THE ULTIMATE AFRICAN SAFARI

LARA SAGE takes us to two luxury lodges in the transient watery landscape of Africa's Okavango Delta - the architectural marvel that is Jao, and decadent Mombo, teeming with wildlife.

- LARA SAGE

JAO

Conservation and hospitality company Wilderness (formerly Wilderness Safari) operates over 60 lodges and camps across eight African countries – including in Botswana’s famed Okavango.

One of those, Wilderness Jao, opened in 1999 but has more recently had a complete revamp – with awe-inspiring results. The astounding installation of a giraffe skeleton in the library is one photo-worthy highlight, and the woven iconic bird nest structure at the swimming pool is another – it hovers just above the ebb and flow of delta water that arrives and then recedes again each year.

In fact, the entire lodge is elevated, creating a bird’s eye view of the meandering river below, where wildlife passes through, grazing and drinking. The new sustainable lodge was refurbished using synthetic materials that look like palm fronds for roofing, and with long-lasting supports and fire-retardant thatching. The design allows light into the buildings and panoramic views out. Slender sticks are bound together to create awnings and dappled shade, effective in the heat of summer.

The lodge is shaded by ebony trees (known as jackal berry trees), sycamore figs, leadwood and marula trees. Marula fruit is a yellow bulb housing a tart, white pulp that’s popular among wildlife. It’s also used to make a silky local liqueur, Amarula Cream, which blends fermented and distilled marula fruit with cream and sugar to make a sweet, butterscotch-flavoured drink.

In keeping with the sustainable nature of the makeover at Jao, the original carved rosewood has been used in the library and spa, leaving no material to go to waste. The original balustrade and large wide steps have been incorporated along the elevated walkways to the guest suites.