Ker & Downey Botswana is a name that is – and always will be – associated with exclusive, yet time-honoured safari experiences. Over five decades it has developed into one of Botswana’s most esteemed safari operators, representing luxury service and personal attention to detail.
At Ker & Downey Botswana, we are committed to providing guests the highest quality wildlife and adventure safari experience, whilst preserving the delicate environment and natural beauty of Botswana. We constantly strive to maintain standards of excellence within the industry whilst fostering economic and social development of the local communities and Botswana as a whole.
Okavango
The Okavango Delta is the only inland delta of its kind and a unique oasis of life in the centre of the arid Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The 16,000 km² delta owes its existence to rainfall in the Angolan highlands. The rainy season begins in November, and the floodwater begins its 250 kilometre journey downstream. Because of the gentle slope of the delta basin, the floods take around six months to make their way from Angola.
The Okavango Delta consists of channels, tributaries and lagoons as well as floodplains, islands and mainland areas. There are two distinct areas of the Delta: the vegetation of the permanent swamp includes groves of wild date palm, swathes of papyrus, islands fringed with forest and lagoons covered with floating water lilies while the seasonal swamp consists of open floodplains which support tall and elegant real fan palms.
Our camps in the Okavango: Shinde Shinde Enclave Kanana Shinde Footsteps
Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi Game Reserve is situated at the heart of the Okavango Delta, Botswana and was the first wildlife area to be set aside by tribal people rather than colonial powers. In 1963 the Batawana Tribal Administration approved setting up a reserve in the area of Khwai and Mogohelo. The reserve was subsequently named Moremi Wildlife Reserve after Chief Letsholathebe Moremi. Although the delta is a Ramsar site the Moremi is the only statutorily protected part of the Okavango Delta, it is surrounded by a buffer zone which is carefully controlled in terms of wildlife management. The reserve itself is unfenced, allowing free movement of animals within the Delta according to seasonal migrations. Moremi extends east and northwards as far as Chobe National Park, ensuring a continuous area of protected land all the way to Kasane. Chief's Island is the largest island; 100km long by 15km wide, it was most likely created by tectonic movements.
Moremi Game Reserve supports the most diverse habitat and animal populations in Botswana. Resident species include wild dog, cheetah, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, hyena, zebra, kudu, lechwe, sable and roan antelope.
Our camps in the Moremi Game Reserve: Okuti
Central Kalahari
The Central Kalahari is one of Botswana’s most wild and remote areas and although the landscape isn’t as diverse as the Okavango or Moremi the seemingly endless wilderness and remoteness is remarkable. Home to wildlife ranging from giraffe to the antelope, small mammals like the honey badger, bat eared fox and porcupine to predators including the Kalahari lion, cheetah, leopard and brown hyena.
The annual rains transform the arid desert landscape into a lush profusion of Kalahari vegetation, offering guests a unique insight into the lesser known desert experience. Birding is particularly spectacular as the area hosts over 200 different bird species including the Kori Bustard and Crimson Breasted Shrike and a high concentration of Pale Chanting Goshawks.
Our camps in the Central Kalahari: Dinaka
Our Safaris
Young Explorers
The Young Explorers safari is a specially designed safari which offers families the opportunity to discover the wonders of the African wilderness - together. It literally allows guests to explore the bush at their leisure, while never losing sight of the fact that being in the wilderness is also about having fun!
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FOOTSTEPS ACROSS THE DELTA (A walking safari)
On this walking safari 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.
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KANANA & OKUTI
The Ker & Downey Botswana Safari Package (Kanana and Okuti) combines the perfect blend of experiences. Kanana and Okuti complement each other perfectly, offering a diverse range of habitats and wildlife encounters. In keeping with our child friendly policy, the safari contributes a percentage of its profit to Bana Ba Letsatsi.
ExploreKANANA, OKUTI & SHINDE
The Ker & Downey Botswana Safari Package (Kanana, Okuti & Shinde) combines our Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve (5-star camps) into one cost effective itinerary. Start your journey from either Maun or Kasane. In keeping with our child friendly policy, the safari contributes a percentage of its profit to Bana Ba Letsatsi.
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Bespoke Botswana Safaris
You are free to plan your own safari itinerary in Botswana, along with an experienced travel professional of your choice, as the beauty of the Ker & Downey Botswana Safari portfolio is that our camps can be booked in any combination and may be combined with other areas in Botswana and Southern Africa.
What We Do Best
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