ABU CAMP
BECOME PART OF AN AFRICAN ELEPHANT HEARD
Abu Camp is situated on a vast private reserve in the heart of Okavango Delta. With its shady trees and views overlooking a tranquil lagoon, Abu Camp is a haven of tranquility and seclusion. Few bush camps have received such world–wide acclaim as this one, which offers the unique experience of an immersive interaction between you and these African elephants amidst the natural beauty of the Okavango Delta.
After having been a guest at Abu Camp you will leave with a greater understanding of the largest land mammal on earth. Spending time with these intelligent, sensitive creatures can be a life changing experience. Elephants have a profound capacity to feel and an incredible, near mystical, ability to communicate across miles of African bush.
Abu Camp is open year round.
ACCOMMODATIONS
An imaginative use of canvas has created a unique and luxurious style of tent. Each of the six en-suite units has distinctive furnishings and fittings. These airy tents feature both indoor and outdoor showers, an outdoor copper bath and an elevated teak deck, with a glorious view across a lagoon.
Dining
Internationally trained chefs provide creative cuisine of the highest standards. Meals, that for the most part are served al fresco on the deck under the Stars of Botswana, are superbly complimented by wine from the extensive Abu cellar.
CONSERVATION
The whole premise on which Abu Camp is based is that of elephant conservation. These largest of land mammals are a keystone species on whose conservation the existence of many other aspects of biodiversity depends. The Abu conservation strategy is based on key issues impacting the conservation of southern Africa’s elephants through partnerships with several different research institutions. Chief among these are Elephant Without Borders and Elephants for Africa, two of Botswana’s forward thinking NGOs both of which focus on important aspects of elephant conservation and behavior. Research goals include investigating important aspects of elephant conservation and behavior. It is hoped that the lessons learned can make a positive contribution to the future survival of elephants across Africa.
The camps’ original vision has always been to return elephants that have spent much of their life in captivity back into the African wild. With individuals rescued from the effects of poaching or culling operations, Abu’s conservation program invests great care in rehabilitation. With the help of Botswana’ Departments of Wildlife and National Parks, nine elephants have thus far been released back into the wild.
ACTIVITIES
Abu Camp is a haven of peace and tranquility where the rhythms of elephant life guide each day’s activities. Meeting Abu Camp’s herd gives you a unique opportunity to interact and learn from these incredible creatures, giving you the rare opportunity to communicate with this special herd of elephants, consisting of mature bulls, cows and calves. Like humans, elephants develop their own personalities from a very early age. Their likes and dislikes, foibles and quirks usually stay with them throughout their long lives. The Abu herd though are much more than mere characters; they are eloquent ambassadors for elephant conservation.
Elephant interaction
Home for the Abu elephants is a large enclosure next to the camp, where they sleep at night and are fed in the mornings and evenings. During the day the entire herd is free to roam the surrounding wilderness. You are invited to become part of the herd during your stay and are welcome to watch them being fed in the evenings, enjoy the frolicking of the calves and accompany them on foot or, when the seasonal floods are on, in mokoros.
The daily itinerary includes safaris walking with the elephants of the Abu herd and see the pristine ecosystem through their eyes. An expert guide and an armed ranger accompany all the walks. The vast, exclusive Abu concession is set within the Okavango Delta and as such is the heart of the rangelands of Africa’s largest surviving meta-herd of elephants. There is also the opportunity to discuss conservation with the local researchers.
Driving Safaris
Morning and afternoon game drives are available. The experience at this camp is about elephants and the spectacular landscape. Beside elephants, the wildlife in the Abu reserve is not as abundant as in other regions in the Okavango Delta.
Mokoro Safari
During the seasonal flooding in the delta, guests are invited to take to the waters via mokoros, the traditional poled dugout canoe used in the Okavango Delta.
WILDLIFE
The essence of the camp is the experience of being part of an elephant herd in their natural habitat. However unlike some of the water-inundated areas of the Okavango Delta, the Abu Concession varies from open grasslands to secluded island sanctuaries and papyrus-fringed channels, allowing for an abundance of other general game. Giraffe, zebra, elephant, impala, tsessebe, lechwe, wildebeest, buffalo and warthog roam the 180 000 hectares. Lions often move through the area too and can sometimes be heard calling at night.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The essence of Abu Camp is the experience of being part of an elephant herd in their natural habitat, so with the proximity to the elephants there are amazing and unique photographic opportunities awaiting guests. The possibility of photographing close up and macro details of adult and baby elephants is unique.
