Chief’s Island Okavango Delta

Chief’s Island, Okavango Delta, is a wilderness that holds your attention effortlessly. From the moment your light aircraft flies over the Delta, time begins to soften. Water and land weave together below you. Wildlife moves freely. And the noise of the world feels very far away.

At the heart of the Okavango Delta within the protected Moremi Game Reserve, Chief’s Island is the largest island in this extraordinary ecosystem and one of its most legendary.

If you seek privacy and a deeply restorative safari, this is where the experience becomes something more.

A Legendary Island In the Heart of the Delta

Known as Chief’s Island, Botswana, it stretches for nearly 70 km/43 mi through the Delta’s core. Seasonal floodplains, winding channels, open grasslands, and dry woodlands create an ever-changing mosaic.

This environment supports some of the highest wildlife densities in southern Africa. This is why Chief’s Island has earned its reputation among guides and conservationists alike. Wildlife here doesn’t simply pass through; it stays. And because access is tightly controlled, sightings unfold without crowds or urgency.

It’s a place shaped by time, water, and careful protection.

Rare Access, Remarkable Sightings

What truly sets Chief’s Island apart is not just what lives here, but how few people get to see it. Only a handful of camps operate on the island, and guest numbers are intentionally low.

That means quiet game drives, unhurried moments, and the luxury of space. No radios crackling. No vehicles gathering. Just the stillness of the bush and the guidance of someone who knows it intimately.

If you’re wondering where to see rhinos in the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Island has historically been the heart of rhino conservation. Though they’re elusive and highly protected, the island offers the opportunity to possibly encounter them in the wild.

Predator Country: Where Africa Feels Most Alive

Chief’s Island is known for its extraordinary predator density. Lions are abundant, often seen in large, relaxed prides moving through open grassland. Leopards are confidently visible, resting in trees or stalking quietly at dusk.

African wild dogs, elusive across much of the continent, are encountered here surprisingly often, supported by stable resident packs.

Few places offer such consistent sightings of apex predators in one area, making a Chief’s Island Big Five safari not only possible, but deeply rewarding.

Mombo Concession: The Island’s Northern Star

Within Chief’s Island lies the Mombo Concession. A private concession, it’s widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest wildlife regions. Here, floodplains meet dry land, and game viewing reaches another level.

Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos are all present, supported by rich grazing and permanent water.

The density of wildlife is remarkable, yet the experience remains calm and unforced. Game drives follow the rhythm of the land, not the clock, allowing encounters to unfold naturally and without interruption.

Mopane Woodlands and Acacia Forests: Dry Wildlife Environment

Beyond the floodplains, mopane woodlands and acacia forests offer a different kind of beauty. Elephants move through these dry interiors in quiet herds. Buffalo graze in numbers. Predators patrol the edges.

The contrast between wet and dry habitats is what gives Chief’s Island its extraordinary richness and ensures that no two days ever feel the same.

Waterways and Floodplains: Seasonal Magic

Safaris on Chief’s Island take place mainly on land – the island is a permanent fixture and is not flooded when the waters come in – but during the dry season, mokoro excursions are possible at some camps.

Gliding  silently through papyrus-lined channels is a slower way of seeing, and for some it is the most memorable. Birds gather in astonishing variety, from Pel’s fishing owl to the slaty egret and malachite kingfisher.

These moments invite you to breathe more deeply. To notice. To simply be.

When to Visit Chief’s Island

The dry season, from May to October, is the most popular time to visit, with temperatures ranging from 26 °C/79 °F to 35 °C/95 °F. Paradoxically, the floodwaters are at their highest in the dry season.

And as the largest landmass in the Delta, Chief’s Island stays above the floodwaters. It acts as a massive natural sanctuary, where animals congregate safely.

Days are warm, evenings are cool, and the light, especially in the early morning, feels almost cinematic.

Getting There, Effortlessly

Travel to Chief’s Island begins in Maun, followed by a light aircraft flight over the Delta. From the air, you see just how untouched this place truly is.

Private airstrips bring you directly to camp, where your African safari adventure begins.

Accept the Invitation

Chief’s Island doesn’t rush; instead, it offers space and stillness to truly immerse yourself in this mesmerising wilderness.

If you’re beginning to imagine your own Okavango Delta safari, one defined by privacy, beauty, and care, we’re here to guide you. Thoughtfully. Personally. At your pace.

When you’re ready, let’s start planning your journey to Chief’s Island together.