Abu Camp

Highlights

• Airy tents feature an indoor and outdoor shower, an outdoor copper bath, and a generous elevated teak deck.
• Interact with the Abu elephant herd and get to know each one of them through activities such as game drives in the morning and afternoons, boat excursions, and nature walks.
• Experience a tree-house sleepout surrounded by the resident Abu Camp elephants.

You Should Know

Children

Abu Camp does not have a family room. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 years can be accommodated as a triple share in a standard twin room with an extra bed. The range of activities is limited due to the minimum age requirement of 13 years. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 years may participate in a sleepout on the outdoor star-deck, as well as on an elephant ride, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Please Note:

Abu Camp accommodates a maximum of 10 guests during elephant activities at any one time. This number is comprised of 4 guests maximum riding the elephants (2 guests on each of the two elephants) and 6 guests maximum walking alongside the elephants. If one of the elephants is pregnant or nursing a calf, this number may be reduced temporarily, but the overall elephant experience will continue to be managed directly at the camp.

The Details

Shortly after arriving at camp, you’ll be introduced to the Abu herd. Throughout your stay, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with these incredible creatures. You can enjoy the gentle thrill of an elephant-back safari, walk alongside the herd as they amble through the bush, and watch them swim in a nearby lagoon. We also highly recommend a night in the Star Bed, where you can lie cocooned in a comfortable bed, listening to the low rumbling and snores of the elephants in their enclosure.

Alongside these unique experiences, Abu Camp provides all the activities you’d expect from a luxury camp in the Okavango Delta: morning and afternoon game drives, scenic flights, and peaceful mokoro safaris through papyrus-fringed channels. The camp itself strikes a balance between extreme luxury and a welcoming atmosphere, offering plenty of places to relax and unwind. These include an open-air lounge, various decks overlooking the lagoon, a secluded swimming pool, and even an outdoor gym.

Other highlights of a stay at Abu Camp include sundowners served in magnificent locations, surprise lantern-lit dinners out in the delta, and, as the sky fills with stars, nightly chats around the campfire. Here, you can relive your day's adventures while swapping safari stories with other guests.

Abu Camp features six spacious tents, each with a private teak deck furnished with sun loungers, offering stunning views over the lagoon and floodplains beyond. The tented suites are individually decorated but share luxurious features such as king-size beds, lounge areas with comfortable chairs, writing desks, and charming details like carved wooden sculptures, steamer trunks, and striking black-and-white photographs.

The en-suite bathrooms come equipped with both indoor and outdoor showers, as well as a copper bathtub discreetly situated on the side of the deck. End your game-viewing day by soaking in this outdoor tub with a glass of wine, while enjoying the tranquil sounds of birds in the surrounding fig and jackal-berry trees.

For those seeking adventure, a Star Bed is located just a 10-minute walk from the main camp. The Star Bed overlooks the elephant boma and features a lower deck with an enclosed bathroom and an upper deck where you can gaze at star-filled skies from the bed, safely raised high off the ground. Drift off to sleep, serenaded by the comforting sounds of the elephants below.

The Elephant Experience

The focus at Abu Camp is the Elephant Experience. The herd currently consists of six elephants: Cathy, Shireni, Lorato, Paseka, Warona, and Naledi.

Activities Include:

• Walking with the elephants (for guests aged 13 years and older).
• Observing activities such as mud bathing and experiencing the bush through the elephants' perspective.
• Engaging in discussions about elephant conservation at local, national, and continent-wide levels.
• Day and night game drives to witness the remarkable diversity of wildlife in the Abu Concession, part of the game-rich Okavango Delta UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Birdwatching, boating, and mokoro excursions (13 years and older, accompanied by the Abu herd).
• Fishing on a catch-and-release basis year-round, except in January and February when fishing is restricted to allow for breeding. Fishing equipment is supplied by the camp.

Star Bed Experience

The Star-Bed platform accommodates two guests and is situated at the elephant enclosure. This double-story Star Bed features its own bathroom with a shower, toilet, and basin on the lower deck. The bed on the upper deck is shielded by a large mosquito net, offering a clear view of the elephant enclosure below. This immersive experience allows you to sleep under the stars, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the elephants in their natural habitat.

Abu Camp is best known for its rescued elephants, and during your stay, you’ll get to know their distinct personalities and quirks—from the playful and inquisitive youngsters to Cathy, the wise matriarch. The dedicated elephant handlers have formed strong bonds with the animals and are happy to share their knowledge, answer questions, and tell the stories of how each elephant became a part of the Abu herd.

Beyond the elephants, the Abu Concession is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Wild elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, large herds of buffalo, and several species of antelope are often spotted. Predators such as spotted hyenas and leopards are frequently seen on game drives, and some guests are lucky enough to encounter lions or even packs of wild dogs.

The Abu Concession’s varied habitats—ranging from grasslands and woodlands to lagoons and waterways—provide a haven for around 380 bird species. Bird enthusiasts can look forward to ticking off special sightings such as the Lesser Jacana, Pygmy Goose, Wattled Crane, Coppery-tailed Coucal, and Rosy-throated Longclaw, among others.

Price Includes

The rate includes accommodation, all meals, twice-daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry, and all local drinks (excluding premium imported brands and champagne).