Shinde Footsteps Camp (Okavango Delta)

Shinde Footsteps is in a remote part of the Okavango Delta in the Shinde concession. It historically been home to two distinct safaris. Firstly ‘Footsteps Across the Delta’ a walking safari. And secondly ‘Young Explorers’, a specialist family safari. Now it operates as all Ker & Downey camps operate. Open for all visitors. But still having the options for specialist family safaris and walking safaris. With a dedicated specialist guide.

This classic adventure camp has retained its delicate footprint and charm as a discerning safari experience. Whilst days are spent exploring the wilderness areas, evenings are wound away around the fire. Down on the Kalahari sand.
The main area comprises of a dining mess in addition to a lounge. Both with views over a permanent hippo pool. A photo editing suite and guest toilet complete the main area.

Shinde Footsteps camp is ideal for couples or small groups. Being on a private concession, Shinde Footsteps is unrestricted by park rules.

Shinde Footsteps Camp Accommodation

This comfortable private camp which accommodates guests in 4 x canvas tents on decks overlooking a permanent lagoon. Complete with sewn-in floors. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom including wash basin, porcelain flush toilet. And outdoor and indoor showers. Even a daily laundry service.

One of the four tents can be converted into a family unit that sleeps five. It consists of two tents that share a bathroom.

Okavango Delta family accommodation — Family tent

Family Safari

Shinde Footsteps is ideal for children and multi-generational safaris. The emphasis for kids is on learning how to track game. Both on foot and in 4×4 safari vehicles. We also teach children how to make small animal traps and how to start a fire from nothing more than two sticks. The children learn how to:
Recognize different animal spoor;
Identify a range of birds;
Try their hand at poling a Mokoro (subject to water levels);
Drive a game drive vehicle;
Fish;
Shoot an air rifle at tin cans.
On completion of the safari children receive a Young Explorers certificate, t-shirt and cap.

A dedicated specialist guide is available for families.

Shinde Footsteps Camp Activities

Experience the astonishing contrasts created when the mighty Okavango River flows into the arid Kalahari Desert. The result is a variety of habitats, riverine forest, palm islands, permanent swamps and dry sandveld. All with an unparalleled wealth of animal diversity.

Ker & Downey Botswana’s vehicle policy guarantees window seats and maximum four guests per vehicle.

Wildlife and Birds

Year round resident wildlife includes Sitatunga, Kudu, Bushbuck, Lechwe, Reedbuck, Tsessebe and the ubiquitous Impala. The waterways have Hippo and Crocodile in abundance. There are also a couple of adjoining Leopard territories which are generally occupied. As well as Hyena, Jackal, African Wild Cat and other small predators and prey. There is a patchwork of Lion territories that extend into the Moremi Game Reserve and adjoining concessions. This means that Lions are regular visitors/residents through the year. On occasions, there are sighting of Cheetah (more regular at Shinde Footsteps) and Wild dog. Leopard have made the Shinde concession their home for many a generation. And show placid traits when it comes to sightings and the presence of the game drive vehicles. The concessions location means that it is a dry season grazing resource for Elephant, Buffalo and Zebra and Wildebeest. Roan antelope and Eland are also occasionally seen.

Most of the normal Delta bird species are represented. With the Pels Fishing Owl being a reasonably regular “tick”.

Walking Safari

From this wonderful base we are able to offer something very special. The opportunity to explore the wilderness on foot. To get up close and personal with the African bush. It’s not to be missed. Walking in the Okavango Delta’s wilderness is the highlight of a ‘true safari’ experience. No special training is required as the focus is on exploration and discovery. Tracking fresh spoor each morning to reveal the night’s events.

A dedicated walking guide is available for your safari.

Okavango Delta walking safari — Wild dog on a walking safari

Helicopter Over the Delta

Moments after departing camp you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views seen only from a helicopter. Experience the crystal clear water channels meandering their way through lagoons. Journey deep into the lush green flood plains. Exploring some of the many animal species of the Okavango region.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that must not be missed. The doors are removed on scenic flights for unrestricted views which offers great photographic opportunities.

Scenic flights Rates per person	2023	2024
30 minutes	$325	$345
45 minutes	$490	$520
60 minutes	$640	$680

There is an option to extend this to include a champagne stop on a private island for an extra $50 per person in 2023 and 2024. Or a 2 hour Floodplains to Panhandle experience. This scenic flight explores the Okavango Delta including a private island picnic stop. This costs $990 in 2023 and $1350 in 2024.

Helicopter over the Okavango Delta — Scenic helicopter flight

Scenic flights are available at any time of day. Keen photographers prefer early morning or late afternoon. Others prefer flying in the siesta period, so activities are not missed.

Photographic Safari

Okavango Delta makes for incredible photographic safaris. At Shinde Footsteps, there is a editing suite for avid photographers. Learn the secrets of wildlife photography from a dedicated photographic guide (see below for costs).

Other activities include game drives, boating, mokoro or fishing trips (subject to water levels).

Shinde Footsteps Dedicated Specialist Safaris

Would you prefer a Specialist Guide to accompany you for the duration of your stay? The Specialist Guides are well versed in all aspects of guiding including walking safaris, or photography, and family safaris.
Cost of $500 in 2023 and $550 in 2024 per night. This includes the guides accommodation and flights between the Ker & Downey Botswana camps. Maximum of six guests per Specialist Guide. Depending on number of guests a private vehicle may be required.

Walking Safari – Options are available to walk between Shinde and Footsteps.
Ker & Downey Botswana offers dedicated walking guides from Shinde, Kanana, Dinaka and Footsteps.

The Specialist family safari also includes:
A specially designed program which offers families the opportunity to discover the wonders of the African wilderness.
The emphasis is on providing the family with engaging, age-appropriate activities. On a flexible schedule while creating shared family memories to last a lifetime. On completion of the safari, children receive a gift pack including a shirt, cap, water bottle and certificate.

Private Safari Vehicle

A private vehicle may be booked for guests requiring three or less people per vehicle. The cost for this is $500 in 2023 and $550 in 2024 per vehicle per night. This also secures private activities as offered by the camp.

Shinde Footsteps Camp Accommodation Rates

Ker & Downey Botswana offers discounted rates for longer stays. So, combine your stay at Shinde Footsteps Camp with their other camps in the Delta. These include:
Kanana
Okuti
Shinde and Shinde Enclave

Or, in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve at Dinaka

2023 Fully Inclusive Rates in US Dollars		1 to 3 nights	4 to 5 nights	6 to 7 nights	8+ nights
Low: Jan, Feb, Mar & Dec
	Per Person Sharing	583	496	466	437
	Single Supplement*	175	149	140	131
	Child**	350	298	280	262
Shoulder: Apr to Jun & Nov
	Per Person Sharing	717	681	645	609
	Single Supplement*	215	204	194	183
	Child**	430	409	387	365
High: July to Oct
	Per Person Sharing	913	867	822	776
	Single Supplement*	274	260	247	233
	Child**	548	520	493	466

2024 Shinde Footsteps Accommodation Rates

2024 Fully Inclusive Rates in US Dollars		1 to 3 nights	4 to 5 nights	6 to 7 nights	8+ nights
Low: Jan, and Feb
	Per Person Sharing	650	553	520	488
	Single Supplement*	228	193	182	171
	Child**	390	332	312	293
Shoulder: Mar to May & Nov to Dec
	Per Person Sharing	802	762	722	682
	Single Supplement*	281	267	253	239
	Child**	481	457	433	409
High: June to Oct
	Per Person Sharing	995	945	896	846
	Single Supplement*	348	331	313	296
	Child**	597	567	538	508

* Single Supplement:
Applicable in Low and Shoulder season for three or more singles per booking.

**Child:
Child rate applies to children 7 to 15 years of age. Adult rate applies to 16 year olds and above.
Applicable in Low and Shoulder season when a child is sharing with one or two full-paying adults in a twin, triple, or family tent.
During High season, the Child rate is only available when booked into the family tent(s) with two sharing adults.

Stays with Ker & Downey Botswana are on a fully inclusive basis. This means that the nightly rate at each of the camps covers the following:
Accommodation.
Game activities conducted by professional guides.
All meals and snacks.
Selected alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
All taxes, park entrance fees and service charges.
Daily laundry service.
Emergency evacuation insurance (to a regional medical facility).

In keeping with the child friendly policy, Ker & Downey Botswana long stay rates include a contribution to Bana Ba Letsatsi. This is Ker & Downey Botswana’s social responsibility program.

Okavango Delta Accommodation