Wet Lion cub (Panthera Leo) in Okavango swamp, Chiefs Island, Moremi National Park, Botswana Chiefs Island, Lion, Moremi Wildlife Reserve

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Chief's Island

Okavango Delta

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The largest island in the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Island (70km long and 15km wide) is so named because it was once the sole hunting preserve of the local chief. Raised above the water level by tectonic activity, it’s here that so much of the delta’s wildlife retreats as water levels rise. As such, the island is home to what could be the richest concentration of wildlife in Botswana. It's the Okavango Delta as you always imagined it.

The combination of reed-fringed waters, grasslands and light woodlands makes for game viewing that can feel like a BBC wildlife documentary brought to life. Not surprisingly, the island is home to some of the most exclusive lodges and tented camps in Africa.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Mboma Island

    Mboma Island

    25.35 MILES

    The grassy savannah of this 100-sq-km island, a long extension of the Moremi Tongue, contrasts sharply with the surrounding landscapes and provides some…

  • Third Bridge

    Third Bridge

    27.93 MILES

    Literally the third log bridge after entering the reserve at South Gate (although First Bridge and Second Bridge were, at the time of writing, easy to…

  • First Bridge

    First Bridge

    29.68 MILES

    Blink and you'll miss it. First Bridge is more useful than interesting – depending on its state of repair, an alternative track alongside may serve the…

  • Second Bridge

    Second Bridge

    28.67 MILES

    Not long before Mboma if you're coming from Maun. In fairly poor condition last time we visited.

View more attractions

Nearby Okavango Delta attractions

1. Mboma Island

25.35 MILES

The grassy savannah of this 100-sq-km island, a long extension of the Moremi Tongue, contrasts sharply with the surrounding landscapes and provides some…

2. Third Bridge

27.93 MILES

Literally the third log bridge after entering the reserve at South Gate (although First Bridge and Second Bridge were, at the time of writing, easy to…

3. Second Bridge

28.67 MILES

Not long before Mboma if you're coming from Maun. In fairly poor condition last time we visited.

4. First Bridge

29.68 MILES

Blink and you'll miss it. First Bridge is more useful than interesting – depending on its state of repair, an alternative track alongside may serve the…

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  "destination": "Okavango-Delta",
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  "country": "Botswana",
  "region": "Okavango-Delta",
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