If you want to see the Okavango Delta in all its glory, then you should go to Chief’s Island. It’s located in the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve in northern Botswana; and Rhynhardt and I were lucky enough to explore its wetlands while staying at Mombo Trails Camp.
We only had two nights, so we had to pack a lot of activities into our stay.
Mombo Trails Camp is a temporary camp, built on the Mombo Concession, on Chief’s Island, that provides accommodation while the legendary Mombo Camp is busy being re-built. It’s a low impact camp. With a light footprint, the camp will be completely dismantled (leaving no trace) once Mombo Camp has reopened.
Easy flight access from Cape Town
It’s never been easier to access the Okavango Delta! SA Airlink offers daily direct flights between Cape Town and Maun (Botswana).
A light aircraft flight with Wilderness Air took us from Maun Airport to the Mombo Airstrip – with amazing views of the Delta below. On arrival at the airstrip, we were met by OB who was our guide for the next two days.
Intimate tented camp
We arrived to find a beautifully intimate tented camp nestled under the shade of endemic Jackalberry trees. The central lounge and bar area is tented and built on a low platform overlooking spectacular floodplain beyond. The 8 tented rooms are fitted with all modern conveniences that you expect from a Wilderness Premier Camp.
Each tent has its own deck where we enjoyed steaming mugs of tea while viewing zebra, lechwe and impala. At night, we fell asleep to the sounds of the African bush vibrated through the tent at night.
Mombo Concession game drives
Our first game drive on the Mombo Concession was great! The Mombo Concession has a legendary reputation of some of the best year-around land-based game viewing in Botswana. Our experienced game ranger OB didn’t disappoint us.
We saw massive herds of elephants, spotted hyena, two large pride of lions (including a pride on a giraffe kill) as well rare sightings of an elusive honey badger. We even saw a white rhino on our last game drive!
Chief’s Island is the only location in Botswana where you can view both black and white rhino. Rhino were re-introduced on the island in early 2000 as a collaborative conservation effort between Wilderness Safaris and Botswana’s Department of Wildlife.
Magical evening dinners
On arriving back at camp after our evening game drives, lanterns were lit in the entire camp. It lent an air of magic to the night, reminiscent of safaris of a bygone era. The days’ game viewing was discussed over gin and tonics around a large bonfire.
The meals were elaborate, and we enjoyed five-course plated dinner under the stars. We couldn’t help admiring the ingenuity of the chefs who showed such creativity in a remote environment.
The staff at Mombo Trails are the heart of the camp and the warmth and hospitality. The high service levels really made our stay at the lodge, and together with the excellent guiding, ensure that all guests leave this unique part of the Okavango Delta system with memories to last a lifetime.
Contact us if you’d like to book a safari to Southern Africa or want to know more about the African Bush Camps.
