Chief’s Camp

The newly renovated, Chief’s Camp lies within the Moremi Game Reserve’s exclusive Mombo Concession, on the north-western side of Chief’s Island – the largest land mass in the Okavango Delta. The island is renowned for some of the best game viewing in Botswana.

A large raised wooden boardwalk leads into both the camp’s main area and an orientation room with a television, couches and library. The latter room, whose walls are covered in beautiful old maps of Africa, can be used for lectures and screening wildlife films, but the large flat-screen TV is not connected to international television. There is also a laptop computer connected to the internet for guest use.

The main area itself features a very nicely stocked curio shop, with local crafts, scarves, clothes, CDs and books, and a reception desk where guests can discuss what activities they would like to do during their stay. The lounge is separated from the reception area by a unique ‘wall’, whose top section consists of numerous vertical strands of white rock – an impressive feature,creating a very open, airy atmosphere. In the lounge, white upholstered couches sit on either side of a wooden coffee table, with additional seating provided by both leather and thatched chairs. There are stools round the bar, too, which during our visit was a very lively spot for pre-dinner drinks.

Behind the bar is a large swimming pool, with a massive wooden deck set with sunloungers, chairs and tables, all shaded by big canvas umbrellas.

Overlooking the floodplain is a nice seating area with large thatched cushioned chairs and tables. This is where guests typically enjoy high tea with their guides before their afternoon activity.

Steps from the seating area lead down to an outdoor boma with numerous folding canvas chairs and a small open firepit. On weekly ‘traditional’ nights, guests dine under the stars at the boma that serves traditional barbecue fare.

Most meals, however, are taken in the dining room, against the backdrop of a beautiful black-and-white photograph of a leopard, and an old-fashioned clay pizza oven. Guests are served at individual wooden tables.

Beyond the main area, Chief’s Camp is divided in two. To the west are the spa, six rooms, and a children’s retreat, while to the east are the fitness centre, a further four rooms, and the Geoffrey Kent Suite. Accommodation options total 10 bush pavilions and one two-bedroom suite.

The camp’s ten newly renovated luxury bush pavilions are pretty impressive. Each is set on a raised wooden platform reached by two steps. Two wooden doors open up to a foyer where a wooden wall with a big open window features the camp’s hallmark vertical strands of white rocks. Here you’ll find a set of shelves with a coffee maker, kettle, biscuits, and several different teas and coffees, as well as a tray with an ice bucket and small bottles of gin, vodka and brandy, a bottle of red wine, a decanter of sherry, and both cocktail and wine glasses. There’s also a stocked minibar.

*For a full list of available activities, the best time of the year to visit, and any other relevant enquiries, please contact a Sister Hippo Travel Consultant!