Location & Landscape
Shinde is located on the private Shinde Concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, an area celebrated for its remarkable combination of permanent waterways, open floodplains, islands, and dry woodland habitats. Its excellent location allows for both land and water-based safari activities throughout the year, offering one of the Delta’s most complete and varied safari experiences. The concession’s diverse ecosystem supports an impressive concentration of wildlife and offers a peaceful, exclusive atmosphere away from the busier areas of the Delta.
Wildlife Experience
The Shinde Concession is home to an exceptional variety of wildlife, with regular sightings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, red lechwe, wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, and numerous antelope species, including the elusive sitatunga. Predator sightings are excellent, particularly for leopard, lion, hyena, and occasionally wild dog and cheetah. The region is also renowned for its birdlife, attracting a wide variety of aquatic and migratory species throughout the year. The blend of wet and dry habitats ensures consistently rewarding game viewing in every season.
Accommodation
Rebuilt in 2020, Shinde offers a refined safari experience with a touch of classic “Out of Africa” charm. The camp features spacious luxury tents, each designed with elegant safari décor and a warm, authentic atmosphere. Every tent includes a large bedroom, an ensuite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, comfortable king or twin bedding configurations, ceiling and standing fans, full solar electricity, yoga mats, and thoughtful modern comforts. Families are accommodated in a specially designed two-bedroom family tent with a shared ensuite bathroom, suitable for up to five guests.
Design & Atmosphere
The camp’s unique main area is built in an elevated, treehouse-style setting beneath ebony and mangosteen trees, overlooking a permanent lagoon. Indoor and outdoor lounges, dining spaces, and a fire deck create a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere that feels deeply connected to the surrounding environment. The design blends natural textures and understated luxury with the warm and intimate spirit that defines Ker & Downey Botswana camps. Elegant yet unpretentious, Shinde combines classic safari romance with modern comfort in a beautifully immersive setting.
Activities & Experiences
Courtesy of its exceptional location, Shinde offers a wide range of safari activities throughout the year. Game drives are conducted in specially designed vehicles with a maximum of six guests per vehicle, ensuring a window seat for every guest and a more personalized wildlife experience. Mokoro excursions and motorboat safaris offer a quieter perspective on the Delta’s waterways and allow guests to explore its rich birdlife, aquatic plants, and reptiles. Guided walks offer a more intimate understanding of the bush, while night drives reveal nocturnal wildlife rarely seen during the day. Fishing is also available for much of the year, with excellent bream fishing from May through September and prime tigerfish season from September to mid-November.
Access
Shinde is accessed by light aircraft from Maun, followed by a short game drive transfer from the airstrip to camp. Its central Delta location easily combines with other regions of Botswana, including the Linyanti, Moremi, and Central Kalahari, for a diverse and well-rounded safari itinerary.
