Abu Camp: Our full report

Located on the edge of a permanent lagoon in a grove of towering hardwood trees, Abu Camp is one of the most ...

... luxurious and expensive camps in Botswana. For many years it was owned and sporadically run by its founder, the charismatic Randall Jay Moore. During this time it gained a reputation as the place to ride African elephants in a pristine wilderness environment, and attracted the world's glitterati.

However, we’re very pleased to say that as of 31 December 2016, Abu stopped all riding of the Abu Herd and in mid 2021 they also stopped walking and other close interactions with the Abu herd. Their elephant programme now focuses on elephant conservation, observing them in the wild and getting to know their individual characters on a 4 x 4 game drive.

Randall Moore has now moved on to pastures new but we don't envisage the upmarket nature (or the price tag) of Abu disappearing any time soon, given that the camp is now part-owned by Paul Allen (of Microsoft fame) and managed by Wilderness Safaris.

The whole of Abu Camp was rebuilt and refurbished in early 2011 and on our last visit, we were really impressed with this now immaculately designed safari lodge, with rooms the size of small apartments finished to the highest specifications, with quality furnishings and service of the very best standard.

Accommodation at Abu Camp consists of just six tented suites which all face out onto the lagoon. Their basic design – of timber frames with canvas walls and with large mesh windows that keep insects out but let the breeze in – is relatively typical of many other safari camps in the Okavango Delta. Where Abu Camp's suites differ, however, is in their décor: each is unique.

Our team member's suite stretched linearly along the bank of the lagoon so that the bedroom, study area and bathroom all faced out onto the water. The study area, with a writing table and comfortable leather deckchair, offers an excellent place from which to update your travel journal or to relax and read one of the old books provided (circa 1870). Perhaps what most impressed us though were the glass cabinets set either side of the desk, each containing various local artefacts as well as samples of rocks and minerals found in southern Africa – it was like having your own small museum. More practically, the study area also boasts a good selection of power points for both European and US plugs.

The other side of each suite is taken up with a king-sized bed and a couple of chairs, plus a cabinet containing a minibar and tea and coffee station. There's no air-conditioning at Abu but it's hardly needed given the open nature of the suites. When it does get really hot, a couple of ceiling fans, one right above the bed, do a really good job of keeping the temperature down.

An open doorway, which can be screened by a drop-down canvas curtain, leads from the 'bedroom' to the en-suite bathroom. In our suite the bathroom consisted of twin basins set in a black marble unit beneath a large mirror. There was a large walk in shower here, too, as well as a lot of hanging space and a luggage rack, while a separate room with a door housed the toilet. A sliding door from the shower opened onto the L shaped veranda, where there was a clawfoot bathtub. As at most camps, there are some complimentary toiletries provided, plus there is a hairdryer.

Around the corner from the bathtub, the wooden veranda extends to the front of each suite, which, depending on the water levels has water from the lagoon lapping right up to its stilts. With some really comfortable sala beds, this is a great place to relax and take in the birdlife. Guests in the honeymoon suite have their own private plunge pool, too.

Making good use of a natural resource, the suites are linked by elephant dung pathways. This may sound unpleasant but when compacted it makes for a soft, comfortable and pleasant walk as opposed to dust and sand.

Abu Camp's split-level main area is very impressive indeed. We're told it was designed with 'free-flow' as its inspiration, and the colour scheme of beige and greys taken from the elephants. It is all very contemporary. The open nature of the camp means that its elevated position provides great views across the floodplains.

At the very heart of this is a massive termite mound – not surprisingly this is the first thing that catches your eye you when you enter camp! Next to this is a small, open-air lounge with several comfy sofas and chairs. From this central spot, the main camp facilities radiate out across decks at various levels, each with about three to four steps separating them. The upper most deck has a large lounge divided by the stylish yet comfortable sofas and chairs into several small private lounge spaces. It also has the main dining room to the back. Here tables can be laid out for one sociable gathering or very easily into individual tables for private dining – whichever is preferred. This is also where you will find a large tea and coffee station.

Another deck is usually used solely for private dining/seating. The lowest level leads to the fire pit where breakfast is often served. This is also a lovely spot for pre and post dinner drinks. A further deck protrudes out towards the floodplain where you will find the viewing scope and is also another spot used for dining.

Abu Camp has to be one of the most flexible and laid back, in terms of timings and locations for meals and drinks, that we know of in the Botswana!

Slightly away from the main area is the library. Often, when talking about 'libraries' at safari camps, we're referring to a glorified bookcase; not so at Abu Camp. Theirs is the most comprehensive collection of fact and fiction (of both Africana and more general literature) that we have ever seen at a safari lodge. Dining can also be arranged here. There is also a 'communications centre' room with a laptop discretely positioned to allow guests who wish to touch base with the outside world to do so, while those who do not wish to can put it out of their minds. As you might expect from a lodge part-owned by the co-founder of Microsoft, the internet connectivity is very good and those with their own portable device have access to WiFi throughout the main area. There is also a TV/DVD player descretely hidden away.

Down at ground level, and set to the side of the main area, is the swimming pool with a wooden deck set with a few recliners. Slightly further back there is also a simple gym with a treadmill, rowing machine and a few free weights, but almost as a reminder of more hedonistic pleasures, there's a large pizza oven just outside the door. Here, under the guidance of Abu's chef, guests can create their own masterpiece.

Activities at Abu Camp include game drives, night drives, boat trips, guided walks and mokoro trips.

Our view

With just six tented suites, Abu Camp is very exclusive, and offers high levels of service – it really is a cut above most other camps. Opulence and service aside, the camp's major attraction is walking with the resident herd of habituated elephants, a unique experience which, if budget allows, is amazing. Note, however, that aside from the elephants, wildlife attractions in the Abu reserve don't match those in the better areas of the Okavango Delta.

Tracy Lederer

Country manager: Botswana

Geographics

Location: Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
Ideal length of stay: We’d recommend a stay of two nights at Abu, taking advantage of the elephant activity and perhaps getting out on the water to appreciate the spectacular landscape.
Directions: Abu is accessible only by light aircraft; the airstrip is roughly 20 minutes away from camp by 4WD vehicle.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: On our last visit to Abu Camp the food was excellent. Not only did it taste fantastic but it was also presented immaculately and always by someone with a smile.

A light breakfast is served at the elephants' enclosure or around the camp fire; cereals, fruit and a variety of muffins, croissants, pancakes and scones with jams and various spreads are all on offer.

Lunch began with a green-pea soup with freshly baked bread rolls. The main course was a tasty beef lasagna, accompanied by a green salad with plenty of dressing.

Tea was a feast to behold! Mini lemon meringue pies, butternut and leek tartlets, meringue cases filled with plums and cream, sumptuous chocolate cake, watermelon and a few other goodies, all accompanied by freshly made lemonade and iced tea. A real treat.

For dinner we started with the choice of a very tasty curried butternut soup or haloumi spring rolls. The main course was beef medallions, cooked to perfection, with rosti potatoes (or chicken with onion sauce and wild rice), both accompanied by carrots and broccoli. Dessert was a tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream.

The selection of wine at Abu is varied and lunch and dinner were accompanied by a well-suited vintage.
Dining style: Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: No, although private meals can be organised for special occasions on request.
Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

Special interests

Wildlife safaris: Abu Camp is renowned for its Abu elephant herd, which used to be an habituated herd but now mingles with other wild elephants.; See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Botswana
Luxury: Six opulent tents at Abu Camp are individually designed and decorated, all featuring an outdoor copper bathtub and plunge pool.; See ideas for Luxury in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of 12 years of age and over are accepted at Abu Camp. For children aged 8–12 a private vehicle must be booked in advance. Children under 8 years of age are usually not accepted but this can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Property’s age restrictions: No children under 8 years of age (unless by prior arrangement).
Special activities & services: None
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: We don’t think that Abu is suitable for young children.
Notes: Abu is a very open camp and the elephants often wander through the camp and on the paths, so parents must supervise their children at all times.

Communications

Communications: There is Wi-Fi in the main area and a ‘communications centre’ with a laptop linked to the internet available for guests’ use. Internet connectivity is very good here.
TV & radio: There is a TV kept discretely in the main area of the camp which receives a number of satellite channels and can be used to show DVDs from the library.
Water supply: Borehole

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There are trained first-aiders on site and for serious incidents there’s a medical air-evacuation system in place. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Guests are escorted to and from their rooms after dark as dangerous wildlife is known to wander through the camp. A thorough safety briefing is given on arrival. A fog-horn in each tent is available to summon help in case of a medical emergency.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers around camp and fire assembly points are identified to guests when they first arrive.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Elephant encounter
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Included
Money: No exchange facilities are offered at Abu. There are small safes in all the rooms, as well as a larger one in the office.
Accepted payment on location: MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted; Diners and Amex are not. Cash in the form of South African rand, GB sterling, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula is accepted.