Shinde Guides (Okavango Delta)
At Ker & Downey Botswana we believe that, in addition to spectacular wildlife and stunning locations, it’s the people you meet on your safari that make it such a memorable experience. We are very proud of all of our team, here are just a few of the people you’ll meet during your time at Shinde in the Okavango Delta.
Bonnetswe "Bee" Sarefo
I go by the name Bee, I have been working for Ker & Downey Botswana since 1986. I have always loved nature, conservation and the responsibility that comes with the job of being a professional guide. What I love most about my job is working with people from all nationalities and the sharing of life experiences that comes with meeting new people.
I like Shinde as it is a private concession, therefore I can do my activities without any constraints, we can move around more freely and get guests up close and personal with the wildlife. This provides them with a better and more memorable experience.
Keneilwe "Kenny" Tshoganetso
My name is Kenny, I am a professional guide at Shinde, one of Ker & Downey Botswana’s five star camps. I was born thirty years ago in a small village called Matlapana, the gateway to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. I spent most of my childhood in the Xhihaba hills where I learnt about tracking and survival strategies from the local bushmen people.
Prior to working at Shinde, I was part of the Botswana Defence Force Anti-poaching Unit, this work allowed me to spend my days in the wilderness of Botswana and there began my passion and my journey to where I find myself today. I felt the need to show outsiders what I was experiencing on a daily basis which is why I left my job with the army and began my career as a guide. I am proud to call Shinde my second home!
Simon Garebatshole
My name is Simon Garebatshole, I was born and raised in Xaxaba village where my father was working as a Professional Guide at Oddballs camp.
I sat the Professional Guide examination in 2011 and the following year I went to school at Botswana Wildlife Training Institute for a year upgrading my guiding skills. I worked for several companies before joining Ker & Downey Botswana as one of the camp guides. This is my second year at Shinde and I love working here because it offers a diverse range of activities like Mokoro, night drives, boat cruise, walking safari, fishing and the traditional game drives. Shinde exposes you to various areas of guiding, each day is different.
Ker & Downey Botswana takes us guides to courses which keeps us fresh and updated in our department at all times. I have loved guiding since being a child when I saw my father with guests. I wanted to become a guide when I grew up and my dreams came true when I became one in 2011.
Salani Masala
My name is Salani Masala and I’m from the North East part of Botswana, a place called Kalakamati near Francistown. My father is a farmer and I used to be a herd boy. On weekends my cousin and I would walk twelve kilometers to our cattle post. Whilst walking we were trained to differentiate tracks of wild animals from domestic animals and that is where my first lesson of bush awareness was learnt and ultimately it was during this time that my passion for the wilderness was born.
In 1994 after completing my Form two school examinations, I went to visit my sister who was working in the tourism industry. My plan was to spend a week or two in the bush and then go back home to apply to vocational colleges however plans changed slightly when I was offered a job during my stay. I started as a waiter and worked my way up in the company, two years later I wrote and passed my guides examination.
Over ten years of guiding experience has brought nothing less than joy to my heart and its truly fantastic to be able to take guests out and show them our extraordinary country.
Ontlametse 'Chachos' Njwaki
Ontlametse Njwaki is my original name, Chachos is my nickname as it’s easily pronounced by the tourists. I was born and bred in a small village called Etsha 6, in the northern part of Botswana. Etsha 6 is situated along the Okavango delta. My parents are farmers and they practice mixed farming. As a kid growing up along the Okavango delta, my friends and I would go swimming, fishing and watch different kinds of birds and wild animals interact and this is how I developed my love for nature.
In 2008 I enrolled in one of the local private schools to train as a professional safari guide and in 2014 I landed a post with Ker & Downey Botswana as a mokoro poler and a boat driver. The following year I was promoted to be a professional safari guide. It is my career dream to become a role model in the industry and to achieve this I need to be determined, focused and self-driven in whatever I do.
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