Abu Camp

Photo: James Gifford

Country: Botswana

Location: Okavango Delta

Style: Luxury Tented Camp

Activities: Land and water based (seasonal)

Abu Camp, named after a very special bull elephant, is located in a grove of magnificent hardwood trees on the edge of a large lagoon at the periphery of the Okavango Delta.

An imaginative use of canvas and poles has created a unique style of tent; high ceilings and wide and airy spaces, blending in with the natural surroundings.

Each of the 6 en suite units has its own distinctive furnishings and fittings, many of them antique. Every tent has a private elevated teak deck sculptured around one of the lofty sycamore figs or jackalberry trees.

Well lit pathways link the Abu Camp tents with the main lounge and dining area. High vaulted tenting opens out onto a tiered teak deck surrounding a giant termite mound, one of the characteristic sights of the Okavango Delta. The lounge is replete with comfortable antique furnishings and boasts an absorbing library of field guides and illustrated volumes on the wildlife of the Okavango Delta.

A well stocked bar provides drinks and cocktails for post-safari sundowners around a camp fire while most of the meals are taken al fresco on the deck. Nearby a secluded plunge pool enables you to cool off and relax.

With its shady trees and views overlooking the tranquil lagoon, Abu Camp is a haven of peace and seclusion.

Abu Camp is unique in that it allows you to interact with the resident elephant herd, meeting each individual and initiating a journey into the complex behaviour of the largest land mammal on earth. Guests at Abu Camp are invited to become part of the elephant herd during their stay: watching the evening feeding, sharing the simple joy of a frolicking youngster, and accompanying them on foot as they move through the bush.

These elephant encounters provide unforgettable magical moments; and viewing wildlife from atop an elephant allows a closer approach to other animals than can be achieved any other way.

Abu Camp also offers morning and afternoon game drives, night drives, and nature walks.

During the seasonal floods, you are invited to take to the waters in the mekoros, the traditional poled craft used in the Okavango Delta.

Photo: James Gifford