Chief's Camp Botswana

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Botswana Accommodation

Email Chief's Camp enquiries and reservations: chiefscamp@madbookings.com

Chief`s Camp Sanctuary Chief's Camp is located on Chief's Island, one of the many islands created by the seasonal floodwaters of the Okavango. The island was named after Chief Moremi, the hereditary king of the area who used the lands as his royal hunting grounds. The vast number of animals who congregate here make it easy to understand why the area was put aside for the chief. It was Moremi's people, the Tawana, who turned it into a reserve where animals are protected. Accommodation The guest pavilions are hidden away in a jackalberry and sausage tree woodland that is characteristic of the area. All have their own private decks and indoor and outdoor showers. Generously draped mosquito nets and traditional ceiling fans also feature.

There is a communal decked living room with stunning views over the floodplains, while the dining area surrounds a fire pit on the very edge of the Piajio plains so that guests can continue their game viewing while enjoying fine cuisine and wines.

Activities

The expert guides always on hand to share a wealth of wildlife knowledge, take guests deep into the bush in specially modified open 4 x 4 vehicles on morning and afternoon game drives to find the secluded places where elephant families congregate in search of the tastiest fruits and berries.

The game viewing opportunities at Chief's Camp are awe-inspiring. On the plains one may find the roaming lions that prey on the thousands of antelope, zebra and buffalo who live here all year round. Guests may see spot wild dogs. These extremely rare predators have been hunted to the point of extinction in most areas of Africa and this is one of their last strongholds. Intensely curious, painted dogs, as they are known here, are extremely rewarding to view and accessible to only the few.

Chief's is the ideal place to spot the big 5 - perhaps even the rare rhino. There are several local lion prides as well as leopards, genet cats and hyena are in abundance.

Mokoro excursions

Mokoros, local dugout canoes, are ideal for getting close to the bush in the company of a highly trained local guide. Each June the whole area around the camp floods and turns the Okavango Delta into a labyrinth of lily-filled lagoons and streams where hippos fight for bathing rights and crocodiles wait for unwary antelope to linger too long over a drink. Poling through the byways created by the floodwaters is a magical experience that allows guests to get very close to the biggest of game and to see the world from a totally different angle – looking up onto the banks rather than down onto them. As a change from a game drive, the quiet, gentle pace of a mokoro is a real introduction to a way of transport still used in the Delta by the ‘river bushmen’ or BaYei people. This activity is subject to water levels

Treatment room

Guests at Sanctuary Chief’s are able to enjoy a range of spa treatments. Treatments include products from the Africology line and guests are able to choose from a range of body therapies, body rituals and facial skin care treatments. Treatments may be booked at the camp reception with the camp manager, or with the therapist. A full consultation will be held before every treatment.

Helicopter flights over the Delta

Experiencing Botswana’s Okavango Delta by helicopter is an incredible and unrivalled experience, one in which a large variety of game as well as the region's stunning landscape can be easily viewed… Together with our preferred partner in Botswana, Mack Air, we now offer scenic helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta, allowing you to venture to parts of the Delta which are inaccessible by game vehicle providing an excellent opportunity to explore an array of truly unspoilt wildlife and scenery.

The helicopter used provides incomparable comfort with air conditioning, leather seats and a large cabin, easily seating 6 passengers. Each passenger is provided with a David Clarke headset which allows guests to freely talk to each other as well as the pilot.

In terms of the environmental aspect, both Sanctuary Retreats and Mack Air are mindful of the sensitive areas in which we operate. This helicopter is arguably one of the quietest and most technologically advanced civil helicopters in the world which will minimise impact on the surrounding environment.

How to get there

Sanctuary Chief's Camp has its own licensed private airstrip which is located approximately 2 kilometres from the camp. The transfer from the airstrip to the camp takes approximately 10 minutes.

The airstrip is accessible from Maun (25 minutes), Kasane (1 hour 30 minutes), Sanctuary Stanley's Camp (15 minutes) and Sanctuary Baines' Camp (15 minutes). Please note the luggage restriction is 20kg per person in a soft-sided bag.

Email Chief's Camp enquiries and reservations: chiefscamp@madbookings.com