Hotel in Okavango Delta, Botswana
Sanctuary Chief's Camp
An award-winning luxury camp on Chief's Island in the Moremi Game Reserve. With just 10 pavilions, this intimate lodge offers exceptional game viewing including Big 5, premium dining, and butler service.
Sanctuary Chief's Camp is an award-winning luxury safari camp located on Chief's Island within the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Chief's Island is the largest landmass in the Delta and is renowned as one of Africa's premier Big Five destinations, hosting lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and a growing white rhino population reintroduced to the reserve. The camp is accessible by light aircraft from Maun, with a private airstrip serving the concession.
The camp accommodates guests in ten spacious pavilions, each set on an elevated timber deck that overlooks the surrounding floodplains and woodland. The pavilions feature canvas walls and thatched roofs with indoor and outdoor showers, private plunge pools, and butler service for every suite. The interiors combine contemporary design with safari references — natural fabrics, hand-crafted furniture, and artwork that reflects the Delta environment. A central lounge, dining room, curated wine bar, and fire pit serve as communal spaces.
Dining at Sanctuary Chief's Camp showcases Southern African ingredients prepared with modern technique. Meals rotate between the dining room, al fresco arrangements in the bush, and sundowner setups at water's edge, creating memorable settings for each occasion.
Activities led by experienced field guides include twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks, mokoro excursions through the reed-lined waterways, and night drives that reveal nocturnal predators. The density and variety of wildlife on Chief's Island is exceptional, and the camp's private concession ensures exclusivity on game drives. A spa with treatment rooms completes the property's amenities. Sanctuary Chief's Camp suits couples and small groups seeking an intimate, high-end safari with superlative wildlife access in one of Africa's most iconic wilderness destinations.
Amenities
- Private plunge pools
- Butler service
- Game drives
- Night drives
- Bush walks
- Bar
- Wi-Fi
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +267 686 4222
Location
Chief's Island, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana
-19.3000, 23.2667 — View on map
Highlights
- Location on Chief's Island, one of the Okavango Delta's premier Big Five destinations in Moremi Game Reserve
- Ten private pavilions with personal plunge pools and dedicated butler service
- Twice-daily game drives on an exclusive private concession offering exceptional predator sightings
- Guided mokoro excursions through papyrus channels with views of hippos and resident birdlife
- Intimate camp capacity ensuring private, unhurried game viewing experiences
Tips
- Request a pavilion with direct floodplain views; the outlook from elevated decks at sunrise is particularly striking.
- The camp's exclusive concession means game drives are not shared with other operators — a significant advantage over general park access.
- Bring a good telephoto lens; predator sightings including wild dog, cheetah, and lion are common on Chief's Island.
- Pack warm layers for night drives and early-morning game drives, as Delta temperatures drop sharply after sunset.
- Book transfers and internal flights early; charter flight availability from Maun to the camp's airstrip can be limited during peak season.
FAQ
How do guests reach Sanctuary Chief's Camp?
Access is by light aircraft from Maun Airport to the camp's private airstrip on Chief's Island. Road access does not exist. Charter flights are arranged as part of the booking process.
What wildlife can guests expect to see on Chief's Island?
Chief's Island is one of southern Africa's most productive wildlife areas, supporting lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo, wild dog, cheetah, and reintroduced white rhino. Birdlife is exceptional, with over 400 recorded species across the Delta.
Is the camp suitable for children?
Children aged six and above are generally accommodated. Activity participation depends on the specific excursion and ranger assessment of safety conditions; some night drives and walking safaris have higher age requirements.
What is included in the rate?
Rates are all-inclusive, covering accommodation, all meals, selected beverages, and scheduled activities including game drives, mokoro excursions, and bush walks. Park fees and conservation levies are typically included; confirm specifics at the time of reservation.
Accessibility
Sanctuary Chief's Camp is set in remote wilderness terrain with natural ground surfaces and elevated walkways connecting pavilions to central facilities. The remote island location and raised deck structures present significant challenges for wheelchair users. Guests with mobility impairments should contact the camp directly prior to booking.
When to visit
July to October is peak season when the Delta floods and wildlife concentrates. The flood peak from June to August is ideal for water-based activities, while September and October offer the best predator activity as water levels recede.