Sanctuary Chief's Camp | Best Botswana Safari Lodges

The place

We land at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp’s airstrip, feeling excited to have seen the Okavango Delta from above, and our lodge’s 11 pavilions fanning out from its central location on Chief’s Island. We’re at the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, in the private Mombo concession. Created by seasonal flood waters, it’s the largest land mass in the delta. It’s renowned for some of the best game viewing in Botswana, and in fact, as our driver John tells us, the area is known as the predator capital of Africa. True to form, just a few minutes into the short drive to the wonderful Botswanan safari lodge, we spot two female lion sleeping in the shade of a jackalberry tree.

We land at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp’s airstrip, feeling excited to have seen the Okavango Delta from above, and our lodge’s 11 pavilions fanning out from its central location on Chief’s Island. We’re at the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, in the private Mombo concession.

Created by seasonal flood waters, it’s the largest land mass in the delta. It’s renowned for some of the best game viewing in Botswana, and in fact, as our driver John tells us, the area is known as the predator capital of Africa. True to form, just a few minutes into the short drive to the wonderful Botswanan safari lodge, we spot two female lion sleeping in the shade of a jackalberry tree.

The room

We arrive at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, invigorated by our first wildlife sighting. Set beneath a canopy of mixed woodland, it forms a horseshoe facing south over the Piajio floodplain. John points out some of the species that can be seen grazing, including the endangered white rhino. We follow John along a sandy pathway to our room, which is elevated on a wooden platform with canvas walls under a thatch roof. Our room is restfully-coloured with creams, whites, mahoganies and a touch of green, while the dark wooden floors are punctuated by semi-antique furniture. While my partner starts organising the writing desk, I fling myself onto the softly-yielding four-poster bed, and flick through a magazine. A discreet knock announces the arrival of our luggage, and I start unpacking into the open-sided wardrobe, which lights up so I can easily see what I’m doing. Meanwhile my other half decides to have an outdoor shower, leaving me with the difficult choice of a shower in the en-suite or a leisurely soak in the tub.

We arrive at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, invigorated by our first wildlife sighting. Set beneath a canopy of mixed woodland, it forms a horseshoe facing south over the Piajio floodplain. John points out some of the species that can be seen grazing, including the endangered white rhino.

We follow John along a sandy pathway to our room, which is elevated on a wooden platform with canvas walls under a thatch roof. Our room is restfully-coloured with creams, whites, mahoganies and a touch of green, while the dark wooden floors are punctuated by semi-antique furniture. While my partner starts organising the writing desk, I fling myself onto the softly-yielding four-poster bed, and flick through a magazine.

A discreet knock announces the arrival of our luggage, and I start unpacking into the open-sided wardrobe, which lights up so I can easily see what I’m doing. Meanwhile my other half decides to have an outdoor shower, leaving me with the difficult choice of a shower in the en-suite or a leisurely soak in the tub.

What sets it apart

The staff at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp know how to make you feel special – like royalty even. Perhaps it’s because the area was once Chief Moremi’s royal hunting reserve, or maybe it’s just the desire to be outstanding, but whatever they do, they do it with aplomb. They were also very informative, sharing all kinds of details about the delta that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a guide book; indeed, the orientation room was a wonderful touch. Swapping tales of derring-do – while sitting under the African night sky enjoying cocktails in the fire-lit boma, or at the fun pizza evenings – was another undoubtable highlight. It’s wonderful to know that the other guests were as thrilled as us to encounter a rarely-seen rhino, or an unusual bird. We loved that we had every opportunity to enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape too; whether at the pool, our suite’s private lookout over the floodplain or even in our bathroom, we never missed a moment’s action. Finally, we were taken with the fact that camp staff built one of Botswana’s largest solar farms, and that the camp is run on the renewable energy generated. Plus, camp profits support many community upliftment projects, and the essential rhino relocation.

The staff at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp know how to make you feel special – like royalty even. Perhaps it’s because the area was once Chief Moremi’s royal hunting reserve, or maybe it’s just the desire to be outstanding, but whatever they do, they do it with aplomb. They were also very informative, sharing all kinds of details about the delta that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a guide book; indeed, the orientation room was a wonderful touch.

Swapping tales of derring-do – while sitting under the African night sky enjoying cocktails in the fire-lit boma, or at the fun pizza evenings – was another undoubtable highlight. It’s wonderful to know that the other guests were as thrilled as us to encounter a rarely-seen rhino, or an unusual bird.

We loved that we had every opportunity to enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape too; whether at the pool, our suite’s private lookout over the floodplain or even in our bathroom, we never missed a moment’s action.

Finally, we were taken with the fact that camp staff built one of Botswana’s largest solar farms, and that the camp is run on the renewable energy generated. Plus, camp profits support many community upliftment projects, and the essential rhino relocation.

At a glance

Luxury lodge with a swimming pool, spa and safari shop. It has 10 spacious guest pavilions and the six-sleeper Geoffrey Kent suite (each with private pools).
Private concession, flexible schedules, private vehicles available (additional cost), individual dining and private dining available. The Geoffrey Kent suite comes with a private vehicle, a personal guide, chef, waiter and housekeeper, premium drinks, a private boma and swimming pool.
Game drives, spa treatments (additional cost), mokoro excursions and scenic flights (additional cost).
Children of six years and above are welcome. Children’s activities and retreat available.

Luxury lodge with a swimming pool, spa and safari shop. It has 10 spacious guest pavilions and the six-sleeper Geoffrey Kent suite (each with private pools).
Private concession, flexible schedules, private vehicles available (additional cost), individual dining and private dining available. The Geoffrey Kent suite comes with a private vehicle, a personal guide, chef, waiter and housekeeper, premium drinks, a private boma and swimming pool.
Game drives, spa treatments (additional cost), mokoro excursions and scenic flights (additional cost).
Children of six years and above are welcome. Children’s activities and retreat available.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.