Nestled on a lush palm island in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta, Ker & Downey Shinde is an iconic 5 star camp. One of the first in Botswana and loved by many. Located on the edge of the Shinde Lagoon, the area simply teems with animal and bird life.
Shinde takes advantage of the water features of the Delta. The camps unique main area is in a “tree house style”. It comprises lounges, dining areas (indoor and outdoor) and a fire deck. The swimming pool overlooks the permanent Shinde Lagoon. The camp is now 100% solar powered and has Green Plus Eco-Tourism Certificate.
An overview of what to expect when staying at Shinde in the Okavango Delta
Shinde Accommodation
Each of the 7 x tents has a large bedroom, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. There is the choice of either a double or twin bed configuration on comfortable three quarter, extra length, or king sized beds. With every possible comfort. From full solar electricity, standing and ceiling fans through to yoga mats and hair dryers!
Tent
Well spaced tents afford privacy while remaining within a comfortable distance from the main camp area.
Families are accommodated in a custom built two bedroom shared en-suite bathroom family tent. These sleep a maximum of 5 people. Specialized family guides are available.
Family Tent
Shinde Enclave
Shinde Enclave is an exclusive ‘camp within a camp’ catering for a maximum of eight guests. It offers the ultimate in personal service and an indelible wilderness experience. Shinde Enclave has a private main area with a private waiter and housekeeper. As well as a private, professional guide and game drive vehicle.
The main area has a bar, lounge, dining room, mini library, outside fire deck, and sun lounger area. It is the perfect retreat after a day’s activities. Shinde Enclave offers an exclusive hideaway for guests who want exclusivity. Your rooms are still at Shinde but all activities and dining are private. It is the perfect location from which a family or small group of friends can explore the Okavango Delta. The cost per night is $550 in 2025.
Shinde Enclave
Shinde Activities
Things to do at Shinde ↓
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.
Leopards
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 the window seat guarantee ensures no more than four guests per vehicle and individual use of a camera mount.
Shinde is on a private concession that allows guided walks, Mokoro excursions, game drives, and motorboat trips. In addition, this means night drives are also possible.
Walking safari – Lechwe and Warthogs
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 enthusiasts can enjoy motorboat trips to some of the Okavango Deltaʼs best fishing spots.
Wildlife and Birds
Year round resident wildlife includes Sitatunga, Kudu, Bushbuck, Lechwe, Reedbuck, Tsessebe, and the ubiquitous Impala. The waterways have hippos and crocodiles in abundance. As well as hyenas, jackals, African wild cats, and other small predators and prey. Leopards have made the Shinde concession their home for many a generation. And show placid traits at sightings. There is a patchwork of lion territories that extend into the Moremi Game Reserve and adjoining concessions. This means that lions are regular visitors/residents throughout the year. On occasions, there are sightings of cheetahs (more regular at Shinde Footsteps) and wild dogs. The concessions’ location means that it is a dry season grazing resource for elephants, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest. Roan antelope and eland are also occasionally seen.
Most of the normal Delta bird species are represented. With the Pels Fishing Owl being a reasonably regular “tick”.
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 which 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 flights over the Okavango Delta
Shinde 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, photography, and family safaris.
Cost of $550 in 2025 per night. It includes the guides’ accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps.
A maximum of six guests per Specialist Guide.
Depending on the number of guests a private vehicle may be required.
Walking Safari – Options are available to walk between Shinde and Footsteps.
Ker & Downey Botswana offers dedicated walking guides from Shinde, Kanana, Dinaka, Footsteps, and Maxa (opening March 2025).
The Specialist family safari also 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).
Private Safari Vehicle
A private vehicle may be booked for guests requiring three or fewer people per vehicle. The cost is $550 in 2025 per vehicle per night. This also secures private activities as offered by the camp.
Shinde Accommodation Rates
Ker & Downey Botswana offers discounted rates for longer stays. So, combine your stay at Shinde with their other camps in the Delta. These include: Kanana Okuti Shinde Footsteps Camp
Maxa (Opening 20/03/2025)
Or, in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve at Dinaka
2025 Shinde Fully Inclusive Rates
1 to 4 nights
5 to 6 nights
7 to 8 nights
9+ nights
Low:
January and February
Per Person Sharing
$700
$630
$609
$581
Single Supplement
Child*
$490
$441
$426
$407
Shoulder:
1st March – 15th April
Per Person Sharing
$1100
$1045
$1012
$968
Single Supplement
$385
$366
$354
$339
Child*
$770
$732
$708
$678
High:
16th – 22nd April
Per Person Sharing
$1465
$1392
$1348
$1289
Single Supplement
$513
$487
$472
$451
Child*
$1026
$974
$944
$902
Shoulder:
23rd April to 31st May
Per Person Sharing
$1100
$1045
$1012
$968
Single Supplement
$385
$366
$354
$339
Child*
$770
$732
$708
$678
High:
1st June to 31st October
Per Person Sharing
$1465
$1392
$1348
$1289
Single Supplement
$513
$487
$472
$451
Child*
$1026
$974
$944
$902
Shoulder:
1st November to 14th December
Per Person Sharing
$1100
$1045
$1012
$968
Single Supplement
$385
$366
$354
$339
Child*
$770
$732
$708
$678
High:
15th December 2025 – 6th January 2026
Per Person Sharing
$1465
$1392
$1348
$1289
Single Supplement
$513
$487
$472
$451
Child*
$1026
$974
$944
$902
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.
Shinde 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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