Shinde Camp

Shinde in a Nutshell

This is an elegant and historical camp nestled deep within the Okavango. It is well located with access to both land and water activities. A recent refurbishment in 2015 means that the camp has modern fittings and facilities while retaining the charm and status of being one of the original safari camps in the delta. Shinde is owned and run by Ker and Downey – a name that has been associated with time-honoured safari experiences in Botswana for more than 5 decades.

Fast Facts

9 tented chalets
USD500 – USD1075
Game drives, night drives, walks, mokoro activities and boats
Access to “Young Explorers” guides for children
Access by boat or light aircraft transfer
Excellent dry land area for game drives
Access to Gadikwe Lagoon “heronries” during September and October

How to Get There

Most people fly into Shinde Camp using the nearby airstrip. You can fly in from Maun (35 minutes) or Kasane (1 hour). Flying in to this lodge is an event in itself as you get to see the Okavango from the air. Access to Shinde is also possible by an amazing boat transfer.

Game Viewing and Activities

This lodge is open all year and the nearby Maonachira channel is permanent, so boating activities are also year round. Mokoro activities are the only excursions that can be affected by flood water levels. The highlight here, for sure, is the game drives. There is a lot of dry land area with an established road network with habituated (not tame) predators and general game.

Boating here in September and October is particularly good when the nearby “heronries” are active – these are communal water bird nesting sites on isolated tree islands. The birds are very habituated to the boats so it is possible to observe the birds and their chicks from close quarters. Shinde does offer year round boating activities as the surrounding rivers flow permanently.

This camp also offers walking with armed guides. However, for those that want to do some more adventurous walking activities it would be better to book into the nearby Footsteps Camp (also run by Ker and Downey).

Camp Environment

Shinde was refurbished in 2015 and care was taken to retain the elegance and historic charm of the original camp. They succeeded and the result is modern spacious tented chalets with well appointed and luxurious fittings. The chalets are well spaced and each has great views of either the surrounding flood plains or papyrus waterways.

Set amoung lofty ancient trees the main area at Shinde has a wonderful “tree-house feel to it – a shady retreat to enjoy a great dining experience. Beautiful teak flooring, a “wagon-shaped” canvas roof and opulent classic decor leads to a feeling of relaxation and comfort at Shinde – we like the way it still feels like a classic safari camp.

Shinde Camp is owned by Ker and Downey Safaris and is one of a portfolio of well located lodges owned by the same group. You can therefore pick up good discounts when combining with other related camps on their safari circuit. In the same area, and more suited for walking, is Footsteps Camp.