Descriptions

Famous as the home to Elephant-back Safaris in the Okavango Delta, Abu Camp is set in the western side of the Delta. Set in nearly half a million acres of private concession, this tranquil shady corner of heaven is in a pristine wilderness. Abu Camp is surrounded by open grasslands, interspersed with island sanctuaries and papyrus-fringed channels, which make this part of Botswana unique.

Abu Camp, set deep in an ancient Riverine forest, consists of six custom-built, stylishly furnished “tents” with en-suite bathrooms. Each tent has its own tree-shaded deck overlooking the lagoon, which teems with abundant bird life.

The main deck is sculpted around giant African Ebony and Sycamore Fig trees, creating a dappled, cool atmosphere where meals and drinks are enjoyed.

Sundowners around a traditional campfire are followed by five-star meals prepared by an expert safari chef and served with fine wines. All of which is accompanied by the nocturne of the African bush: the roar of the lion, grunt of the hippo and haunting calls of the owl and nightjars.

Dress at Abu Camp is casual but in keeping with the ethos of complete harmony with the surroundings, therefore the recommendation is for subdued, safari-hued clothing. A light jacket/ wind-cheater is advisable evenings in the camp and on night drives.

A new addition to the Abu Camp experience is the Abu Private Villa. The Villa sleeps four comfortably and is the perfect venue for those wanting privacy. The villa is five minutes from Abu Camp, and is situated across the lagoon. Guests enjoy their own butler, chef and guide with exclusive use of a vehicle. Therefore the can mingle with the guests at main camp or enjoy their own piece of paradise, complete with private pool. Please note that no elephant activities are included.
elephant at Abu Camp
The Elephants

Abu Camp is named after Randall Moore’s legendary elephant ‘Abu’, the star of such motion pictures as ‘White Hunter Black Heart’, and ‘The Power of One’. Abu is an Arabic word meaning ‘everything to do with elephants’. Sadly Abu passed away in 2003. Currently there is a herd of five adults and seven juveniles, with an age range from 5 to 40 years old.

Elephants have something of the hedonist about them. Their otherwise stately demeanour can be animated by a streak of pure frivolity. Never really threatened, except by drought and man, they have been able to cultivate and polish a daily routine of relaxed enjoyment, eating, bathing, meditating and going for long walks through the bush. And that is exactly what a Safari at Abu Camp is all about. A stay at the Camp elaborates this lifestyle into a series of small adventures: simple dawn and sunset rambles or daylong outings across the floodplains in the company of Africa’s finest travelling companions. There can be no way of interacting with the wilderness and wildlife of the Delta.

At Abu Camp, guests are transported in large comfortable custom-made saddles into the shimmering landscape of the Delta, on the most effective and stately of all 4×4’s. An elephant is not only able to cope with the water and sand with equal ease, but can also get really close to other game, which is unaware of the human companions aloft. The real enjoyment lies in the extraordinary experience of seeing the world from the elephant’s perspective, walking beside them or riding high through the bush, at one with the largest ears, the longest noses in the world. The youngsters cavort and roll in the water, wander off, and come romping back. The adults amble on, browsing as they go. Expressive long-lashed eyes reveal patience, mischief and pleasure. This is surely “The Ultimate Safari”!