Pelo Camp
Highlights
- Offers a true water-based Okavango experience
- Small, intimate, and remote safari camp
- Maintains the 'classic' feel missing from the luxury camps
- The camp operates primarily on solar power
Location
- NG25 Private Concession
- Western Okavango Delta
- Northern Botswana
Pelo Camp is situated on a small island in the Jao concession of the Okavango Delta. The camp offers a true water-based experience.
Pelo lies within the 230-square-mile (600-sq-km) Jao concession, which borders the Moremi Game Reserve and offers water-based activities, including mokoro (traditional dugout) excursions, boating, fishing, and walking with a guide.
The Jao concession includes a range of habitats, including permanent swamps, savanna grassland, seasonally flooded plains, water channels through papyrus and reed beds, palm islands, and open woodland.
The area around the camp is inundated with permanent water, so activities focus primarily on mekoros and power boating. Walking with a guide is also offered.
The camp's name, 'pelo', means ‘heart’ in the local Setswana language, as from the air, the island on which the camp is located is shaped like a heart.
Main area lounge and viewing deck.
Wildlife typically seen at Pelo includes elephant, hippo, red lechwe, and crocodile. There is a good chance of seeing the usually elusive sitatunga (an aquatic antelope), as well as spotted-necked otter. The area is also a birder's paradise, with plentiful waterbirds and Okavango 'specials' like Pel's owl, slaty egret, saddle-billed stork, lesser jacana, and wattled crane.
Pelo Camp offers 5 tented guest accommodations, built upon wooden decks with sand-covered pathways leading to the camp's main area. The elevated main area offers sweeping views of the lagoon in front of camp.
Wilderness Safaris are one of Africa's leading safari operators and they strive to minimize energy consumption at all their camps. Pelo Camp is powered by a hybrid system, which combines solar power and a diesel-powered generator. The hot water is heated by thermodynamic geyser.
Strict eco-friendly environmental standards are maintained so that no harmful chemicals or waste is allowed to enter the pristine ecosystem of the Okavango Delta.
Overhead view (camp on left side of the island in the trees).
About the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's greatest safari destinations and offers an incredible diversity and abundance of wildlife. The Okavango is an UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
Often referred to simply as "the Delta", the Okavango is characterized by an ever-changing network of waterways that originate far to the northwest in the highlands of Angola. The Cubango River flows into northern Botswana and spills into the flat expanse of Kalahari sands, where it fans out into a shallow trough formed by tectonic faults beneath the sand.
The annual 'flooding' of the Okavango brings in rich sediments that provide nutrients atop the sands, which in turn creates a diverse ecosystem of permanent and seasonal waterways, deep-water lagoons, papyrus beds, palm-covered islands, seasonally flooded grasslands, and woodlands. The rich fresh-water environment changes year-to-year depending on the level of the floodwaters making it one of the most dynamic wildlife destinations on Earth.
Relaxing snacks and drinks in the clear water of the Okavango.
Wildlife in the Okavango Delta is diverse and includes all of Africa's Big Five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Commonly seen herbivores include giraffe, plains (Burchell's) zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, tsessebe, common reedbuck, greater kudu, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, and warthog. Both species of rhino are found, albeit in small numbers. The Delta is also home to red lechwe and sitatunga, both of which are water-dependent antelopes.
The abundance of herbivores means that predators are common in the Okavango. Commonly seen species include lion, leopard, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, and African wild dog. Cheetah are sometimes seen in the larger grasslands like those on Chief's Island. Less frequently encountered predators include serval, caracal, honey badger, and various species of mongoose.
The abundance of water in the Okavango provides habitat for Nile crocodiles and hippos, both of which are seen easily at any of the safari camps located near the Delta's permanent water. Primates in the Delta include chacma baboon, vervet monkey, and bush baby (galago).
Birding is outstanding in the Delta, with over 400 species possible. A typical safari day can easily produce over 100 species for an avid birder.
Mekoro outings are the specialty at Pelo Camp.
ROOMS INCLUDES & EXCLUDES CHILDREN FACILITIES ACTIVITIES
Accommodation
5 guest accommodations in total comprising:
- 4 twin-bedded meru-style safari tents, each with two three-quarter beds. Mattress converters are available that transform the twin beds into a king-sized bed (to be arranged prior to arrival).
- 1 double meru-style safari tent with a king-size bed.
The tents are built on the ground and are connected to the main camp area by sandy pathways.
Guest tent interior.
Each guest tent has a veranda with deck chairs for relaxing with views of the surrounding water. Inside the tents are en-suite facilities comprising of an indoor shower, outdoor bucket shower, single-basin vanity, and a flush toilet. There is also a writing desk and chair, easy chairs, and a luggage rack.
Other items and features in the guest tents include:
- Tea and coffee making facilities.
- Yoga mat and resistance bands.
- Electronic safe.
- Ceiling fan.
- Complimentary in-tent Wi-Fi..
- During winter months, hot water bottles, extra blankets and throws are provided.
- Personal amenities, including bathrobes, kikois, shower gel, hand and body wash, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, insect spray, shower caps, vanity kit, sewing kit, umbrellas, mosquito repellent spray, and mosquito coil.
Pelo Camp can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests in total: 2 persons in each of the 5 guest tents.
Includes & Excludes
Includes:
- All meals and local beverages including wines, spirits and liqueurs, but excluding premium imported brands and Champagne.
- Twice-daily water-based safari activities including, boating and mokoro outings, as well as nature walks, and other scheduled camp activities (accompanied by experienced guides). Water-based activities dependent upon water levels.
- Note that the camp does not offer 4x4 safari drives as the area around the camp does not have enough dry land.
- Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day). Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned by the evening.
- Wi-Fi access.
- Tourism Levy & VAT.
Excludes:
- Premium imported beverages and Champagne.
- Scenic helicopter flights ranging in duration from 30, 45 to 60 minutes - with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 5 or 6 depending on the helicopter used (morning or afternoon).
- Tsodilo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site) excursion to learn more about Botswana and the history of the San people - with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 10 (via scenic helicopter flights only).
- Any applicable wildlife fee, park fee, reserve fee, concession fee, other land-use fee.
Single Supplement
A single supplement will apply for any room booked by a single traveler; please ask us for pricing.
Children
Children aged 13 years and older are accommodated at Pelo:
- Children 13 years and older partake in activities with all other guests.
- Children between 13 and 16 years must share with an adult/s in the same room.
- The minimum age for all activities is 13 years.
Facilities
The main area comprises a tented dining area and lounge situated under impressive wild date palms, jackalberry and Natal mahogany trees. There is also a raised viewing platform built onto an old termite mound.
Other main area features include:
- Main area comprising of lounge, dining, and bar area.
- Pool in main area.
- Traditional boma for dining under the stars.
- Campfire area.
- Sunset and lookout deck.
Activities
Activities included in the rate:
- Water-based activities in 6x 2-seater mekoro (traditional dugout canoe) and 1x 9-seater and 1x 11-seater motorized boats used in the waterways around camp (water levels permitting).
- Fishing on a catch-and-release basis year round (except January and February when fishing is barred by law for breeding).
- Guided nature walks (seasonal and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide, therefore pre-booking is essential).
- Birding.
Optional activities at additional cost:
- Scenic helicopter flights ranging in duration from 30, 45 to 60 minutes - with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 5 or 6 depending on the helicopter used (morning or afternoon).
- Tsodilo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site) excursion to learn more about Botswana and the history of the San people - with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 10 (via scenic helicopter flights only).
Example of a typical day:
- Early morning wake-up call. Morning wake-up and activity times vary according to the seasons, activities on offer, and wildlife sightings.
- Light breakfast before departing on the morning activity.
- Return to camp for a meal and rest period.
- Meet for afternoon tea and snacks (savory and sweet choices) before departing on the activity.
- Return to camp - freshen up or meet for drinks, followed by dinner.
- Enjoy a nightcap or discussion around the fire before retiring.
Great Good Fair Poor
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- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
WHEN TO GO
The Okavango Delta offers very good wildlife viewing opportunities all throughout the year, but there are seasonal variations in terms of weather that may be a consideration when planning your visit.
The high season in terms of tourist demand is during the dry months between June and October. The latter part of the rainy season is the low season.
The winter (June through August) is dry and cool and wildlife may be easier to find as rain water is evaporating and the rivers and deeper waterholes become more frequently visited by the animals.
During the middle and later stages of the rainy season, the grass becomes tall and the bush becomes lush and thick, which makes for lovely colors, but makes spotting wildlife more difficult.
Pelo Camp is open from 01 March through 30 November.
Summer / Rains
Northern Botswana, including the Okavango Delta receives most of its rain between December thru February, which is the summer season. November and December are wonderful months to visit the Delta, with only occasional rainstorms and most rain coming in short showers, which bring relief to the thirsty land after the dry season.
January and February typically experience afternoon downpours on most days, but all-day rain is very uncommon. By the middle of March, the rains become much less frequent and the grass and bush have grown long and thick. Mornings become cooler by the end of March.
In spite of being summer, the rains keep temperatures from becoming overly hot, although humidity and insect life are at their peak. Days are mostly overcast or partially cloudy, with dramatic skies and a lovely green color to the landscape. Afternoon temperatures average 88°F (31°C), but mornings are very comfortable at around 65°F (19°C).
Baby animals are in abundance, especially impala lambs and warthog piglets. Migratory birds arrive to breed and dramatically increase the number of species and overall numbers, particularly in the lagoons and pans, which are full of rain water and food for the aquatic species.
Unlike the dry months (May through October), when the middays can be very warm, causing wildlife to minimize activity and seek shade from around 10am til mid-afternoon, the overcast skies in the summer often mean that animals are active throughout the day, offering many more hours of game viewing.
Autumn
March, April and May are Fall season months and the beginning of the dry season in the Okavango, with rains very uncommon from around mid-March. The landscape is still lush and green, with sunny days and comfortable temps; afternoons average 84°F (29°C). Mornings are comfortable, but a fleece and base layer may be needed for the first hours on game drive.
Migrant birds fly north and water in the lagoons and rain pans is drying up. Permanent waterways in the Delta are however rising, as the 'flood' water from the Angolan highlands is now reaching the Delta.
Morning temps are around 54°F/12°C and afternoons average 79°F/26°C.
Winter / Dry Season
June through August is winter and the vegetation is drying and going dormant. The Okavango flood water is peaking but the surrounding landscape is mostly brown and yellow. Dust and sand particles in the air is on the rise. Game viewing is superb, with elephant and buffalo herds congregating along permanent water.
Mornings can be chilly to very cold at around 45°F (7°C). Warm clothes, including winter hat and gloves are needed for the open-air game drives. Dress in layers, as the temps do rise quickly during the day, with middays reaching 79°F (26°C).
Spring
September and October are the driest months as the landscape and animals eagerly await the coming rains. Game viewing is phenomenal, with all lagoons and rain pans completely dry and animals congregating around permanent waterways. The flood levels are down and the grass and vegetation mostly dried.
Days are warm, sunny and often cloudless and by mid-morning, most animals are seeking shelter in the shade and awaiting the evening temps to drop. October can be brutally hot and dusty and even smoky as sporadic grass fires can occur.
Safari camps are mostly full to capacity, with guests adhering to guide books saying this is the only tome to visit (not true of course!) Temperatures in October can easily reach 95°F (35°C) or even hotter.