Hidden amongst lush riverside vegetation, Wilderness Safaris Abu Camp offers high-end luxury and comfort within an extraordinary landscape. The diverse landscape provides the habitats for a rich and abundant variety of game and birdlife, making for an incredible safari experience.
Awarded: Silver
Location
Abu Camp is located in the private 400,000-acre Abu Concession at the heart of the Okavango Delta. Its stunning natural beauty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a large population of elephant rescued from hunting or exploitation.
To access Abu, take a transfer via light aircraft; the airstrip is only 20 minutes from the camp.
Facilities
Among Abu’s facilities is a stylish, open-sided lounge with comfortable wicker seating and a library, as well as a restaurant and bar raised on wooden decks wrapped around ancient sycamore fig and ebony trees. The camp also contains a plunge pool and well-equipped gym.
Meals are served to high standards with local ingredients, with light buffet breakfasts, two-course lunches, exquisite afternoon teas, and three-course dinners, accompanied by a varied wine selection.
Rooms
This small camp comprises just six tents, all of which are secluded in an ancient forest overlooking a large lagoon. The canvas-and-timber tents are fitted with comfortable king-sized beds, a study/lounge area complete with a writing desk and comfortable seating, and an en-suite bathroom. As well as an indoor shower and twin basins, suites come with an outdoor shower and clawfoot copper bath. A private viewing deck wrapping around each tent is fitted with comfortable sala beds, perfect for relaxing in front of the great riverside views.
The Elephant Villa is located on the opposite side of the lagoon and contains two bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, and a large lounge space. Abu Private Villa is larger again, accommodating up to four guests.
Part of the charm of Abu Camp is that each tent or villa is luxuriously upholstered in a unique style. Regardless of the colour palette, décor in these rooms is fresh, contemporary and stylish, with high vaulted ceilings and big windows to create a bright and airy feel.
Activities
Game drives and guided walks operate from the camp both day and night, providing guests with the opportunity to track the conservation’s abundant game varieties, which include everything from giraffe and elephant to impala and warthog.
Taking to the water, guests can take a boating safari or try their hand at paddling a mekoro (dug-out canoe) boat along the lagoon. Helicopter trips over the Okavango Delta offer spectacular views.
After a long day of exploration, unwind with a massage treatment before heading to the Abu Star Bed Camp, where you can sleep out in a shaded boma canopy beneath the stars.
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
Many animals give birth to their young during this period, bringing a new lease of life to the area. This is also a great time of year to see migratory bird species. Water levels are low, not ideal for water-based actives.
Wettest time of the year, with rain falling most days of the month, although rarely prolonged in nature. Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 31°C/88°F midday, while the nights average 20°C/68°F.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
Many animals give birth to their young during this period, bringing a new lease of life to the area. This is also a great time of year to see migratory bird species. Water levels are low, not ideal for water-based actives.
Wettest time of the year, with rain falling most days of the month, although rarely prolonged in nature. Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 31°C/88°F midday, while the nights average 20°C/68°F.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
Many animals give birth to their young during this period, bringing a new lease of life to the area. This is also a great time of year to see migratory bird species. Water levels are low, not ideal for water-based actives.
Wettest time of the year, with rain falling most days of the month, although rarely prolonged in nature. Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 31°C/88°F midday, while the nights average 20°C/68°F.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
DRY SEASON
The Okavango River begins to flood the delta, gradually from north to south, drawing in wildlife from surrounding areas as the dry season progresses.
Midday temperatures are more pleasant, falling to an average high of 31°C/88°F by May. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so it is advisable to pack some warm clothes.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
DRY SEASON – START OF THE DELTA FLOODS
The Okavango River begins to flood the delta, gradually from north to south, drawing in wildlife from surrounding areas as the dry season progresses.
Midday temperatures are more pleasant, falling to an average high of 31°C/88°F by May. Mornings can be surprisingly cool, so it is advisable to pack some warm clothes.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
DRY SEASON – DELTA IN FLOOD
The landscape continues to dry up around Botswana, with the exception of the Okavango Delta which continues to flood – this stark difference pulls in huge volumes of wildlife, offering spectacular game viewing opportunities.
Midday temperatures are rather cool averaging around 25°C/77°F, mornings are cold, occasionally sub-zero, so be sure to pack warm clothes!
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
DRY SEASON – DELTA IN FLOOD
The landscape continues to dry up around Botswana, with the exception of the Okavango Delta which continues to flood – this stark difference pulls in huge volumes of wildlife, offering spectacular game viewing opportunities.
Midday temperatures are rather cool averaging around 25°C/77°F, mornings are cold, occasionally sub-zero, so be sure to pack warm clothes!
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies still dominate. Midday temperatures begin to rise and can at times be hot. Morning remain surprisingly cool.
Botswana has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from October through to early May, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. As Botswana is predominately a safari destination we would generally recommend visiting during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up, wildlife becomes more concentrated around the rivers and watercourse while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility.
Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, large flowing rivers and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
There are also two significant exceptions to the above rule of thumb; Kalahari Desert and the Makgadikgadi which come into their own during the wet season as wildlife moves in to take advantage of the fresh, lush grass.
Temperatures can be very high in and around the wet season; when the sunlight is at its strongest, however nights can be cool to sub-freezing throughout the year. So, don’t forget to pack warm clothing!
DRY SEASON – DELTA IN FLOOD
The landscape continues to dry up around Botswana, with the exception of the Okavango Delta which is now in full flood – this stark difference pulls in huge volumes of wildlife, offering spectacular game viewing opportunities.
Midday temperatures are a pleasant to hot averaging between 28°C/82°F and 32°C/77°F. Mornings are cool, so be sure to pack a warm fleece.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
DRY SEASON
It has been months since the initial flooding of the Okavango River, leading ultimately to the flooding of the vast Okavango Delta; the flood waters now gradually recede as time moves on.
Game viewing remains spectacular during October; however, temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with midday temperatures over 40°C/104°F not uncommon. We suggest early morning starts during this time to make the most of the cool temperatures!
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
WET SEASON
The first rains arrive, usually in the form of sharp afternoon showers, at the same time the delta levels continue to drop; ultimately this disperses wildlife out of the delta.
The temperatures remain hot, while the humidity adds level of discomfort. Game viewing can still be good, but just be prepared for a little heat.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
Many animals give birth to their young during this period, bringing a new lease of life to the area. This is also a great time of year to see migratory bird species. Water levels are low, not ideal for water-based actives.
Like the rest of Botswana, the Okavango Delta and Moremi areas have very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain occurs sporadically usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from late October through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. Although the region offers fantastic game viewing throughout the year, the best period to visit is during the floods which conversely corresponds to the dry season. The annual flooding of the delta acts like a magnet drawing in huge concentrations of wildlife, it is simply unlike anything else in Africa!
Once the rains arrive wildlife tends to move outside of the delta to graze on the fresh grass in areas such as the Kalahari. Game viewings can still be good, birding fantastic and prices significantly less than the dry season.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
