Kwetsani Camp
Kwetsani Camp is located on a densely forested island on the private Jao Concession in the north-western Okavango Delta area.
Kwetsani Camp is an intimate and luxurious camp built into the palms and fig trees of an island in the beautiful Jao Reserve. The camp is built entirely on raised platforms and walkways, giving it a ‘tree-house’ feel, and overlooks a huge seasonal flood plain. The landscape is open and really stunning, especially when the flood waters are in. To the rear of the island is a permanent channel and a 15 minute boat ride gets you to Hunda Island where game drives often take place if it is too wet to drive from Kwetsani. The camp offers a very seasonal experience – when water levels are high, the wetland experience is magical but game viewing is more limited, and when water levels are low the wetland experience is more limited but game viewing is excellent. Regardless of when you visit, Kwetsani offers a very exclusive stay in the heart of the Okavango Delta wilderness.
Rooms
The luxury tented lodge offers accommodation in just five luxuriously appointed tented suites and one family unit, each built onto wooden decking and raised above the ground vegetation to offer the appearance of treehouse style accommodation. Each suite is spacious and light with modern furnishings including a bedroom area and lounge area, with glass doors opening on to a verandah with chairs and views out across the plains. En suite facilities comprise inside and an outside showers, basin and flush toilet.
Central Areas
There is a central bar, lounge, dining area and small curio shop which are also raised on stilts and built under a cool makuti thatch roof. Sliding glass doors leading out onto a wide viewing deck with superb views. A sloping walkway then lead down to another deck where you’ll find an infinity edge swimming pool overlooking the plains.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Jao Concession is one of the most beautiful areas in the Okavango Delta, and is home to six camps all operated by the Kays family – Tubu Tree, Little Tubu, Kwetsani, Jao, Jacana and Pelo. The concession has good concentrations of big game, including elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe all the main predators, however the concession is best known for its stunning wetland landscapes when the Okavango Delta is in flood.
Kwetsani is located in the heart of the concession and the game viewing experience can be quite seasonal. When water levels are high, the wetland experience is absolutely magical but game viewing is more limited, with most game drives taking place on nearby Hunda Island. However, when water levels are low the wetland experience is naturally more limited but game viewing is excellent. When it is really dry it is possible to drive extensively from Kwetsani.
Activities
Activities are both land and water based, with the latter being dependant on water levels. Game drives are offered by day and night, with full day drives including Hunda Island (during high water guests boat to the island) which is the largest land mass area on the concession. When water levels allow, boat cruises and mokoro trips are offered, as well as fishing (seasonal between March and December only). Guided nature walks can also be arranged but are seasonal. Guests also have the option (at an extra cost) of booking scenic helicopter flights.
Seasons
Kwetsani Camp is open year round but is best visited for the incredible wetland experience when the Okavango is in flood, usually from May through to August. For big game, September to December may offer greater traversing.
Children are accepted from the age of six years, however the location and experience naturally lends itself to families travelling with older children. The family unit is ideal for family travel.
The Jao Reserve has been managed by the Kays family since the early 2000s. At the heart of everything they do is a deep respect for the people, both staff and the surrounding communities. They believe in uplifting those who make the Jao experiences possible, providing meaningful employment, skills development, and opportunities for growth.
Their commitment extends beyond the workplace, as they partner with local communities to support education, conservation, and cultural preservation. A nightly Community & Conservation Trust fee is paid by all guests and this supports funding for community projects and upliftment.
