There is a maximum of 10 clients per safari. Safaris start on a Wednesday and finish on a Monday.
The elephant was ennobled by Plato as a "philosopher-statesman"; ready and eager to co-operate with mankind for the good of creation. And yet, throughout Africa for centuries, man has persecuted and slaughtered this, the planet's largest and most intelligent land mammal. Randall Jay Moore opted for Plato's approach. At Abu Camp, he has dispelled for all time the myth that the African elephant can never be trained. Never tamed, remember, for Abu and his herd have the run of half a million acres of Botswana Okavango Delta, one of the last of Africas true, pristine wildernesses. Guests at Abu Camp are invited to share with this elephant family what is, without doubt, the ultimate safari.

Abu, the legendary tusker star of such motion pictures as "White Hunter, Black Heart" and "Power of One", leads the herd of twelve elephants with matriarch Cathy, Benny the gentle giant and the dependable Mthondo Mbomvo. The nine youngsters range from independent-minded teenagers like Thando to the lovable, cheeky youngster Seba, and new arrival Pula born late last year (see section 'The Elephants' for more details on our herd). You will get to know them all and will not fail to be enthralled by the interaction between them as they carry you in stately, silent grandeur through the bush.

No effort has been spared to ensure that guests enjoy this unique experience in total comfort and safety. During your Elephant Back Safari, you will be seated in large padded saddles which are mounted behind the most experienced and knowledgeable elephant-handlers in Africa. Abu and company are delighted to have you on board. As you will discover, they enjoy the ride as much as you do!

The camp, concealed in an ancient riverine forest, consists of five custom-built, stylishly-furnished tents with en-suite bathrooms. Your private, tree-shaded deck with a hammock overlooks a lagoon frequented by a myriad of bird and animal life.

Our elephant back safaris offer many magical, memorable moments, not least the opportunity to come very close to and even mingle with the wild animals. The herds of giraffe, zebra and antelope are unconcerned by the approach of the elephant herd of which you are a privileged part. We also offer game drives in open (+500 species!) or a day spent drifting through the tranquil waters of the delta in a mokoro, the traditional dugout craft of the Okavango.

The large dining, bar and relaxation area is on tiered teak decking sculpted around specimens of the magnificent giant trees of the Okavango. Sundowners around a traditional campfire are followed by five-star meals prepared by our expert safari chefs and, include candlelight and the finest wines. All this accompanied, of course, by the nocturne of the African bush... the lion's roar, the hippo's snort, the jackal's eerie wail and the haunting calls of owl and nightjar.

The elephant back safaris are based at Abu Camp on the western side of the Delta. Set in half a million acres of private concession, this tranquil shady corner of heaven is in a pristine wilderness, threaded by crystal waters. Surrounded by open grasslands, island sanctuaries and the papyrus-fringed channels, which make this part of Africa unique, Abu Camp is the perfect spot from which to explore the mysteries and magnificence of this ancient land.

Abu Camp's atmosphere is that of the ultimate house party created each week for ten guests. A ratio of four staff to each guest ensures the best of attention and service. Accommodation is in luxurious custom-designed tents, raised on teak decking and overlooking a lagoon. The tents, described as Bedouin influence meets the African bush, 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, shower and flush toilet. Every tent has a different style but all reflect the very high standard that defines Abu Camp.

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 displayed. Pictures of Abu and the elephant family abound. In fact 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.
There is no electricity at the camp and all the lights and hot water is powered by solar batteries. Therefore we cannot offer phones, faxes, or email facilities (although these can be dealt with through our office in Maun). In truth you are in the middle of the wilderness, and that is the charm of this safari. We can however recharge video camera batteries, and for this please bring a 220v adaptor for a three-pronged round plug.
Sample itinerary is:

Day 1 - Wednesday: 
On arrival at Maun airport you will be met by a member
of Elephant Back Safaris staff, and transferred to a light aircraft for your
30 minute flight over the Okavango Delta to Abu Camp. After lunch you will
have a couple of hours free to orientate yourselves and relax before tea,
then you will be introduced to the elephants. There follows a short ride,
returning to the camp in time for sundowners on the deck, followed by dinner
which will be served on the main deck. After dinner you can enjoy drinks
around the fire.

Days 2 - 4 (Thursday through Sunday). 
The day starts with an early morning
elephant ride starting any time from 0700. This is usually the preferred
morning activity. Sometimes you'll return to Abu in time for lunch,
otherwise you'll ride out to a picnic lunch spot on one of the islands for a
late brunch followed by a siesta under the shade of tall palm trees. The
elephants are free to browse the palm islands before taking everyone back to
camp on a relaxing late afternoon ride. Or a 4WD vehicle will be made available for an afternoon game drive - with mokoros available when there is water - and the opportunity to head further into the concession. You might want to spend an afternoon relaxing in your tent, or utilising the well-stocked library in the mess tent where a number of reference books and beautiful coffee table books on Africa are displayed. In the evening sundowners may be served on the main deck, or perhaps you will drive out to our magnificent baobab trees where a beautifully laid table awaits, and our
safari chef has conjured up a magnificent bush dinner under the stars. We
also offer night drives with a spotlight and the opportunity to do a game
flight over the Delta in a helicopter.

Day 5 (Monday) 
Dependant on your onward flight arrangements from Maun, you
can enjoy a last outing with the elephants before flying out from Abu Camp.

"Elephants are complete hedonists. They have been able over aeons to
cultivate and polish a daily routine of relaxed enjoyment, eating, bathing,
meditating and going for long walks through the bush. And that is exactly
what this safari is all about. Abu Camp has elaborated this lifestyle in to
a series of dreamlike adventures, simple dawn and sunset rambles or day long
outings across the floodplains in the company of Africa's finest travelling
companions. There is no better way of interacting with the wilderness and
wildlife of the Delta. An elephant not only is 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 aloft. 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."

Impressions of Abu
· 'There I was sweltering beneath the protective might of Abu's tusks, his huge feet by mine, his huge head above mine. Before I knew it I was at one with Abu; it was as if I too were an elephant. Unbidden, a whole new world revealed itself; for all my safari years, I had only ever been an outsider looking in. With the abruptness of the African sunrise, the mist cleared and I glimpsed the bush as "they" knew it - "they" of course being those humble beings I had come to see.' - Michael Powers
* 'This must be the greatest camp in all of Africa' - Jack Lemmon
* 'One of the 10 things to do before you die!'- Forbes 
* 'If you only do one safari in your entire lifetime, this is the one' - CNN
* 'The Ultimate Safari' - Laurian Brown, House & Leisure