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Abu Camp, Elephant back Safaris, Okavango Delta
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Abu Camp is home to elephant back Safaris, in the Okavango Delta. The camp is set in a 400 000 acre private concession - a tranquil shady corner of heaven in a pristine wilderness, threaded throughout by the crystal waters of the Delta. Abu Camp is surrounded by open grasslands, island sanctuaries and the papyrus-fringed channels, which make this part of Africa unique.
Abu Camp's atmosphere is that of a small house party created each week for just 12 guests. A ratio of four staff to each guest ensures the best of attention and service. Accommodation is in 6 luxurious custom-designed tents, raised on teak decking and overlooking a lagoon. There is a newly opened Abu Villa, which can sleep 4, and is perfect for families. However, the Camp will not take more than 12 guests at one time, unless booked as a private group. The tents, have fully zipped entrances, and roll down canvas on the windows. All the tents are beautifully and individually furnished with mahogany four-poster beds or antique sleigh beds.
Each tent has an en-suite bathroom complete with copper or porcelain baths, bath, shower and flush toilet. The tents all have a different style but all reflect the very high standard that defines Abu Camp. Each also boats a private viewing deck, which overlooks the lagoon.
The dining area is set on layered teak decking that winds its way around African Ebony and Sycamore Fig trees. An expert safari chef conjures up magnificent meals, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. Sundowners are served in the shade of these majestic and ancient trees with abundant cocktails on ice.
The lounge tent is the perfect place to relax in soft and comfortable chairs. A well-stocked library is available to all, with a number of reference books and beautiful coffee table books on Africa. Pictures of Abu and the elephant family abound. Indeed elephants are reflected everywhere, from charming ornaments placed by the baths, to carved elephants walking down the centre of the table at dinner time.
So, whether one wishes to commune quietly with the silence of the bush from the veranda of one's own tent, or exchange stories around the fire at the mess tent, Abu Camp is the perfect hideaway for a safari to remember and savour for ever. Abu Camp also offers game drives, night drives, walks and mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris, in addition to the Elephant interactions.
THE ELEPHANTS
The camp is named after Randall Moore's legendary elephant 'Abu', the star of such motion pictures as 'White Hunter Black Heart', and 'The Power of One', and who, sadly, passed away in 2003. Abu is an Arabic word meaning 'everything to do with elephants'. Currently there is a herd of five adults and seven juveniles ranging from five years old to 40 years old.
Elephants are complete hedonists. Their stately being is animated by a streak of pure frivolity. Unthreatened, except by drought and man, they have been able, over eons to cultivate and polish a daily routine of relaxed enjoyment, eating, bathing, meditating and going for long walks. And that is exactly what this safari is all about. Abu Camp has elaborated this lifestyle into a series of adventures, simple dawn and sunset rambles or daylong outings across the floodplains in the company of Africa's finest travelling companions. There is surely no better way of interacting with the wilderness and wildlife of the Delta.
At Abu Camp, guests are transported in large comfortable custom-made saddles into the shimmering watercolour of the Delta, on the most effective of all 4x4's. An elephant is not only able to cope in water and sand with equal ease, but can also get really close to other game, which is generally unaware of the human presence. But the real kick lies in the extraordinary experience of the elephant perspective, walking beside them or riding high through the bush, at one with the largest ears, and the longest noses in the world. The youngsters cavort and roll in the water, wander off, and come charging back. The adults amble quietly on, browsing, snapping off the odd branch to munch on as they go. Expressive long-lashed eyes reveal patience, mischief and pleasure. "The Ultimate Safari".
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