Pelo Camp sits on a small heart-shaped island deep in the Jao Concession of the Okavango Delta, and the name is fitting – "Pelo" means "heart" in Setswana. This is one of Wilderness Safaris' more modest properties, opened in 2013, and it's deliberately kept small with just five tented accommodations. The camp runs entirely on solar power and maintains a genuinely eco-friendly footprint with no permanent structures. What makes Pelo different from many other delta camps is its location on an island surrounded by permanent water, which means there's no access to traditional game drive areas. This isn't a place you come for big cat sightings or the Big Five experience – it's all about embracing a slower, more water-focused safari.
The activities here reflect that aquatic environment completely. You'll spend your time gliding through shallow floodplains in mokoros, exploring channels by motorboat, walking on islands, and possibly trying your hand at catch-and-release fishing for tigerfish. The guides are particularly passionate about the smaller details – birdlife, frogs, the intricate workings of the delta ecosystem. There are excellent chances of spotting Pel's fishing owl and endangered species like the wattled crane. You might also encounter elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, lechwe, and even the occasional leopard, but the focus is really on appreciating the delta's quieter wonders.
The atmosphere is rustic and authentic rather than polished luxury. The main area sits under wild date palms, jackalberry, and Natal mahogany trees, with a raised viewing deck that's perfect for sundowners. It's the kind of place that appeals to travelers who want a genuine wilderness experience and are happy to trade game drive excitement for the peaceful magic of being deep in the heart of the Okavango's waterways.
