturing family groups to solitary bulls exploring the vast terrains. Notably, herds of Tsessebe — another rare and specialized antelope seldom seen in other parts of Africa — are a remarkable highlight for wildlife enthusiasts.
The diversity doesn’t end there. Recently, the area has revealed glimpses of more elusive creatures, such as the large grey mongoose, graceful serval, and even the tenacious honey badger. Under the soft glow of minimal moonlight, lions expertly hunt, stalk, and bring down buffalo in a captivating sequence that unfolds in under 15 minutes. Immersed in the darkness, we listen intently to the symphony of the night — the distressed calls of the buffalo herd scattering into the shadows and the haunting whoops of spotted hyenas eager to partake in the ensuing drama.
Experience firsthand the vibrant resurgence of this unique ecosystem, and create memories amid one of Africa’s most captivating natural spectacles. Whether you’re an avid wildlife observer, a passionate photographer, or a traveler seeking unparalleled adventure, Jao offers an immersive safari experience that resonates long after you’ve departed its enchanting landscapes.
Front-row seats to Mombo's most dramatic wildlife
Renowned as one of Botswana’s premier destinations for big game viewing, Mombo Concession offers an unrivaled safari experience where wildlife thrives in abundance. Set within a region celebrated for its prolific predator populations, including large prides of lions and elusive leopards, Mombo provides guests with front-row seats to nature’s most dramatic spectacles.
Nestled beneath the shade of mangosteen trees and overlooking expansive floodplains, Mombo Camp seamlessly blends classic safari charm with modern luxury. Each suite is thoughtfully designed to offer unparalleled comfort while immersing guests in the surrounding wilderness. Relax in your private plunge pool with a refreshing sundowner, explore an exceptional selection of South African wines in the camp’s unique wine cellar, or simply absorb the breathtaking landscape from your spacious private deck.
TRICHILIA EMETICA · The Natal Mahogany found at Mombo island is famous for its seeds, that produce a rich, traditional cosmetic oil. In local folklore, the tree is deeply respected for its perceived protective qualities, with spiritual cleansing and restoration.
THE APEX OF WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
Thrilling game drives
Witness the raw power of predators on the hunt at Mombo Concession and observe rare desert wildlife in the Great Kalahari.
The Southern Triangle — three clear stars in the high winter south, charted here for the journey’s three camps: one for the salt pans, one for the water gardens, and golden Atria — the figure’s brightest — for Mombo, the star camp. On dry-season evenings the Triangle stands over Botswana beside the Milky Way’s bright spill, under the same sky the San have read for millennia. Look up from the fire: the itinerary is written overhead.
Guided Safaris®
A Day on Safari
Desert + Delta Botswana
For an extraordinary perspective of Africa’s vast wilderness, Guided Safaris® helicopter excursions offer an unparalleled aerial adventure. Soar above the savannahs and witness a lioness stealthily stalking her prey, or observe the ancient migratory paths etched into the earth by herds of zebras and elephants. Our experienced pilots, deeply involved in conservation efforts—including anti-poaching initiatives and wildlife rescue operations—will guide you over landscapes more diverse than any other continent, transcending national boundaries and revealing the timeless beauty of Africa from the skies.
Desert + Delta Botswana
Safari Cuisine
Culinary Delights Rooted in Tradition. Dining at our Signature Luxury Safari Camps is a journey through Botswana’s rich culinary landscape. Emphasizing sustainability and community engagement, the camps use locally sourced ingredients to craft traditional recipes, offering guests an authentic taste of the region. Indulge your senses as you explore the flavors of Botswana, thoughtfully prepared to provide a healthier, more harmonious dining experience. Between excursions, unwind by the pool as elephants wander nearby, or share stories of the day’s sightings over a gourmet meal. Relax in the unique bird’s nest-styled pool gazebo at Jao Camp, perched at the water’s edge, then visit the impressive wine cellar for a pre-dinner tasting before indulging in the camp’s delectable culinary offerings. Every detail is curated by Guided Safaris® to provide an exceptional blend of adventure and relaxation.
Guided Safaris®
How we host you
Offering comprehensive knowledge on animal behavior and local habitat, seasoned safari travelers will agree that the expertise of our Chief Designers and Professional Guides is undisputed in helping us ensure that our guests obtain the best sightings and an unmatched safari experience on ground.
Experience the finest in sustainable luxury at our exclusive camps, each designed to provide comfort while preserving the natural environment. Many of our camps are owner-managed, ensuring personalized service and warm hospitality throughout your stay. Engage in meaningful interactions with local communities, including dignified meetings with the San bushmen people to gain insights into their rich traditions and way of life.
Witness an incredible array of wildlife, including rare and endangered species, in some of Africa’s most pristine natural settings. Marvel at breathtaking vistas, from the vast moon-like expanses of the Makgadikgadi Pans to the lush deltas and plains of the Okavango Delta. Explore the wilderness with confidence, guided by our professional experts and some of the best trackers in Africa.
Coiled from mokola palm and dyed dark with bird-plum bark, a Ngamiland weave carries its pattern by name — here the Swallow’s Tail, its chevrons forked like the bird’s own flight, with the Tears of the Giraffe falling in the band below
