Shinde Footsteps
Shinde Footsteps is an exclusive camp in the lovely Shinde Concession in the north-eastern Okavango Delta.
Shinde Footsteps is a wonderful little camp with an exclusive and beautiful location and operates with only six guests at any one time. Its recent refurbishment and rebranding (formerly Footsteps Camp), while certainly raising the level of accommodation, has still retained an authentic bush camp feel where you feel very much a part of the natural environment, often with game strolling through camp. There is a small and friendly team to look after you and activities are led by excellent guides. While no longer a purely walking-focused camp, Shinde Footsteps does offer the option to book a specialist walking guide and so is a great option for those who want to explore the Delta in more depth, without losing too many creature comforts. With its intimate size, Shinde Footsteps makes the perfect choice to book exclusively for small groups and families; and with Ker and Downey’s excellent Young Explorers programme, the camp is a fantastic option for families with children aged from seven years. Footsteps offers good value for money, with flexible options for a more specialist safari.
Rooms
Accommodation is offered in four tents, including one family tent, which are built on to raised timber decks with a verandah to the fore. The bedroom includes double or twin beds, a writing desk and storage for clothes/luggage. To the side of each bedroom are en suite facilities including a vanity, flush toilet and indoor and outdoor plumbed showers. The family tent has two bedrooms sharing a bathroom.
Central Areas
The central area consists of an open sided lounge and dining tent, each built on to timber platforms, and camp fire and all overlooking the lagoon.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – No (coming later in 2024)
Habitat & Wildlife
The Shinde Concession covers just over 90 sq. kilometres and is located on the northern edge of the Okavango Delta. There is a varied habitat from permanent waterways and vast papyrus swamps to wide open plains and open woodland. Footsteps is located beside a river system in the northern part of the concession, a beautiful area set aside principally for walking. Resident wildlife includes lion, leopard, hyaena, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and plenty of general game. Roan, eland, sitatunga, wild dog and cheetah are sometimes seen.
Activities
Activities include morning and afternoon game drives, night drives, walking safaris, boat cruises and mokoro excursions. Fishing is also offered from March to December. For those interested in a more serious walking safari, a specialist walking safari guide can be booked at extra cost to explore the concession in depth and itineraries can be created to walk between Shinde main camp and Footsteps Camp.
Seasons
Shinde Footsteps is open year round, though game viewing is best from June onwards.
Children from seven years and above are welcomed and there is a dedicated family tent with two bedrooms sharing a bathroom. Ker & Downey, the camp’s owners, operate an excellent Young Explorers programme which can be booked at extra cost and includes a specialist family guide to host the safari with flexible activities focusing around the needs of the children whilst allowing the adults to learn about the bush and also get some well-earned relaxation time.
Chobe Impact is the philanthropic, non profit arm of Ker & Downey (owners of Shinde Footsteps). 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.
