SLCC

Chief's Camp Botswana

The twelve luxury bush pavilions at Sanctuary Chief's Camp are tucked away in the Mombo Concession, part of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve. This area is known as the 'predator capital of Africa' and is also home to large herds of elephant and buffalo, making Sanctuary Chief's the ideal place to experience African wildlife at close hand.

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp has received a coveted “World’s Best” award from Travel + Leisure as one of the top resorts and camps in Africa and the number one safari lodge in Botswana.

The survey asked readers to rate properties on the basis of location, rooms/facilities, service, restaurants/food and value. This year “the spirit of exploration prevailed,” says Travel + Leisure editor in chief, Nancy Novogrod. “It’s clear that travellers are looking for encounters with the natural world.” - 28 July 2010

 

Chief's Camp is a luxury bush lodge situated on the northwest tip of Chief's Island in the exclusive Mombo concession of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana's Okavango Delta. This region is known as the “predator capital” of Africa and is considered to have the finest game viewing in Southern Africa. The area is home to the Big Five, with recently re-introduced Rhino.

 

This elegant tented camp provides an oasis of comfort in the heart of the Delta. Chief's Camp has been so skillfully integrated into the landscape that guests can often view game without even leaving camp. Shaded from the heat of the day by a beautiful grove of Jackalberry trees, Chief's Camp is so remote you'll feel like the only humans for miles and miles.

 

The camp is situated in what is termed seasonal delta. The area is therefore seasonally inundated with floodwaters. Generally, the floodwaters infiltrate the area in June/ July and remain for a period of 4 to 5 months.

 

Although this camp is remotely located in one of the world's most pristine corners, guests do not sacrifice comfort for adventure.

 

Chief's Camp has twelve secluded, permanent luxury bush pavilions (24 beds), each with its own private viewing deck and en-suite bathroom. The guest pavilions designed for ultimate privacy and comfort, and to offer you a front row seat for this rich and rewarding African adventure.  Each room is equipped with a hairdryer, ceiling fan, in-room safe and emergency intercom. The camp also provides a flashlight as well as complimentary mosquito repellant & toiletries.  Electricity, 240 volts, is supplied by a combination of silent packed generator and battery system allowing 24-hour power supply.

The main lodge complex houses the dining area, bar, curio shop, library and reception area.  This structure has been built into the existing landscape, under a heavy canopy of mature Jackalberry, Sausage and Rain trees. The boma is the setting for after dinner drinks by the campfire. Hot and cold water, electricity, laundry services, and sumptuous meals add up to an "out of this world" experience.  The main deck area is split-level and offers expansive views over the floodplain to the north. The lower level of the deck houses an exquisite swimming pool. A range of spa treatments are offered in a poolside treatment sala (during peak season).

 

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.

 

Game Drives

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 Sanctuary 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. Sanctuary 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.

 

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