Chief's Island is the largest piece of solid ground in the Moremi Game Reserve. This was the traditional royal hunting ground of the Batawana Chief Moremi III. The local people decided to incorporate it into the Reserve in 1973.
This is one of the best game viewing areas of the reserve when on a Moremi safari. It is considered to be a private concession and can only be accessed by people staying in the luxury lodges located on the Island. The camps offer a wonderful Okavango experience, although they have to abide by the parks rules, such as the fact that there can be no walking safaris or night game drives.
The Island is dominated by large mature Mopane trees that are referred to as Cathedral Mopane. The Island offers some of the best game viewing in the Okavango, and is one of the best places in Moremi to possibly see the Big Five, as Rhino have been reintroduced on the island.
There are two main camps on Chief's Island, Mombo Camp and Chief's Camp. There are also several camps just other side the island such as Gunn's Camp. See more Chiefs Island Safari Lodges in Moremi.
This is the region of Moremi that is most accessible for guests who wish to do a Moremi self-drive safari. The entrance to the reserve here is often referred to as North Gate. There is a grassy, wide open floodplain that is fringed by pretty woodlands.
The game viewing in this region is generally good. You'll see quite a bit of plains game such as Zebra and Impala. Large herds of Buffalo and Impala move though the Mopane forests in the dry winter months.
There is a public camp at South Gate, but otherwise you will have to stay at Khwai River Lodge which is situated on the other side of the Khwai River. This is in a very beautiful area and overlooks the Moremi Game Reserve.
Situated right on the tip of what is referred to as the Mopane tongue is Xakanaxa Camp, this is a very beautiful area of Moremi. Here the butterfly leafed Mopane Trees give way to deep waterways and picturesque floodplains.
It is also one of the best game viewing areas in the Okavango. There are many animals such as Lechwe, Impala, Buffalo, and Elephant and Leopard and Cheetah are often seen near camp. The area also has varied birdlife with Storks, Buzzards, Herons and Egrets, including the rare Slaty's Egret.