Shinde Footsteps Camp

OVERVIEW:

This excellent little Ker & Downey camp occupies a wonderfully remote setting away from the busier parts of the Okavango Delta. As the name suggests, the emphasis here is on walking, although the camp’s location supports a wide range of wet and dry safari activities. With just four tents, including a two-bedroom family unit, the camp accommodates a maximum of six guests at any one time, guaranteeing an intimate, exclusive experience. Expect a warm, homely atmosphere with traditional safari values and a fantastic team. Shinde Footsteps offers amazing value and a winning formula of first-rate guiding, delicious food, and a variety of activities. It’s the ideal camp for an exclusive-use group or a multi-generational family looking for an adventurous safari and exceptional walking in one of the best game areas in Africa. Accommodation at Shinde Camp is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, and a laundry service.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

On the northern edge of the Okavango Delta, Shinde Footsteps occupies a remote woodland setting in Shinde Private Concession, overlooking a permanent lagoon. The camp is accessed by light aircraft into Shinde Airstrip (approximately 25 minutes’ flight time from Maun). From here, it’s a 45- to 90-minute drive to camp, depending on the current water levels and wildlife encounters. You might even journey by mokoro for parts of the trip if the water is high.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SHINDE CAMP:

Shinde Footsteps occupies a watery, tree-shaded setting overlooking a hippo-inhabited lagoon. It has a warm hospitality that stays true to the safaris of yesteryear. Guest accommodation consists of four Meru-style canvas tents on raised decking, each with its own covered veranda with a table and chairs – a great spot to relax and enjoy the surrounding landscape between safari activities. The style is rustic but charming, with mesh-covered windows to keep the mozzies out, hardwood floors with jute rugs and vintage kilims, a simple hanging unit for clothes, storage trunks, a headboard with reading lamps, and a writing desk. The en-suite facilities include indoor and outdoor showers, and a porcelain washbasin. Guests can choose between a twin, double, or family tent with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Traditional kikoi wraps are provided, as are insect repellent, yoga mats, and a selection of weights.

The main tent is a simple canvas structure with a bar, comfortable seating, and a dining area. As it’s open sided on three sides to make the most of the views, you’ll often see the resident wildlife wading past! Warmly lit with paraffin lanterns by night, the convivial firepit area is the camp’s hub at sundowner time – there’s always so much to discuss about days spent on safari. And as the first stars appear, guests are invited to dine al fresco, tucking into delicious food sourced locally and prepared by the chef. Keen photographers will enjoy the photo editing suite, which is furnished with desks, charging ports, and storage cabinets, to ensure the safe-keeping of camera equipment.

ACTIVITIES AT SHINDE CAMP:

The camp is well placed to offer a broad range of safari activities, with both wet and dry options on offer almost year-round for exploring this breathtaking, diverse environment. Notably, high-quality walking safaris are available, a rarity in the Okavango Delta. Please note that walking usually has a 12-year age limit (16 years for the more challenging routes). However, little nature walks around camp as part of the Young Explorers program allow children to explore safely, and staff members are brilliant at accommodating the youngsters’ needs.

• Game drives

  – Two game drives are offered daily, during the morning and the late afternoon. It’s also possible to take a full-day trip and venture farther afield if others wish to join (in terms of vehicle numbers and availability). Among the highlights are lion, leopard, elephant, hyena, and buffalo. Keep an eye open for smaller predators such as jackal, serval, civet, honey badger, and the rare wild dog, while the large herbivore collection features giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and an assortment of antelopes.

• Walking safaris

  – Set off into the bush with a specially trained armed guide for an adventure-filled walking safari. You don’t need any experience, and the group determines the length of the walk. As well as animal tracking and taking in the phenomenal birdlife, walking provides close encounters with insects and plants that aren’t so easy to spot from the confines of a vehicle. Different levels and distances are possible, depending on the ages of your group. Please note, the minimum age requirement for a classic walking safari is 12 years.

• Night drives

  – Head out at night when all the big predators come out to hunt in the concession. This is always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the darkness! You might see porcupines, genets, civets, bush babies, and occasionally a larger predator with its prey.

• Boating

  – The boating safaris from Shinde Footsteps are spectacular. See elephants wading through the waterways, in addition to hippos, crocs, and a plethora of birdlife. The Okavango Delta has some of the best boating in Africa, and this is a highlight of any Botswana safari.

• Mokoro canoes

  – Glide silently through the endless water channels of the Delta, cross paths with some of the smaller animals, such as frogs and birds, and get a closer look at the region’s pristine flora. Mokoro rides are best from June to September when the water is at its highest, and each canoe can accommodate a couple plus your poler.

•  Young Explorers program

  –  Ker & Downey can designate a specialist family guide, providing age-appropriate engaging activities and flexible schedules to suit your needs. This means the whole family can experience things together. The camp needs to be booked on an exclusive-use basis to activate this adventure. Do chat with one of our specialists to learn more.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.