An Africa Exclusive Travel Story: Botswana

Encompassing rolling grasslands, as well as sand dunes and saltpans, the desert is a surprisingly fertile environment and home to a unique population of desert-adapted plants and animals. Plenty of species flourish in this flat, reddish landscape, from the notorious black-maned lion to entertaining meerkat mobs.

Dinaka Camp

Dinaka Camp is situated on a vast, private reserve on the northern edge of the world-renowned Central Kalahari Game Reserve, in Botswana. The private reserve has several, permanent, life-sustaining waterholes so the game viewing is excellent all year round. Predators abound, with plentiful lion, cheetah, leopard, jackal and the rare desert specialist - the brown hyena.

This luxurious lodge allows you to immerse yourself in the wild without compromising on comfort. Unwind after a day of safari excursions in the relaxing swimming pool or on the viewing platform, complete with firepit. Then, experience the beauty of Botswana’s Kalahari at night and sleep under the stars on the Sleep Out Deck.

Philippa’s Experience - A Night Under the Stars

"Nothing makes you feel as alive or equally as peaceful as a night at Dinaka’s star beds. Falling asleep under the Kalahari sky to the distant call of a lion; Waking up to fresh coffee and a breath-taking sunrise I was reminded how blessed we are to explore the natural world. The star beds are quite simply one of the best things to do in Botswana."

An exquisite montage of lily-covered wetlands, sparkling floodplains, open grassland, and dappled forests, Moremi is one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves. Moremi’s distinct dual personality: large areas of dry land rising between vast wetlands, attracts a myriad of game all year round. Herds of elephant and buffalo wade through waterways, packs of endangered African wild dog prey on unsuspecting plains game, while hippo dominate the deep lagoons.

Okuti Camp

Located in a beautiful position alongside the Maunachira River in the wildlife-rich heart of the Okavango Delta. Overlooking oceans of grassland dissected by the river, Okuti Camp is a serene base from which to explore the Moremi Game Reserve.

Affording an enviable position within the Moremi, consistent game viewing makes Okuti an ideal destination all year round.

Philippa’s Experience - Boating at Okuti

“Stepping into the boat right from camp, we were only a minute or two into the journey when we came across our first elephant in the water. Little did I know how many more we would encounter during this idyllic activity, which concluded with sundowners to a chorus of hippo before returning to camp for dinner.”

One of Africa’s most iconic landscapes, this vast and pristine wetland is one of the greatest wildlife-watching destinations on earth. Okavango landscapes transform magically as water levels rise and fall - whatever time of year you visit you’re guaranteed awe-inspiring wildlife sightings. Bird watching is just as exciting, with some 400 recorded species. The best way to see wading birds such as the hammerkop is on a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) ride.

Shinde Camp

Shinde Camp is one of the most beautifully located in the Okavango Delta, a sophisticated tented camp set on a lush island surrounded by crystal-clear waters and shaded by ebony and mangosteen trees. The variety of habitats across the concession and the permanent water, means it teems with wildlife.

Built in a treehouse style, the elevated accommodation is stylish and elegant, luxurious but with a historical charm. As one of the longest-established camps in Botswana, the experience at Shinde is truly authentic, with many of the welcoming staff having called it home for decades.

Philippa's Experience - Soaring Over The Okavango

“Being in an open-sided helicopter above the wildlife-filled forests of the Okavango Delta is something I'll never forget. The exhilaration, the ever changing landscape, and unique view of the wildlife were unlike anything I’d experienced on safari before. When staying at a Ker & Downey Botswana property, you can enjoy a helicopter flight as an additional activity, or use it as your mode of transportation to the next camp!”

Diverse Portfolio of Luxury Safari Camps

Ker & Downey have a diverse portfolio of camps across Botswana, each offering a superb safari experience. The camps all combine authentic safari style with just enough modern luxury; the warm atmosphere ensures that you arrive as a guest and leave a friend.

Discover Wildlife in Privacy

"With almost all Ker & Downey camps located on private reserves, you can expect to enjoy privacy for your game viewing. A female leopard seemingly posing just for us in the bush, a male leopard having a stand-off with a hungry hyena, a lioness with adolescent cubs play fighting, a cheetah hunting and pregnant wild dog are just a few of the wildlife sightings I was privileged to enjoy." - Philippa Page, Head of Operations

A Warm Welcome

Whether it was the incredible guides, the singing before dinner or the chats around the campfire in the evening, each member of the team goes out of their way to make you feel at home in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness.