Key Takeaways
- Chief's Camp sits on Chief's Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta
- Sanctuary Retreats' flagship — ten luxury pavilion suites plus a private Geoffrey Kent Suite
- Famous for exceptional big-cat viewing — lion, leopard and cheetah
- Both game drives and seasonal water activities from a single base
- Elegant, refined design with private plunge pools and sweeping decks
- Rates run roughly $1,500–2,800+ per person per night, all-inclusive
First Impressions: The Heart of the Moremi
Some camps trade on their design, others on their location — Chief's Camp has both, but it is the location that first takes your breath away. The camp sits on Chief's Island, the largest island in the Okavango Delta, deep within the Mombo region of the Moremi Game Reserve. This is hallowed safari ground, a tract so rich in predators it is routinely called the "predator capital" of the delta. To be based here, in the very heart of the Moremi, is to sleep at the epicentre of the action.
Arrive at Chief's Camp and you find a refined, elegant retreat that wears its luxury lightly. Recently rebuilt, the camp presents a series of raised, open-sided pavilions of timber, thatch and canvas, threaded along a game-rich floodplain and linked by low walkways. It feels grown-up and serene — neither showily modern nor fusty and old-fashioned, but a warm, sophisticated take on classic safari style. The overwhelming first impression is of space, calm and a sense that something extraordinary is about to happen just beyond the deck.
The Suites: Pavilions of Space and Light
Chief's Camp comprises ten luxury pavilion suites, plus the exclusive stand-alone Geoffrey Kent Suite for those wanting the ultimate in privacy. Each pavilion is a generously proportioned sanctuary raised on a deck above the floodplain — a spacious bedroom under soaring thatch, a lounge area, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private plunge pool set on a deck that gazes out over the bush. Sliding canvas and glass open the suite to the sounds and scents of the delta.
The aesthetic is warm and refined — natural timber, soft neutral tones, hand-crafted furniture and thoughtful African touches, lit beautifully as the day fades. There is a sala (a shaded outdoor daybed) for afternoon siestas, and the plunge pool is a genuine luxury in the heat of the day. The suites are private and well-spaced, and the elevated position means you often watch elephant, lechwe or even a passing lion from the comfort of your own deck. It is the kind of accommodation that makes the downtime between drives as memorable as the drives themselves.
The Wildlife: The Delta's Predator Capital
Wildlife is where Chief's Camp truly earns its reputation. Chief's Island and the surrounding Mombo region are among the most game-dense areas in all of Africa, and the camp is celebrated above all for its big cats. Lion prides are large and frequently seen, leopard sightings are among the most reliable in the delta, and — unusually for the Okavango — the open floodplains around camp give cheetah the space to hunt, making Chief's one of the few delta camps where all three big cats are regularly encountered.
Beyond the cats, the concession teems with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, red lechwe, tsessebe and wildebeest, along with regular sightings of the endangered African wild dog. The mix of permanent water, seasonal floodplain and dry woodland supports this astonishing density, and because game drives can go off-road, your guide can follow the action wherever it leads. In the higher-water months, mokoro and boat outings add the delta's signature water safari. For how Chief's compares with other top camps, see our guide to the best luxury safari lodges in Botswana.
Dining and Service
Dining at Chief's Camp is polished and varied, served in the elegant main pavilion, on the deck overlooking the floodplain, or out in the bush for a surprise breakfast or candlelit dinner. The kitchen turns out sophisticated, beautifully presented meals with a strong showing of South African wines, and handles dietary requirements with ease. Meals flow with the rhythm of the safari day — early coffee before the drive, a generous brunch, high tea before the afternoon activity, and dinner beneath the stars.
Service is a particular strength. Sanctuary Retreats runs the camp with a high staff-to-guest ratio, warm and genuinely personal attention, and some of the finest guiding in the delta. The guides here know the Mombo predators intimately — their territories, their habits, their family histories — and it shows in the quality of the sightings. It is the kind of service that anticipates your wishes without ever feeling intrusive, and it is a big reason guests rate Chief's so highly.
Who Is Chief's Camp For?
Chief's Camp is for the traveller who puts wildlife first but refuses to compromise on comfort. If your priority is the finest possible big-cat viewing — lion, leopard and cheetah — from a base of genuine luxury, this is one of the delta's very best choices. It suits discerning first-timers who want the classic big-game thrill, returning safari-goers chasing predator action, photographers drawn to the off-road freedom, and couples and honeymooners seeking romance with substance.
Its elegant, refined style will appeal to those who want classic safari sophistication rather than bold modern design or rustic simplicity. Because the suites are elevated and open, it is best suited to couples and families with older children rather than very young ones. But for anyone whose dream safari centres on world-class predators enjoyed in refined comfort, Chief's Camp is close to the platonic ideal.
Getting There and Booking
Chief's Camp is fly-in only. You will take a light-aircraft transfer from Maun (roughly 25–35 minutes) to an airstrip on Chief's Island, where your guide meets you for a game drive into camp — and the wildlife often begins before you have even unpacked. Rates peak in the July–October dry season, when the game viewing is at its most spectacular, so book well ahead for those months. As a flagship camp, it books out early.
We arrange every element of a Chief's Camp stay — the light-aircraft flights, the best suites, and the ideal pairings with contrasting camps elsewhere in Botswana to build a complete journey. Chief's works beautifully as the big-cat heart of a wider trip, combined with a water camp in the northern delta and the elephants of the Chobe. Tell us your dates and we will secure the right suites and build the journey around them.
Private Tours Cape Town arranges every detail of your Chief's Camp stay — light-aircraft flights, the finest suites and perfect camp pairings across the Okavango and beyond.
