Wilderness Jao is one of the most beautiful and luxurious camps in the Okavango Delta and in our opinion one of the top 6 camps in Botswana. Wilderness Jao Camp is the flagship camp of the private 150,000 acre Jao Concession on the western side of the Okavango; an area of astonishing beauty.
Maun Airport (MUB)
Like its sister camps, Wilderness Kwetsani & Wilderness Jacana activities are mainly water based; boating, fishing, mokoro trips but also game drives over to the west where, depending on water levels, a boat trip to the vehicles is required. This is one of the best areas to see the Sitatunga antelope band there are also very large herds of red Lechwe. Hippo and crocodile are regularly sighted and tsessebe, elephant, wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah and leopard are often sighted on the floodplains. Birding is excellent in the area which include large concentrations of the endangered Wattled Crane and also the Africa Skimmer is also seen on the larger lagoons.
Wilderness Jao has 5 expansive and luxurious canvas safari suites. Each has a double vanity unit with views out over the water, indoor and outdoor showers, a veranda, an indoor lounge area and an outdoor sala and plunge pool to relax in the afternoons. There are also 2 very large two-bedroom villas with private plunge pools and their own private butlers, chefs, guides, and vehicles. There is also the chance for a sleep out at the camps star bed. The main area is very cleverly constructed over 2 floors with a lounge and dining area, Wilderness Jao’s Museum & Gallery and a small library. There is a curio shop and a boma for outdoor dining; there is also an excellent wine cellar, a gym and Spa which offers a wide range of massage therapies and treatments.
We’ll meet at 4 p.m. at our hotel in Luzern (Lucerne) for a “Welcome to Switzerland” meeting. Then we’ll take a meandering evening walk through Switzerland’s most charming lakeside town, and get acquainted with one another over dinner together. Sleep in Luzern (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Enjoy an orientation walk of Zurich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. Then, leave Zurich and start your Swiss adventure. You’ll quickly discover that Switzerland isn’t just home to the Alps, but also to some of the most beautiful lakes. First, stop at the foot of the Jura Mountains in the picturesque town of Biel, known as Bienne by French-speaking Swiss, famous for watch-making, and explore the historical center. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to lakeside Neuchâtel, dominated by the medieval cathedral and castle. Time to stroll along the lake promenade before continuing to stunning Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland, with its fantastic lakeside location and breathtaking panoramas of the Alps.
Our morning drive takes us from Swiss lakes to Swiss Army. At the once-secret Swiss army bunker at Fortress Fürigen, we’ll see part of the massive defense system designed to keep Switzerland strong and neutral. Afterward, a short drive into the countryside brings us to the charming Alpine village of Engelberg, our picturesque home for the next two days. We’ll settle into our lodge then head out for an orientation walk. Our stroll through the village will end at the Engelberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with its own cheese-making operation. You’ll have free time to wander back before dinner together. Sleep in Engelberg (2 nights). Bus: 1 hr. Walking: light.
An unforgettable trip to the high Alpine wonderland of ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. Globus Local Favorite At an amazing 11,332 feet, the JUNGFRAUJOCH is Europe’s highest railway station. Jungfrau’s 13,642-foot summit was first ascended in 1811 and in 1912 the rack railway was opened. There are lots of things to do here: enjoy the ALPINE SENSATION, THE PANORAMA 360° EXPERIENCE, and the ICE PALACE. Also receive your JUNGFRAU PASSPORT as a souvenir to take home with you. The round trip to the “Top of Europe” by MOUNTAIN TRAIN will take most of the day.
