The perfect start or finish for any discerning traveler’s Botswana safari is Ker & Downey’s camp, Dinaka. It is on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. This exclusive camp is 5-star graded by Botswana Tourism Organization with Green Plus Eco Tourism certification.
The annual rains transform the desert landscape into a lush profusion of vegetation. The Central Kalahari with its ever-changing landscape is host to one of the most unique bio-diversities in Southern Africa. Offering unique wildlife such as the Kalahari lion, honey badger, bat-eared fox, and brown hyena. To name a few species. This offers guests a unique insight into the lesser-known desert experience.
Being in a private concession, there are no time limitations or park rules. Off-road trips, nighttime drives, dinners in the bush. It is all part of the experience.
Dinaka offers 7 x spacious twin and double bedded safari tents. Each en suite bathroom has an indoor and outdoor shower, hot and cold running water, and a flush toilet. The tented rooms are set on elevated wooden decks offering the perfect vantage point over the camp’s permanent waterhole. 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 the camp are accessible by wheelchair.
Twin Tent
Dinaka is ideal for families who are accommodated in a two-bedroom tent, sharing a spacious en-suite bathroom. The family tent sleeps up to 5 people. Specialised family guides are available.
Family Tent
Things to do at Dinaka
Dinaka Activities
The focus of activities at Dinaka is exploring the Kalahari experience. Wildlife ranges from giraffe to the antelope, small mammals like the honey badger, bat-eared fox and porcupine. To predators including the Kalahari lion, cheetah, leopard and brown hyena. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles. With afternoon game drives often continuing into the evening. The window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle when out on game drives. Alternatively, you may get more up close and personal with nature on foot with guided bush walks.
Lion
Birding is particularly spectacular. Dinaka hosts over 200 different bird species including the Kori Bustard and Crimson Breasted Shrike. And a high concentration of Pale Chanting Goshawks.
Goshawk and Guinea Fowl
The reserve also offers an educational walk with San Bushmen. Year-round water holes result in spectacular photographic opportunities. Either from the underground bunker, hide or vehicle.
Sleep Out Deck
The Sleep Out Deck offers guests the opportunity to spend the night under the magnificent African night sky. With a panoramic view. The deck is a mere 30 minute gentle drive from camp. You depart after your dinner for this short night drive. The deck provides your sleeping quarters, with a vast star lit view. On this same level, is the toilet providing easy accessibility to amenities for those annoying calls of nature. It is the epitome of African romance. Lit up by flickering lamps. As you nestle deep into your comfortable bed, let the cool night air and African bush sounds wash over you. And drift into a deep and restful sleep. Your armed guide will sleep nearby in his own tent available at an instant to assist you. Or return you to camp should you decide to return to your own tent. Awakening refreshed with the light of the new day. Hot coffee and tea awaits you. The dawn chorus and the spectacular colors of the sunrise can be enjoyed from your bed. At your leisure you can then enjoy a short game drive back to camp for a sumptuous breakfast.
The sleep out deck is $300 in 2023 and 2024 for guests staying 2 or more nights at Dinaka. Offered between April and November.
Sleep out Deck
Dinaka Dedicated Specialist Guides
Would you prefer a Specialist Guide to accompany you for the duration of your stay? The Specialist Guides are well versed in all aspects of guiding including walking safaris, or photography, and family safaris. Cost of $500 in 2023 and $550 in 2024 per night. This includes the guides accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps.
Maximum of six guests per Specialist Guide. Depending on number of guests a private vehicle may be required. Options are available to walk between Dinaka and the Sleep Out Deck. Cost includes the guides accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps. Ker & Downey Botswana offers the walking safari upgrade from Shinde, Kanana, Dinaka and Footsteps.
The Specialist family safari also includes: A specially designed program which offers families the opportunity to discover the wonders of the African wilderness. The emphasis is on providing the family with engaging, age-appropriate activities. On a flexible schedule while creating shared family memories to last a lifetime. On completion of the safari, children receive a gift pack including a shirt, cap, water bottle and certificate.
Private Safari Vehicle
A private vehicle may be booked for guests requiring three or less people per vehicle. The cost for this is $500 in 2023 and $550 in 2024 per vehicle per night. This also secures private activities as offered by the camp.
Please note: Dinaka is closed from 1st December 2023 until 1st March 2024
* Single Supplement. Applicable in Low and Shoulder season for three or more singles per booking. **Child. Applicable in Low and Shoulder season when a child is sharing with one or two full-paying adults in a twin, triple, or family tent. During High season, the Child rate is only available when booked into the family tent(s) with two sharing adults. Child rate applies to children 7 to 15 years of age. Adult rate applies to 16-year-olds and above.
Stays with Ker & Downey Botswana are on a fully inclusive basis. This means that the nightly rate at each of the camps covers the following: Accommodation. Game activities conducted by professional guides. All meals and snacks. Selected alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. All taxes, park entrance fees and service charges. Daily laundry service. Emergency evacuation insurance (to a regional medical facility).
In keeping with the child friendly policy, Ker & Downey Botswana long stay rates include a contribution to Bana Ba Letsatsi. Ker & Downey Botswana’s social responsibility program. Each guest staying at Dinaka also contributes to the conservation of the endangered rhinos through the Dinaka Rhino Contribution Fund.
Eco-friendly luxury accommodation in Central Kalahari Game Reserve overlooking Tau Pan, where you can enjoy game drives, walks and day trips to Deception Valley – great for families and honeymooners
