Okavango Delta
Kanana Camp
Kanana Camp is set in the south western delta amongst grass covered islands formed by fertile eroded termite hills dotted with fig, palm and jackal berry trees. The Kanana area encompasses a necklace of islands on the Xudum River, northeast of Pom Pom lagoon, and is wonderfully picturesque with winding waterways meandering through open lagoons.
This traditional camp has an intimate and personal atmosphere and is built among spectacular shady groves of ebony, acacia and sausage tree. It offers eight large safari-style tents equipped with tasteful furnishing and private en-suite bathrooms. The main lodge area is on raised decking encircling the trees and offers a dining and sitting area, a cocktail bar and a refreshing plunge pool.
Activities at Kanana include day and night game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, game viewing on mokoro excursions, guided walks, fishing, motor boating and sunset cruises. The waterways are lined with reeds and dotted with papyrus and tree islands. In this picturesque and tranquil part of the delta water levels vary throughout the year and therefore so do the activities. The camp managers will advise guests on the best options during their stay. A wide variety of game frequent the islands around Kanana Camp including impala, lechwe, leopard, lion and elephant and you may be lucky to see sitatunga (marsh buck) whilst boating.
Birding all year round is exceptional with regular sightings of Pel’s fishing owl amongst many others. Kanana Camp is one of the few camps in the Delta with access to a private heronry where many migratory water birds come to nest from July onwards. Birds encountered at the heronry include marabou, yellow-bill and open-bill storks. The sight of thousands of nesting birds is mesmerising and an experience you will not forget.
Facilities
Tented rooms, outdoor showers, swimming pool, dining room, cocktail bar and lounge.
Local Wildlife
A wide variety of game including impala, lechwe, leopard, lion, elephant and the rare sitatunga (marsh buck). The birdwatching is excellent and there is a private heronry with marabou, yellow-bill and open-bill storks.
Optional Activities
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris and mokoro excursions are all included on a shared basis.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Be sure to book a night on the Sleep Out Deck. Just you, the bush and a hundred million stars.
If you have any questions regarding our Botswana tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
On behalf of my wife and myself, I would like to thank all at Reef and Rainforest for arranging so superbly yet another exceptional wildlife experience. As you are aware our ‘expeditions’ tend to be species led and this year’s brief was to observe and photograph the ‘Three Big Cats of Africa’ in a truly wild setting (i.e. no fences). Your recommended destination, Botswana, did not let us down, in fact the whole trip proved an outstanding success in all aspects.
We stayed in three camps (three nights in each) across the Okavango Delta and surrounding area, each provided a different environment which ensured our aims were met. Each camp was run to a very high standard, was extremely comfortable and provided excellent meals. The quality of guiding and tracking in all our camps was of the highest standard. As Botswana manages its natural resources so well all the camps were small (no more than 18 guests) ensuring a very intimate safari experience in pristine wild African habitat.
I am delighted to report our big cat objectives were realised. All observations were lengthy and offered excellent photographic opportunities. However, unexpectedly, the highlight of our spectacular trip turned out to be sightings of two separate packs of African Painted Dogs. We visited two dens, the first had a very healthy number of adult dogs, approximately fifteen and eighteen pups. The second had seven adult dogs and sixteen pups. At Lebala we had the privilege of spending a prolonged period of time following the pack of dogs as they hunted, an experience we will never forget.
When one also considers the significant mammal and bird species we observed, Botswana is truly a must visit destination for the wildlife enthusiast. Incidentally we also observed three serval and two African wild cats. We also thoroughly enjoyed our few days at Victoria Falls, possibly the most spectacular waterfall in the world, the hotel in Zimbabwe was excellent. Viewing the falls from the Zambian side and also the helicopter flight are both well worth doing.
This was our third consecutive trip with Reef and Rainforest, and I would be very surprised if there is not a fourth being planned very soon. Thank you all once again.