Today is at leisure to explore the area. Perhaps you’ll join one of the lodge’s morning drives with energising coffee, tea and freshly baked confectioneries.
Learn of the rich ecosystems of the park, which lend themselves to an astonishing diversity of flora, as well as an array of stunning landscapes and, of course, spectacular wild animals. Watch for elephants feeding and washing, spot stampeding herds of buffalo, keep an eye out for hyenas hiding from majestic lions and encounter up to 16 types of antelope, including the rare, semi-aquatic puku, red lechwe and sitatunga. Depending on the season, you may also catch the second-largest migration of zebra in Africa.
Alternatively, you can take part in additional activities (surcharges apply), such as fishing excursions on the Chobe, where you can expect to catch bream and tiger fish.
At midday, return to camp for lunch and relax, or head out to spot wildlife from the water, joining one of the lodge’s acclaimed guides on a water safari with specially adapted motorboats.
All-inclusive Sanctuary Retreats lodge stays with daily game drives
Gather your energy over breakfast ahead of another morning of wildlife viewing (time permitting). Later, a camp representative will transfer you to the airstrip for your charter flight to Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp airstrip.
Upon arrival, a representative will meet and transfer you to Stanley’s Camp, situated on a 260,000-acre private concession affording guests absolute exclusivity.
With 10 classic tents under an imposing African ebony tree, overlooking the Okavango floodplains, its enviable location means you can venture out before and after sunset – as well as off-road – getting you closer to the stunning wildlife. The natural wonders of the area constantly change over the seasons from lush green when the rain flows down the Angolan highlands, to dry savannah when the neighbouring Kalahari Desert tightens its grip on the terrain.
Spend your afternoon however you wish, whether setting off on a serene mokoro excursion, game drive, exclusive bush dinner or simply luxuriating in the plush comforts of your camp.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 50 minutes / Flight – approx. 90 minutes
All-inclusive Sanctuary Retreats lodge stays with daily game drives
Be sure to keep an eye out for the famous ‘Big Five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinoceroses – on today’s early morning game drive. In addition to these majestic animals, you may also spot antelopes, impalas and more than 500 varieties of birds.
During this expedition, you’ll accompany your guide to a small, secluded area for a bush breakfast surrounded by natural ambiance. You’ll be closer to wildlife than ever before as you trek through the rugged landscape, spotting animal tracks, curious insects, rare plant life and countless other amazing sights.
Afterwards, return to camp for a well-earned lunch before spending the afternoon at your leisure. Escape the heat with a refreshing dip in the pool or choose to relax to the sounds of the African bush around you on your private deck.
All-inclusive Sanctuary Retreats lodge stays with daily game drives
Begin the day exploring the verdant Okavango Delta on foot. Get up close and personal with the African environment as you encounter this unique habitat and discover the thriving flora and fauna that occupy it alongside your professional guide. Read the patterns in the sand for signs of lions, leopards, elephants, genets and even millipedes, watching for the ‘Small Five’ along the way.
In the afternoon, should the water levels allow it, cruise through the waterways of the Okavango Delta aboard a local dugout canoe, known as a mokoro. Embrace a different perspective as you see the local wildlife quenching their thirst or playing in the water just a few metres away.
Finally, enjoy an evening game drive to watch the plains come to life as the sun begins to set. Enjoy a delicious dinner back at camp, held in true African style on the boma, to bid farewell to the Okavango Delta in style.
All-inclusive Sanctuary Retreats lodge stays with daily game drives
After breakfast and a morning game drive (time permitting), you will be transferred to the local airstrip for a short flight to Chief’s Island – known as the predator capital of Africa.
In the exclusive Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve, this former royal hunting reserve is now home to the award-winning and sophisticated Sanctuary Chief’s Camp.
Upon checking into your bush pavilion, you’ll soon see why this camp regularly ranks among the world’s top safari destinations, including mentions by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. With a split-level deck offering expansive views over the floodplain, as well as a tempting plunge pool on the lower deck, this is certainly one of Botswana’s best.
This afternoon, absorb the surrounding plains and majestic African skies on a game drive, then spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 70 minutes / Flight – approx. 10 minutes
All-inclusive Sanctuary Retreats lodge stays with daily game drives
Today is yours for the taking, with a plethora of activities on offer and abundant wildlife-viewing opportunities around Sanctuary Chief’s Camp. Expert guides are on hand to share a wealth of wildlife knowledge, taking guests deep into the bush in specially modified 4x4 vehicles during morning and afternoon game drives, seeking the secluded places where elephant families congregate for a meal of tasty fruits.
In the plains, one may find the roaming lions that prey on the thousands of antelope, zebra and buffalo living here year-round. Watch for several local lion prides as well as leopards, genet cats and hyenas. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a curious wild dog – an extremely rare predator hunted to the point of extinction in most areas of Africa.
You may also choose to take a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta (surcharges apply), heading west toward the permanent delta, exposing to your sight areas unreachable by land or water.
Tonight, end your bush adventure with a private dinner under the starry African night sky, set to the lively soundtrack of the surrounding wilds.
All-inclusive Sanctuary Retreats lodge stays with daily game drives
Enjoy a relaxing morning in the camp and its surroundings before waving goodbye to your beautiful safari sanctuary.
At the agreed time, please meet the camp representative in the reception area of the lodge for your transfer to the airstrip and your included flight to Maun, where you will connect for your outbound flight. Your transfer times will be advised to you by the camp managers.
Departure & Transfers:
Checkout on your final day is at 10am. Please book your flights to depart from Maun Airport (MUB) after 1pm today. Air transfers from Chief’s Island airstrip to Maun Airport are included on the last day of your tour. Your transfer will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airstrip for your connecting flight to Maun, where your tour will conclude upon arrival.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 30 minutes / Flight – approx. 25 minutes