Ker & Downey Botswana

The Footsteps Camp is in a remote part of the Okavango Delta and home to two safaris. Firstly ‘Footsteps Across the Delta’ a walking safari and secondly ‘Young Explorers’, a specialist family safari.

This comfortable private camp which accommodates guests in three specially designed, twin-bedded, Meru tents complete with sewn-in floors. One of the three twin bedded tents can be converted into a family unit that sleeps five. Each tent has its own newly refurbished en-suit bathroom including wash basin, porcelain flush toilet and hot water bush shower, even a daily laundry service.

The ‘bush kitchen’ is run by our chef and prepares menus to whet all appetites.

From this wonderful base we are able to offer something very special – the opportunity to explore the wilderness on foot: to get up close and personal with the African bush. It’s not to be missed.

Walking in the Okavango Delta’s wilderness is the highlight of a ‘true safari’ experience. No special training is required as the focus is on exploration and discovery – tracking fresh spoor each morning to reveal the night’s events. Other possible activities include game-drives, Mokoro or fishing trips (subject to water levels). The Footsteps walking experience combines well with the luxuries offered by either Shinde, Dinaka, Okuti or Kanana.

The emphasis is on guided walks which allow you to focus on learning how to track wildlife and understand animal movement, patterns and behaviour. Being on foot instead of in a vehicle also allows you to gain in-depth information on trees, grasses and the finer details.

Kanana is a hidden jewel set on the Xudum River in the southwest Okavango Delta.

The area encompasses a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony and knob thorn trees, and is home to myriad of birds, plants and animals.  The nature of the habitat means it is the perfect place to experience the diversity of species found within the Okavango Delta.

Dependent on the height of annual floods, the level of water transforms this camp into a true water experience and in the early months of the year you may actually enjoy the visible spectacle of the water rising around the camp.

Guests are accommodated in 8 spacious, twin-bedded tents, set on raised teak decks which offer breathtaking views across the waterways.
    
All tents offer en suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water, shower and flush toilet.  

The tents are well spaced to afford privacy, whilst still being within comfortable distance from the central dining and lounge area, and the swimming pool.

Activities at Kanana vary with the rising and falling levels of the Okavango Delta.   Your professional guide will assist you in planning your days to best explore the area.

Game drives in specially designed vehicles take place in the morning and late afternoon, and further into the evening on night drives.

In addition you may wish to explore the crystal clear waterways by mokoro or motorboat, and enjoy the magnificent variety of birds, plant and reptile species found in the area.

Guided walks are highly recommended in this beautiful area, as well as fly or spin fishing for tilapia, African pike and sharp tooth catfish.

The minimum age accommodated at Kanana is 7 years; younger children are considered on request during low season.

Okuti draws its influence from the Maunachira River which flows in front of the camp, with its abundant birdlife, fish and sandy river banks, it remains an oasis of serenity and peacefulness. Okuti is built amidst the wilderness of one of Botswana’s prime game viewing regions, Moremi Game Reserve.

Okuti comprises of five very spacious twin and double-bedded “Masasas” (ancient tribal word for house of reeds), exceptionally unique in style and architecture all rooms overlook the permanent Maunachira channel. An additional two family “Masasas” consist of two bedrooms which share spacious bathroom facilities – ideal for families in this child friendly camp. Each en-suite bathroom provides both an indoor and outdoor shower. Connected by raised wooden walkways all areas of camp are wheelchair accessible.

Situated in the heart of the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, guests can experience game drives with unhindered views in specially-designed safari vehicles. When out on game drives our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle and individual use of a camera mount. The Moremi Game Reserve is rich in wildlife, and its consistent year-round game viewing makes it ideal for repeat and first-time visitors to Botswana. Guests can also explore the Okavango Delta waterways by motorboat, and the areas open lagoons and winding channels make it a birder’s paradise, complete with herons and storks in the breeding season.

Okuti offers one of the best value safari experiences in the Moremi Game Reserve and Okavango Delta region of Botswana. It provides excellent game viewing due to its widely varied and protected habitats which support a huge variety of wildlife.

Okuti can accommodate clients wishing to self-drive (in 4WD) into Moremi Game Reserve, offering an adventure and an alternative to flying.

Nestled on a lush palm island in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta, Shinde is an iconic camp, one of the first in Botswana and loved by many. The new Shinde is built in a way that pays homage to its former self. Located on the edge of the Shinde Lagoon, the area simply teems with animal and birdlife.

Shinde was rebuilt in 2020, the camps unique main area is built in a “treehouse style” comprising of lounges, dining areas (indoor and outdoor) and a fire deck all with beautiful views over a permanent lagoon and under the shade of ebony and mangosteen trees. The new tents and main area provide a luxury experience with a touch of historical charm. The décor of the new camp can be described as “the best of nature within an authentic safari design – still with the understated, friendly and intimate Ker & Downey Botswana feel”. Elegant, Classic, Opulent ‘Out of Africa’. A ‘worldly’ sophisticated safari experience.

Each tent comprises of a large bedroom, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower. There is the choice of either a double or twin bed configuration on comfortable three-quarter, extra length or king-sized beds. Every possible comfort has been catered for – from full solar electricity, standing and ceiling fans through to yoga mats and hair dryers! Families are accommodated in a custom build two bedroom shared en-suite bathroom family tent sleeping a maximum of 5 people.

Courtesy of its location Shinde can offer both water and land activities year-round. Motorboats or Mokoro provide a chance to experience the incredible bird, plant and reptile species found in the aquatic habitat of the Okavango Delta. Game drives are conducted by a personal guide in comfortable, specially designed game drive vehicles. When out on game drives our window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle and individual use of a camera mount. For the more adventurous, guided walks are also available while fishing enthusiasts will enjoy fishing for a variety of species such as tilapia and tigerfish.

Shinde is situated on a private concession which allows guided walks, Mokoro excursions and night drives in addition to game drives and motorboat trips. Shinde’s excellent location in the Okavango Delta ensures a combination of permanent water access for year-round water activities and large dry areas for game drive routes. This blend of environments provides the habitat for a consistently wide variety of wildlife, including the elusive sitatunga antelope and a healthy population of leopards.

Fishing is available throughout the year (with exception of January and February), with excellent bream fishing from May to September and superb chances of landing tigerfish during September to mid-November.

An exclusive private reserve hugging the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Dinaka is host to one of the most unique bio-diversities in Southern Africa. This ever-changing desert landscape gives refuge to the Kalahari lion, springbok, Oryx and brown hyena. The camp itself was acquired in 2017 and provides the perfect start or finish to any discerning travellers Botswana safari. Guests are accommodated in seven spacious twin and double-bedded safari tents, each en-suite bathroom has an indoor and outdoor shower, hot and cold running water and flush toilet. Families are accommodated in a two-bedroomed tent, sharing a spacious en-suite bathroom – ideal for families in this child-friendly camp. Dinaka’s tents are well spaced and raised up on wooden decks giving the perfect vantage point over a permanent water hole. Connected by wooden walkways all areas of camp are accessible by wheelchair.

The Sleep Out Deck offers guests a panoramic view and the opportunity to spend the night under the magnificent African night sky.

Maxa is a rare, small safari camp, focussed upon exploration within a seldom seen, beautiful corner of the Okavango Delta. Maxa is sited overlooking the large, hippo frequented, Maxa Lagoon in the North Eastern reaches of the Okavango delta, at the source of the Selinda Spillway.

The landscape consists of a network of permanent lagoons which are fed by ephemeral channels and connect to expansive grassy floodplains and riverine woodland islands. A rich diversity of wildlife inhabits the area, assuring guests of an exciting and immersive safari experience.