I came to the Abu Concession to see elephants up close. Not from a vehicle at a distance, but as part of a conservation project that puts them at the center of the experience.
The Abu Concession is in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. It is one of the few safari areas in Africa where elephants are the main story. This is not a cheap safari. It is a deliberate choice for travelers who want to combine luxury with conservation.
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Key Points
- Stay in Abu Concession if you want elephants to be the focus, not just part of the background.
- Expect some of the highest safari prices in Botswana, with luxury camps starting around $2,500 per person per night.
- This is less about ticking off a big game list and more about understanding elephants in depth.
What Makes the Abu Concession Different
The Abu Concession is not like Chobe National Park where elephants gather in massive herds. Here, the focus is on individual elephants. Many were rescued or raised as part of the Abu herd, and they roam freely in the concession.
The guides here know them by name, and you will hear their stories as you track them.
The terrain is a mix of mopane woodland, open plains, and the Okavango Delta’s seasonal waterways. This means you see elephants in very different settings within the same concession.
When I visited, I watched one bull push through tall reeds, water lapping at his shoulders, then later saw a family group dusting themselves on dry ground. The range of habitats makes photography especially rewarding.
Safari Experience in Abu Concession
Most people arrive in the Abu Concession by light aircraft from Maun or Kasane. The flight itself is part of the adventure, with clear views of the Okavango Delta.
Expect to transfer directly to camp vehicles when you land on the airstrip.
Game drives are the main activity, but walks are sometimes possible if conditions allow. Don’t expect high-speed chases after predators like in Duba Plains Reserve. The focus is slower and more deliberate.
You might spend an entire afternoon with one elephant herd instead of rushing across the concession. If you are used to fast-paced safaris, this takes an adjustment, but I found it deeply rewarding.
Night drives can bring surprises. I once saw a serval dart out of the grass here, something I would have missed if I only stayed focused on elephants.
Other wildlife includes buffalo, hippo, giraffe, and the occasional lion or leopard. Predator densities are lower than in Selinda Reserve or Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, so manage expectations.
Lodges and Costs
The most well-known lodge is Abu Camp. It is one of the most expensive in Botswana, often priced between $2,500 and $3,500 per person per night.
The price includes accommodation, meals, drinks, and activities. What you are paying for is not just the luxury but access to the conservation program and the elephant herd.
The camp has only a handful of suites, each with private plunge pools and views over the floodplain. The small scale means a more intimate atmosphere.
I remember one evening when dinner was served under the stars with only a few other guests, and the sound of elephants feeding nearby.
If Abu Camp is out of budget, you might consider staying in other parts of the Okavango Delta and doing a mix of camps. Places like Vumbura Plains or Duba Plains Reserve offer high-end safari experiences with broader wildlife viewing.
You won’t get the same conservation angle, but it balances cost and experience.
For context, you can read more about how much safaris in Botswana cost. Abu sits firmly in the luxury tier.
Best Time to Visit
Timing matters here. The Okavango Delta floods between June and October, which is peak safari season. Water channels fill, and wildlife concentrates on higher ground, making this the strongest time for elephant viewing.
Expect premium prices and fuller camps during these months.
Shoulder seasons like April and May can be quieter with slightly lower rates, but water levels are unpredictable and some channels may not yet be navigable.
November to March is considered the low or green season. You will find lower prices, more birdlife, and fewer crowds, though wildlife is more dispersed and rains can disrupt game drives.
If you’re planning around weather and water, check out this detailed guide on the best time to safari in Botswana.
I visited in September, which meant cooler mornings, dry conditions, and reliable elephant interactions while still avoiding the heaviest crowds.
What to Pack
The Abu Concession is more remote than areas like Chobe National Park. Once you fly in, there are no shops or resupply points, so you need to plan ahead.
Neutral-colored clothing is standard, but prioritize comfort and practicality over style. Think in terms of layers that you can add or remove as the temperature shifts dramatically from early morning chill to hot afternoons.
I recommend packing with strategy in mind:
- A pair of broken-in walking shoes or lightweight boots (see my guide to the best safari shoes in Botswana) so you avoid blisters on uneven ground.
- Light, long-sleeved shirts for sun and insect protection that also dry quickly after hand washing.
- A warm jacket or fleece for early morning and evening drives when temperatures can drop sharply.
- A hat with a brim and polarized sunglasses for eye protection during midday glare.
- A small dry bag or zip cases to keep cameras and electronics safe during mokoro rides or unexpected rain.
You can also check my breakdown of what to wear on safari in Botswana for a complete packing list, which will help you balance weight restrictions on light aircraft transfers with comfort in the bush.
Conservation Focus
What sets Abu Concession apart is its conservation-first approach. The camp has long been involved in elephant rescue and rehabilitation. Some elephants were once part of the tourism trade and are now reintegrated into the wild here.
Guests learn about their individual stories and the broader challenges elephants face in Africa.
For me, the most powerful moment came when I watched a young elephant approach cautiously, touching trunks with an older female. It was not staged, and there were no guarantees. This was conservation in action, happening in front of us.
If your main goal is to support conservation while traveling, Abu is worth considering.
For a broader look at conservation-focused safaris across the country, visit the Botswana Tourism Organization site.
Alternatives to Abu Concession
If the price tag of Abu Concession is beyond reach, Botswana has other strong options that can still deliver high-quality wildlife encounters.
The Okavango Delta private concessions provide excellent viewing across mixed terrain and are often priced from $800 to $1,500 per person per night depending on season and camp. These concessions balance exclusivity with broader species diversity.
The Kwando Concessions appeal to those seeking raw, remote safari conditions, and they are known for intense predator-prey interactions. Budget here is slightly lower than Abu, but still in the luxury category, typically starting at around $1,000 per person per night.
For travelers who specifically want elephant-focused experiences without Abu’s conservation program, you can consider elephant safaris in Botswana.
Be aware that some of these focus more on elephant-back activities or viewing concentrations of wild herds, and may not offer the same conservation depth as Abu. Think carefully about your goals – whether that is supporting a conservation-first model or prioritizing more traditional wildlife variety – before choosing an alternative.
The Abu Concession is not for everyone
It is slow, expensive, and very specific in its focus.
If you want variety and fast action, it might frustrate you. If you want elephants to be the heart of your safari, this is the place.
I always recommend pairing a stay in Abu with another camp in Botswana to balance the experience. This way you get elephants in depth at Abu, and broader big game viewing elsewhere.
You can plan your trip starting with my guide to safaris in Botswana.
