Kanana (Ker & Downey Botswana) is a child friendly camp in the southwest of the Okavango Delta. Courtesy of its location, Kanana can offer both water and land activities year round. This exclusive camp is 5 star graded by Botswana Tourism Organization with Green Plus Eco Tourism certification.
Kanana is a hidden jewel on the Xudum River. The area encompasses a necklace of islands dotted with palms, figs, ebony, and knob thorn trees. It is home to a myriad of birds, plants, and animals. The nature of the habitat makes it the perfect place to experience the diversity of species found within the Okavango Delta.
The annual floods transform parts of this concession into a true water paradise, offering guests the best of both worlds. Due to the camp’s location guests can experience magnificent game sightings during drives. As well as the unique experience of exploring the delta’s beautiful waterways by boat or Mokoro.
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.
The main lodge area at Kanana is on decking encircling a massive ancient fig tree. There is a reading nook, bar, lounge, and dining area. There is also a small pool at Kanana.
Guests stay in 7 x raised spacious twin or double bedded safari tents. This gives each tent uninterrupted views over the floodplains. Each en-suite bathroom has a large walk-in shower and luxurious fittings. Well spaced tents afford privacy while remaining within a comfortable distance from the main camp area.
Tent interior
Every possible comfort has been catered for. From full solar electricity, standing and ceiling fans, to yoga mats and hair dryers!
Families stay in a two bedroom tent, sharing an en-suite bathroom. There is also an outdoor shower. The family tent sleeps a maximum of 5 people.
Family tent
Dedicated Family Safari
A specialist family guide can accompany you through any of the Ker & Downey Botswana properties at an additional cost of $550 in 2025 per night.
This includes:
A specially designed program that allows families to discover the wonders of the African wilderness. Together.
Hosted by a specialist family guide 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. This includes a shirt, cap, water bottle, and certificate.
The guides’ accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps.
Ker & Downey Botswana offers this upgrade at all camps except Maxa (opening March 2025).
Things to do at Kanana ↓
Kanana Activities
Kanana’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.
Mokoro and motorboats provide a chance to experience the incredible bird, plant, and reptile species found in the aquatic habitat of the Okavango Delta. Kanana uses glass bottomed Mokoro’s to enable you to view the underwater world of the Delta.
Game drives are conducted by a personal guide in comfortable, specially designed game drive vehicles. A window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle. And the individual use of a camera mount.
Lioness
Fishing is available throughout the year (except January and February). With excellent bream fishing from May to September. And superb chances of landing tiger fish from September to mid November.
Fishing boat at sunset
This area is excellent for birding. Guests staying at Kanana have exclusive access the Kanana Heronry. This is the largest and most active heronry in Southern Africa. From July – October, the heronry plays host to Pink Backed Pelicans. This is the most important Southern African breeding site for Pink Backed Pelicans. The heronry also has:
Reed Cormorants,
3 types of Herons (Grey, Black Crowned Night & Green Backed),
Darters,
3 types of Egrets,
Marabou Storks
Both Glossy and Sacred Ibis.
Pel’s Fishing Owls have breeding sights on the islands which is always a highlight.
All the normal Delta bird species are represented. Even non birders will soon be converted to keen “twitchers”.
Yellow Billed Storks at Kanana Heronry
For the more adventurous, guided walks are also available.
Dedicated Walking Safaris
For guests wanting to have an immersive walking experience, a highly qualified and experienced trail guide can be booked. This cost is $550 in 2025 per night. They will accompany the guests throughout their safari.
Affording the ultimate flexibility to explore the wilderness on foot. Maximum of six guests per Specialist Walking Guide. Depending on the number of guests a private vehicle may be required. A walking gift pack is included.
Options are available to walk between Kanana and the Sleep Out Deck.
Cost includes the guides’ accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps.
Ker & Downey Botswana offers this upgrade from Shinde, Kanana, Dinaka, Footsteps, and Maxa (opening March 2025).
Helicopter Over the Delta
Moments after departing camp you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views seen only from a helicopter. Experience the crystal clear water channels meandering their way through lagoons. Journey deep into the lush green flood plains exploring some of the many animal species of the Okavango region.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that must not be missed. The doors are removed on scenic flights for unrestricted views. This offers great photographic opportunities.
Scenic helicopter flight rates per person
2025
30 minutes
$370
45 minutes
$555
60 minutes
$725
Add on – Island Champagne Stop*
$50
There is an option to extend this to include a champagne stop on a private island. Other helicopter experiences are available.
Scenic flights are conducted any time of day. Keen photographers prefer early morning or late afternoon. Others prefer flying in the siesta period, so activities are not missed.
Scenic helicopter over the Delta
Sleep Out Deck
The Sleep Out Deck offers guests the opportunity to spend the night out under the magnificent African night sky. Just 20 minutes from camp overlooking a busy pan, is the truly romantic sleep-out deck. A guide accompanies you to your sleep out and stays in his own tent nearby. So if you need him, he is close by. Wake up to enjoy the sunrise from your deck. And watch the plains game as they gather on the pan to warm themselves in the morning sun.
The sleep-out deck is available for guests staying 2 nights or more. It is $300 in 2025 per booking per night for this experience.
Sleepout deck
Ker & Downey Botswana’s vehicle policy guarantees window seats and a maximum of four guests per vehicle. But if you would like a private vehicle (for three guests or less) it is $550 in 2025 per vehicle per night. This also secures private activities as offered by the camp.
Would you prefer a Specialist Guide to accompany you for the duration of your stay in Botswana? The Specialist Guides are well versed in all aspects of guiding including walking safaris, photography, and family safaris.
Cost of $550 in 2025 per night. It includes the guides’ accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps.
Kanana Accommodation Rates
Ker & Downey Botswana offers discounted rates for longer stays. So, combine your stay at Kanana with their other camps in the Delta. These include:
Kanana Okuti Shinde and Shinde Enclave Shinde Footsteps Camp
Maxa (Opening 20/03/2025)
A Single supplement applies to a third adult when booked into a family or twin tent.
*Child Policy: Low and shoulder season:
The child rate is available to a child sharing with one or two full paying adults in a twin, triple, or family tent. High season:
The child rate is only available when booked into the family tent(s) with two sharing adults.
The rate applies to children six to fifteen years of age.
The adult rate applies to sixteen years and above.
A private vehicle is not required.
Camp managers and guides reserve the right to cancel any activity due to safety concerns.
Kanana Rates include
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 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’s long stay rates include a contribution to Bana Ba Letsatsi. This is their social responsibility program.
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