Kanana Camp
Kanana Camp is a tented lodge overlooking a wide floodplain of the Xudum River in the private Kanana Concession in the south-western Okavango Delta.
Kanana has traditionally been a camp we think of as offering a fantastic wetland Okavango experience with year round water, charming boating and mekoro excursions, great birding and beautiful sunsets. In recent years, however, the game viewing has also been very good with lion and leopard sighted regularly, and even the odd white rhino. As the camp offers walking too, and now has a sleep out deck, it really is a camp that offers a full range of safari experiences. That said, we would still place the emphasis more towards the wetland experiences as we do not feel the area can quite compete with the best big game areas of the Okavango. Birding is fantastic with chances to see Pel’s fishing owl. One of the aspects of the camp we really like is the warm welcome that is offered by the staff and management, and the very friendly and relaxed atmosphere that the camp has. Whilst the tents these days are actually pretty luxurious, the ambience of the camp is much more four star than five star. We really like this camp and because it also offers good value for money we find it works well in a wide number of itineraries.
Rooms
Kanana caters for a maximum of 18 guests in eight tents (including one family unit) all of which are built onto low wooden decking. Each is very comfortably furnished with polished wood floors, en suite plumbed facilities including shower and toilet, ceiling fan and 24 hour lighting. To the front of each tent is a private furnished verandah with views out across the lagoon. The family tent consists of two bedrooms (linked internally), a shared bathroom and an additional outdoor shower.
Central Areas
The central open plan dining area, bar and lounge is built under canvas and raised onto a wooden deck. To the front, steps lead down to a small jetty from which the boat and mekoro excursions depart and a beach on which the evening fire is made. There is a small pool, perfect to cool off during heat of the day.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Kanana Concession covers an area of some 95 sq. kilometres, much of which is permanent Delta with its typical mosaic of papyrus reed beds, papyrus, snaking channels, secluded lagoons and forested islands. The south-eastern section of the concession includes the northern reaches of the Khurunaraxa ‘sand tongue’, an area of open grassland, pans and riverine forest which is where game drives are undertaken. There are decent general game concentrations, including elephant, giraffe, buffalo and hippo, whilst lion and leopard have been seen regularly in recent years. Cheetah and wild dog are occasionally found in the area, and night drives can be productive. Kanana is also a good place to try and see the rare and aquatic Sitatunga antelope.
Kanana Camp is especially good for birding. In the north-west of the concession lie two lagoons which contain the largest and most active heronry in southern Africa (July to November is best). Covering some 100 hectares, the heronry is the most important breeding site for the pink back pelican. It is also home to other species including reed cormorants, three species of herons and egrets, darters, marabou storks and both the glossy and sacred ibis. Pel’s fishing owl are also known to breed in the area.
Activities
Kanana offers an all-round safari experience, including big game viewing, but with a greater emphasis on the Okavango wetland experience. Activities include mekoro excursions, boat cruises, day and night game drives by open 4×4 vehicles and nature walks. Fishing is also available from March to December. There is also a sleep out platform located about 20 minutes from camp overlooking a seasonal waterhole/floodplain, which is a pre-bookable option for guests staying three or more nights in camp. The high platform has a bed under the stars with basic bathroom facilities below (toilet and basin). Your guide sleeps in a tent a short distance away.
Seasons
Kanana is open all year round. The Okavango wetland experience is best during the height of the flooding, which is usually from late May through to early September, but water activities are possible year round.
Kanana Camp is extremely well suited to families with children seven years and older. The family suite is very practical (though the furthest room from the main areas), the staff are very friendly, there is a swimming pool and the safari activities are varied. Older children in particular may love the opportunity to spend a night on the sleep out platform. Kanana can also provide specialist private guides, some of whom have a great deal of experience hosting families under a programme run by camp owners, Ker & Downey Botswana, called Young Explorers. We highly recommend this camp for families, though the wild environment is not suitable for children under seven years.
Ker & Downey Botswana, owners of Kanana, supports Maun-based NGO Bana Ba Letsatsi (Children of the Sun) which assists northern Botswana’s orphaned and vulnerable children by providing them with food, clothing, education and counselling as well as sporting, art and musical activities. Ker & Downey provide monthly donations to the organisation based on a percentage of their safari sales. The children also regularly attend the BBL Wildlife Club which is run by Ker & Downey’s specialist guides who encourage them to develop an interest and respect for their wildlife. Bana Ba Letsatsi has been introduced to the Pack For A Purpose organisation which means that Ker & Downey Botswana’s guests may use the space in their luggage to bring in donations of clothes, toys and educational materials for the children.
Ker & Downey also support Rhino Conservation Botswana where a donation is included in each booking fee for one particular camp.
