Chief’s Camp, situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta, has been awarded a “World’s Best” coveted award from Travel + Leisure.

From a survey by the readers of Travel + Leisure, the camp has been rated as one of the top resorts and camps in Africa and the number one safari lodge in Botswana.

Chief’s Camp lies on Chief’s Island, one of the many islands created by the seasonal floodwaters of the Okavango Delta. The camp is tucked away in the exclusive Mombo Concession, part of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve. This is the predator capital of Africa and the game viewing is awe-inspiring …lions, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackals abound, as do elephants, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala. Chief’s Camp is particularly famous for its wild dog population. The concession is also a paradise for ornithologists, boasting over 500 species of birds.

Twelve secluded, luxury bush pavilions are designed for ultimate privacy and comfort, and to offer you a front row seat for this rich and rewarding African adventure. Each pavilion features a thatched roof, spacious seating area, en-suite facilities with indoor and outdoor shower as well as a private game viewing deck with hammock and deck chairs.

The main lodge area houses the dining area, curio shop, library and reception area. There is also an exquisite swimming pool and a range of spa treatments are offered by the beauty therapist in a poolside treatment sala (high season only).

Travel Butlers are delighted to announce that Chief’s Camp, in the exclusive Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, will re-open next week on Wednesday 21st April. The lodge has been closed for a period while extensive upgrades were made to the camp, including extending the camp’s main lounge and dining area.

Also, for anyone thinking of travelling here during May and June, the camp is offering a Stay for 4, Pay for 3 night deal ! Contact us now to make an enquiry !

In the opening of Botswana’s Parliament and in the recent Botswana budget speech, it was announced that VAT (Value Added Tax) will be increased from 10% to 12%, effective from 01 April 2010, in that country.

Something momentous has just happened in Botswana! For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Okavango Delta system has joined with the game-rich floodplains of the Kwando / Linyanti river system.

The joining point is the Selinda Spillway, a waterway which runs through the 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve.

Air Botswana has expanded its fleet and route network, to now enable guests to more easily access both the Okavango Delta, which is the world’s largest inland wetland area, comprising of nearly 16,000 square kilometres of lagoons, island and channels and the famous Chobe National Park, renowned for its large elephant population, where herds in excess of 200 elephants can often be sighted during game drives.

With the addition of 2 new 68-seat aircrafts into the fleet, the airline can now offer daily direct flights from the O.R. Tambo International Airport to Maun, the gateway to the Delta, or 3 times weekly direct flights to Kasane, the gateway to Chobe. Air Botswana also operates a flight schedule between Maun and Kasane, providing a convenient link between these premier safari destinations.

Botswana has experienced abnormally heavy rains during its flood season this year, which has led to exceptionally high water levels in the Okavango Delta.

The rain that fell was about 600 mm compared to the usual 400 mm, but it has been the distribution of the rain over the whole growing season which has made the difference. Many marshes are now full of water and will probably remain so throughout the winter, and some riverbeds, which have been dry for decades, are flowing strongly.

This has all had a positive impact on the majority of animals found in the region. The area is expecting a record crop of young antelope this year, which in turn, will have a positive effect on the predator populations in months and years to come.

Some lodges are also going to be offering catch-and-release fishing to guests. Guests will be be able to enjoy relaxing on a boat and soaking in the views while waiting for the fish to bite.

Other activities offered by lodges will include :

Eagle Island Camp is offering guests a combination of a helicopter and motorboat game-viewing experience. Guests start the trip with a helicopter flight over the main tributaries and then land on a deserted island to enjoy a champagne brunch, returning to camp via motorboat.

Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp and offering scenic boat rides from the camp to the Moremi Game Reserve. After an early breakfast at the camp, guests will depart at 7 am for a full-day boating adventure across the Delta. Guides will point out some of the main attractions including water lilies, reed frogs, dragonflies, unusual antelope species and an array of birdlife. A full picnic lunch will be served on a deserted Delta island. The adventure ends back at the camp in time for afternoon high tea.

Baines’ River Camp, in the Okavango Delta, is currently closed for the reconstruction of its new lodge area.

The new structure will be in keeping with the guest suites with their colonial style, grey iron roofs, large verandah areas, open truss ceilings, and earthy tones.

The new structure will also include a library/studio, which will be used for photographic and birding workshops and be able to seat up to 18 people, a reception area with facilities to showcase local arts and crafts and small souvenirs, guest toilets, a separate bar linked to the lounge and dining area with a fireplace, and private offices for admin purposes.

The current plunge pool will also be revamped into a 15m swimming pool.

The new lodge will reopen to guests on July 1st.