Shinde Camp
Shinde Camp is a tented lodge located on the edge of the Shinde Lagoon in the exclusive Shinde Concession in the northern Okavango Delta.
Shinde is a well-established camp which offers a fantastic all round Okavango experience. Being located on permanent water, the water activities are guaranteed year round, whilst the dry areas of the Shinde concession also offer excellent game viewing. The camp has very comfortable tented accommodation and a relaxed but quietly sophisticated atmosphere. Managers and staff are friendly and offer a warm welcome. It is a camp that can work well for safari enthusiasts as well as anyone looking for a more relaxed sojourn in the bush. There is also the option of booking a specialist walking guide so guests can get out and explore on foot, and still return to a very comfortable camp at the end of the day. Shinde is a great all round option that fits well into a wide variety of itineraries, and is specifically one of the best camps for combining both big game and the full delta experience.
Rooms
Shinde caters for a maximum of 20 guests in nine comfortable double/twin bedded tents raised off the ground on wooden decking. Five of the tents are built on low platforms and overlook the plains, whilst four tents, including the family tent, are raised well above the ground overlooking the papyrus reedbeds of the Delta in the opposite direction. The family tent has an additional twin room, accessed from the main bedroom and which shares the main bathroom. All tents are very comfortably furnished with ceiling fan, standing fan, small furnished viewing deck to the front and en suite facilities to the rear, including a plumbed indoor and outdoor shower, flush loo and vanity.
Central Areas
The comfortable main central areas are spread over three linked decks, comprising two lounges and a dining area. The canvas and wood structures are all open sided with lovely views over the lagoon. On the lower level is the bar, fire pit and further al fresco dining area. There is a small swimming pool, also with views over the water, around which to spend the heat of the day.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Shinde Concession covers just over 90 sq. kilometres and is located in the northern part of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Moremi Game Reserve to the south.
Shinde Camp is a classic ‘combination camp’ (offering both wet and dry activities) being located on the edge of the Shinde Lagoon which links to the Moanachira river system and the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta, whilst also offering direct access to expansive dry habitat behind the camp. Here open floodplains dotted with islands of mature Jackalberry, Garcinia and Raintrees extend northwards before the vegetation changes to riverine trees and mixed mopane/acacia woodland. Resident wildlife includes lion, leopard, spotted hyaena, elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra, crocodile and plenty of general game. The elusive sitatunga are often seen in the reed beds close to camp. Wild dogs pass through the area regularly and it is not impossible to come across one of the Okavango’s re-located rhinos, though this would be a rare occurrence. Night drives offer the chance to see nocturnal species such as porcupine, genet, civet, African wild cat and serval.
Activities
Game viewing activities include exploration of the main waterways and lagoons of the Delta by power boat or mokoro (dugout canoe), game drives (by day and night), and very limited walking. Fishing is also available (best from September onwards and is not permitted in Botswana in January and February).
Seasons
Shinde is open all year round, though game viewing is best from June to early November. Fishing is not permitted in Botswana during December, January and February.
Shinde is extremely well suited to families with children seven years and older. The family suite is very practical, the staff are very friendly, there is a swimming pool and the safari activities are varied. Shinde can also provide specialist private guides who have a great deal of experience hosting families under a programme run by camp owners, Ker and Downey Botswana, called Young Explorers. This is an excellent option for families looking for a range of activities and learning experiences beyond the standard game drives and boat cruises.
Chobe Impact is the philanthropic, non profit arm of Ker & Downey (owners of Shinde Camp). Every guest pays a donation (added to the accommodation rates) to Chobe Impact and this donation is matched by Ker & Downey Botswana. Chobe Impact applies the funds to initiatives that make a positive impact in the key areas of education, community empowerment, research, and conservation. One of the main projects supported is Bana Ba Letsatsi, a day centre which provides vulnerable and orphaned children with food, skills training, mentoring and counselling as well as sport, art and musical activities.
Support is provided in the form of monthly donations to the organisation to buy essential everyday items such as food, clothing and classroom materials for the children. These regular donations also allow Bana Ba Letsatsi to budget for unexpected expenses, and the charity sets aside a proportion of the donations each month to cover any unforeseen medical emergencies which may occur.
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 in and respect for wildlife. Annually, groups of children from the Wildlife Club are hosted in the Ker & Downey Botswana camps. It’s a time to put their bush knowledge into practise and enjoy all that the wildlife and wilderness has to offer.
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. Please note the centre is not open for visitors – items will be collected and delivered by Ker & Downey.
