Reviews of Shinde Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
102 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Shinde Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
73% success
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"Shinde Camp review"
The most luxurious of the sites for us, with large tented 'chalets', fixed cubicle showers, twin washbasins, decanter of sherry on bed side table, impressive dining area etc, but poor guiding and with a rigid attitude to game viewing being confined by meal times.
Our fellow guests liked it a lot apart from the 'low' density of game compared with Chobe. So it depends what your priorities are.
We found our guide Alberto very disappointing, monosyllabic, would grunt 'zebra, hornbill, giraffe' etc without any attempt to inform about the animals/birds/habitat or what he was doing in looking for game.
Our guide had very much a take two photographs and move on approach, rather than knowing when to sit and watch.
To give two examples of how camp routine overrides game viewing:
A pride of lions was feeding on a dead elephant and rather than wait and observe, we had to leave to have our 'sundowner' at it's appointed site and be back in time for dinner. Another vehicle from Ker and Downey's adjacent sister lodge stayed with the elephant in to the evening (able to because the kill was closer to their lodge) and saw the arrival of many hyaena.
On our last morning we saw fresh leopard tracks on our way back to the lodge but couldn't look for the leopard as it would have made us late for lunch
A minor irritation was Ker and Downey's failure to provide the quides with binoculars, our guide borrowed ours as his personal pair had been damaged. Niggling when you go to pick up your binoculars to view something, to find the guide has got there first!
Managers felt superficial and inflexible, and amazingly ignorant about bird life. Food perfectly adequate but not as good as previous camps
If you want a four star hotel that happens to be in the bush with added 'activities' then this is for you. If you want to see and learn as much as you can during your trip to Botswana, then I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana
We were surprised and disappointed to hear the comments regarding the guide, Alberto. He is normally rated very highly and even has a mention on Expert Africa’s website. Other guests staying at the same time as these travellers gave excellent feedback on Alberto. We have, however, discussed these travellers’ comments in full with him as we are always striving to improve our service and our guiding.
With regards to returning early to camp, we have looked into this thoroughly. The incident with the lions feeding on the elephant was regrettable, but in order to return to Shinde, the vehicle needed to cross a fairly high river. Alberto left the sighting to cross this river before dark, as crossing it in the dark would not have been safe. Perhaps had he explained this fully to the guests, they would have understood his reason for leaving earlier – and we apologise that this was not communicated to them.
The leopard tracks which were found just before lunch were right on the edge of the game-viewing area, and were heading in the direction of the concession (game-viewing area) next door – through which Shinde does not have permission to drive. In addition, the tracks disappeared into an area of very long grass by the river so the guide took the decision not to follow them so as not to get stuck or damage the vehicle with any hidden hazards in the grass.
With regards to Alberto borrowing these guests’ binoculars, we can understand that this must have been frustrating for them. It is not usually our policy to provide guides with binoculars and Alberto does have his own pair which he usually uses. We asked him about this and unfortunately the day before he had dropped these into the water and they were currently in Maun waiting to be fixed! We usually have a spare set in each camp and we are not sure why Alberto did not use these.
Expert Africa has also noted that these travellers had previously stayed at a private mobile camp, Santantadibe, run by a superb guide with individual attention. Their comments on this camp speak for themselves! We realise that after such an exclusive experience, moving to a slightly larger camp where there were other guests may be a slight anti-climax. We have learnt from this and will, in future, strongly encourage our travellers to visit private mobile camps at the end of their trips, rather than at the beginning or in the middle.
"Shinde Camp review"
It was also the most luxurious camp we stayed at - but also probably the most formal. The atmosphere was not as relaxed or welcoming as at the other camps, and one of the guides was a little too gung-ho (especially for the 12-year-old in the party - eg inviting elephants to charge).
Nevertheless, a great and memorable time, and an ideal camp if you have limited time and want to sample both kinds of Delta experience." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia
"Shinde Camp review"
The food was probably the best on our trip, with great variety and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 1n in Zambia
"Early morning tracking at Shinde"
Very much enjoyed this camp also, and experiencing a drier part of the Delta. Would recommend the boat and mokoro trips also. Again, our guide, Moja, gave us very interesting and informative trips. The staff again were great." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
"Food superb. Game excellent."
But as before, no need to have tea served at 5.30 when having great breakfast at 6.00." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana
"This was our first safari - brilliant"
All the camp staff were very helpful and friendly. Great managers, great hospitality" See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 4n in South Africa
"Shinde Camp review"
Spacious layout in woodland gives opportunities for birdlife to while away time when in camp.
Tents a little old fashioned in style but are perfectly functional." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"5 star ratings for Shinde"
Managers Barbara and Bruce, our guide Bee, major domo Julius and virtually everyone else on the staff were absolutely top-notch. The guiding and activities were superb, the best of our trip. Vehicles were new and comfortable. Food was excellent, so was the service.
The site of the camp is wonderful and its overall design just lovely. We would definitely return to this location. I would rank this camp the top overall rating of the four we visited and would recommend to anyone." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana
"Shinde"
The guides, whilst have the most amazing spotting skills, lacked enthusiasm that we had seen in our earlier camp... The food at Shinde was good but felt the dining setting was a little too formal. We loved the fact there was a pool which meant we could relax in the afternoon between game drives - although it did lack sunloungers and towels for the numbers that wanted to use it.
Shinde excelled in offering a number of different type of activities - mokoros, motoboat trips, walking safaris. The champagne and cheese platter we received as a honeymoon treat was a lovely touch." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 5n in Mozambique; 2n in Zambia
"Shinde Camp"
Only one adverse comment and that was the staff in charge, Rian and Winnie. Their hospitality felt quite "forced" and we felt rather regimented. On arrival after a hot trip what I most wanted was a cold drink and the loo! I did not appreciate a long talk about Ker and Downey and their other camps - all too much "marketing"!
On our last day the time of transfer changed 3 times - as it was originally going to be at 10 so we decided to forego a early game drive and relax and catch up a bit, when it changed to a later time we were made to feel it was somehow inconvenient for THEM for us to be still there.
Other guests also felt they were not the most skilled hosts so I would have some reservations about recommending what is otherwise a great place." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
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Sandibe Safari Lodge
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Chitabe Camp
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Kiri Camp
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Atzaro Okavango
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Eagle Island Lodge
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Mbamba
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Qorokwe Camp
Luxurious and contemporary, the relatively new Qorokwe Camp is a gem in the Okavango Delta, offering land- and occasionally water-based activities in a prime wildlife area.
