SANCTUARY CHIEF’S CAMP

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, an intimate, handcrafted camp, is set on the extravagantly beautiful Chief’s Island amid the vast watery splendour of the Okavango Delta.

Its days as a royal hunting ground (hence its name) are over, but the island’s beauty remains and the wildlife flourishes – Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, in a luxuriantly leafy spot beside the water, is quite literally surrounded by what may well be the richest concentration of animals in Botswana, year-round.

Dry season is the best time to see big cats; then as seasonal water levels rise, animals flock to the area, and the island is the ideal spot for wildlife to retreat to as they seek higher ground.

The Main Camp at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

Woody, luminous, airy, with high ceilings, exposed beams and tidily thatched roofs – Sanctuary Chief’s Camp is a beautifully executed contemporary take on traditional safari style.

Located on the north edge of Chief’s Island, the stilted camp overlooks the sprawling waterways of the Okavango Delta and its rich rollcall of wildlife, giving guests front-row seats to the permanent natural spectacle that plays out just beyond the terrace.

Though its rich royal heritage is referenced throughout, the camp today embraces a contemporary take on classic safari style.

Wood is used generously, from the jackalberry logs hollowed out to make the traditional mokoros, to the whitewoods used to fashion the main bar where sundowners are served.

Tactile woven rugs and sumptuous seating soften the living areas, with beaded chandeliers and wall-hangings rooting the decor in local craftsmanship.

Accommodation at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

Accommodation is in 10 private thatched pavilions and the two-bedroom Geoffrey Kent Suite – all of which have their own private wraparound terrace with a close-to-nature outdoor shower, a plunge pool and panoramic views, so wildlife sightings are never far away.

And if the sights and sounds of the Okavango aren’t soothing enough, the on-site spa offers environmentally conscious Africology treatments, rejuvenating facials, and therapeutic remedies to help guests fully unwind.

For Families

Children aged six and above are welcome at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp; and those under 15 are required to share with an adult.

They are well catered for, too, with a dedicated Children’s Retreat on site.

Facilities include a games room with a PlayStation, bean bags, a fancy-dress box, and a football table.

Children can also learn about the local wildlife with expert nature guides who share hands-on knowledge on everything from animal footprints and tracking to bones and bugs.

Dining at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

The camp’s kitchen serves up an appetizing array of contemporary cuisine with local flavors, using the region’s best ingredients, served overlooking the vast floodplain beyond, the local birdlife providing an enchanting soundtrack.

Expect summery salads, freshly made breads, grilled meats and herby vegetable dishes; and guests can also make their own pizzas with the chef, which are cooked in a traditional oven.

As the days draw to a close, make your way to the main camp’s wooden bar – presided over by a large rhino portrait – for a suitable sundowner (there is a notable wine list), best taken to a comfortable seat in the lounge or out onto the firepit deck with its widescreen wetlands view.

Health & Wellness at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

There is something deeply indulgent about having a first-class spa treatment in such a wild and thrillingly remote corners of Africa.

At the intimate waterside spa, our expert therapists use all-natural, organic and chemical-free products by Healing Earth for treatments, rejuvenating facials, and therapeutic remedies, such as the African heated-stone massage and immunity-boosting tropical body wraps.

Do try the marula and African potato wrap, which feels as delicious as it sounds.

For something a little more strenuous, the fitness centre – with its wooden deck and thatched roof – has treadmills, exercise bikes, weights and a rowing machine.

Cool off in the communal pool out to the left of the boma but be prepared for the occasional thirsty elephant taking a sip while you swim.

The Location of Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

Chief’s Island is one of the largest and most historically significant islands in the Moremi Game Reserve – located in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta on earth.

The grassy plains flood seasonally and, between May and September, are in most years transformed into a 5,800-square-mile patchwork of winding waterways, lily-scattered lagoons and tiny islands, teeming with wildlife – elephants, lions and resident and migratory birds in particular.

Chief’s Camp is an oasis within this oasis, where low-impact luxury meets grand-scale wilderness in view of a well-loved waterhole.

Safari Activities at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp

Expert-led game drives in the early morning and late afternoon take you into the thick of this unique and extraordinarily biodiverse habitat.

Depending on the season and water levels, there may be the opportunity to venture out after dark on night game drives in search of nocturnal species.

You are on the edge of the greatest inland river delta on earth – so it makes sense to explore it on water, when the season and conditions permit. The most traditional way is to take an excursion by mokoro, the local punt-like canoe made from Jackalberry trees.

Fully personalized scenic helicopter flights give you a bird’s-eye view of large parts of the Okavango Delta that are unreachable by land or water.

You will swoop and skim above an epic patchwork of waterways, palm islands, lagoons and sweeping floodplains.

Note that this activity is at an additional cost.