Wilderness Pelo

OVERVIEW:

Wilderness Pelo is an excellent little property that offers superb value in what is usually a very expensive part of the Delta. The private Jao Reserve is a vast 60,000-hectare concession full of palm-fringed islands, sparkling lagoons, and floodplains. However, with a maximum of 48 guests allowed within the reserve at one time, it feels like you have the place to yourself. This is where you come to experience life in the waterways – it’s fantastic for boating, traditional mokoro canoes, and catch-and-release fishing. As Wilderness Pelo is primarily a wet camp with a focus on water activities, we suggest combining it with a dry camp, located in one of the other outstanding reserves within the Okavango Delta. Wilderness Pelo is open annually from 1st March to 30th November. Rates are full board and include accommodation, all meals, twice-daily scheduled camp activities, local drinks, laundry, and park fees.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Wilderness Pelo is located within pristine wilderness on a heart-shaped island in the western Okavango Delta’s wildlife-rich Jao Reserve. Fittingly, the word Pelo means ‘heart’ in the local Setswana language. The camp is accessed via a 45-minute boat transfer from the local airstrip (or road transfer, depending on the water levels) – a delightful way to arrive at this rustic hideaway in the heart of the Delta.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT WILDERNESS PELO CAMP:

Wilderness Pelo has just five Meru-style tents, raised slightly above ground level on wooden decking and well spaced amidst wild date palms, jackalberry, and mahogany trees on the island’s shoreline. All accommodations have wonderful verandas, with outdoor seating and stunning views, that bring you close to the sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta (the glorious bullfrog chorus is an often-overlooked delight). Interiors feature double or twin beds, bedside lighting, an overhead fan, a writing desk and chair, a comfy seating area, and a storage trunk. Additional amenities include a charging station and a tea-and-coffee station. Behind the bed is a washbasin, while a flush toilet and a shower are positioned at the back of the tent. The camp provides a good assortment of toiletries and a wardrobe, offering extra storage space, a safe, and a few essential items, including mosquito repellent, a yoga mat, and some light weights. Finally, there’s an outdoor shower with views to one side of the main deck.

Sandy pathways through the trees connect the guest tents to Wilderness Pelo’s communal areas, which include a lounge and a dining tent. In common with the guest accommodation, the main areas benefit from a shady position and are raised above the ground on timber beams. The lounge tent has comfortable sofas and armchairs, with a delightful viewing deck that looks out over the water so you can watch whatever wildlife passes through. You also face west, which means a front-row seat as the sun sets over the Delta. The camp’s well-stocked bar is set up nearby, and the friendly staff are always on hand to serve you refreshments. The dining tent contains a long communal table where everyone eats together, sharing tales of the day’s sightings. There’s also a shaded boma for al-fresco dining and a fire-pit that invites guests to gather and swap safari stories beneath the stars. A short distance from the main tents, another deck area features a small plunge pool with sunloungers and parasols, boasting sensational views of the floodplains. As with all Wilderness properties, every effort is made to be as environmentally low impact as possible, with 100 percent solar power, barely any plastics, and natural materials used in the construction. Wilderness Pelo is rustic and adventurous, but as it’s owned and run by Wilderness, one of the premier safari operators on the continent, the food and guides are excellent. The camp is top rated and can get booked quickly due to its location, fantastic value, and consistently great reviews.

ACTIVITIES AT WILDERNESS PELO CAMP:

Wilderness Pelo offers an exciting variety of activities, mostly water based. With very few other camps in the concession, the landscape here is pristine and brimming with wildlife, and this is one of the best places for mokoro boating in Botswana.

• Mokoro canoes

  – The emphasis at Wilderness Pelo is on mokoro canoe excursions, with up-close wildlife encounters as you silently glide through the endless water channels of the Delta. There are wonderful opportunities to meet some of the smaller species, such as reed frogs and myriad birds, and to get a closer look at the spectacular flora. The best times are from June to September, when the water is at its highest, and each canoe can accommodate a couple, with an experienced poler leading the way.

• Nature walks

  – Accompanied by an expert private guide, take a walk on one of the low sandy islands and learn about the sustainable way of life of the River Bushman people in this area.

• Boating

  – The boating safaris here are spectacular, and specially adapted engines allow the boats to operate year round, even when the water levels are lower. See elephants wading through the waterways, hippos, crocs, and stunningly varied birdlife. The Okavango Delta has some of the best boating in Africa. 

• Fishing

  – Fishing is also an option, and although it’s not for everyone, lifting a catfish from the Delta can be quite a thrill. Naturally, the camp operates a catch-and-release policy. Wilderness Pelo has a limited supply of spinner rods and a small range of lures. Fishing is usually possible from March through November (please note that this activity is prohibited by Botswana law in January and February due to breeding purposes).

•  Helicopter flights

  – The experience of soaring over the Okavango region is well worth the additional cost. From the air, you’ll enjoy views of parts of the Delta that are inaccessible via land or water. It’s an amazing way of seeing this extraordinary landscape from the sky, and you certainly cover more terrain, potentially stopping off for a picnic or glass of champagne in a spectacular setting.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.