Wilderness Jao
Botswana
Wilderness Jao stands on a remote island in Botswana's Okavango Delta, within the private Jao Reserve. Built into tall trees, its architecture uses recycled materials and opens towards wetlands, riverine forest and floodplains. Five suites and two villas provide the accommodation, with the villas adding a private chef, guide, butler and vehicle. Safari activities follow the water. Seasonal inundation creates opportunities for mokoro journeys, while drier floodplains allow game drives in a landscape home to buffalo, lions and red lechwe. Back at camp, a pool sits beneath a nest-like gazebo. A wine cellar with a sommelier and a library containing a giraffe skeleton bring further distinctive details to the shared spaces.