Extraordinary Africa>Botswana>Okavango Delta and Moremi>Chief’s Camp
Location matters as much when choosing a safari camp as it does for buying a new home, and Chief’s Camp is not only a top end luxury lodge, but it also has a stellar game viewing location on Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve.
What’s Chief’s Camp really like?
Chief’s Camp was totally rebuilt in 2016, and now ranks amongst the most luxurious safari camps in Africa. Rooms are ten simply vast “bush pavilions”, which at 140m2 have huge decks, a tub large enough for a baby hippo and a plunge pool that could probably squeeze in a baby elephant. There are large decks, floor to ceiling windows looking out towards the floodplain and outdoor showers- a romantic luxury which we’ll never tire of. For total privacy, at the far end of Chief’s Camp is the vast Geoffrey Kent suite, which you can take as either a one or two bedroomed suite. It comes with its own kitchen, fire pit and private game viewing vehicle, making it perfect for a family safari or a decadent treat for a couple seeking total exclusivity. While we’re on the subject of families, Chief’s Camp will accept children over 6 and has a special Children’s Retreat, full of things to distract them when game drives just won’t cut it!
Meals at Chief’s Camp are eaten in the main area, where there’s also a larger pool overlooking the floodplain. You’ll generally eat at your own table here, and food is good, focusing on a light, Mediterranean style of dining (a pizza oven is a recent addition to the kitchen), but incorporating local ingredients and African style. One thing is for sure: you certainly won’t go hungry here.
We’re staunch believers that safari really should be all about the luxuries of the bush, rather than the luxuries that we can find more easily at home. However, a recent marathon attempt made us appreciate that the gym at Chief’s could be a rather useful addition to a safari experience, and there’s also a spa- who doesn’t like a massage?
What can I do at Chief’s Camp?
The beautiful mystery of a safari in Botswana is water. And so it is at Chief’s Camp- we really can’t guarantee to you exactly what you might do on any given visit as so much of it depends on water levels. Bar the most astonishingly high flood, you should always be able to do game drives and explore the legendary hunting grounds of Botswana’s Chief Moremi. Game viewing here is usually rather impressive, and you’re unlikely to see much in the way of other vehicles here. As you are in the Moremi Game Reserve, night drives and off-road driving are not permitted.
When water levels are high enough in this part of the Okavango Delta (usually from around June-late November) you can also do mokoro safaris, floating gently over the delta seeing everything from tiny reed frogs to vast elephants coming down to drink. For an extra fee, we can also arrange helicopter flips over the Okavango Delta, including down to the elephant activity at Stanley’s Camp. These are particularly lovely when flood levels are high and you get a full sense of the beauty of the delta.
Giving back at Chief’s Camp:
Chief’s Camp built a home and research facility for Roger and Alison Heath and supports their work at Plants and People Africa. This is a botanical research project into the rather miraculous plant life of the Okavango Delta– look out for their field guide in the camp.
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