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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"Not the best time to be at Shinde?"
No-one was in overall charge; there were 3 young trainee managers who were all very polite but didn't always respond to requests. The wild life was mixed: not much to see on the boat trips and the game drives had been affected by a large bush fire three months ago - this meant no small mammals but easy to see the big game without the normal long grass.
But the main problem was our guide - he seemed grumpy and it felt like he didn't want to be doing the job. We tried hard to make a connection with him, but it was difficult and we certainly didn't feel looked after, as we did in the other 2 camps. But we enjoyed the company of other guests and the plentiful good food!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Shinde gets the holiday off to a great start!"
The tents were comfortable and well spaced with a wonderful view over the savannah. The food was varied, plentiful and well presented. It was nice that the guides had dinner with the guests.
The area provided a mix of water and land based outings enabling us to see some wildlife that we hadn't seen elsewhere in Africa including a rare sighting of a rock python thanks to the eagle eyes of our guide." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"great safari at Shinde camp"
"Great fun on the water"
"A good experience at Shinde"
We found the landscape very appealing with expanses of open grassland and the view from our tent was great.
The first day we arrived we were taken out on a motorized boat. We were accompanied by one guide. The guide took us into a very shallow area and the propeller became entangled with weeds and clogged up with thick mud, the motor very quickly overheated with the frantic efforts of the guide to try and disentangle us. This went on for a considerable amount of time, we even had our sundowner whilst waiting for the engine to cool! Eventually we suggested that the guide ought to radio in and let the camp know where we were situated, I felt very vulnerable and was thankful no hippos or crocs appeared as we would have been sitting ducks. We did actually manage to limp home but the engine was damaged and it wasn't an experience that I'd care to repeat.
In saying that we did have some amazing game experiences at Shinde. The best of which involved a leopardess, who posed quite regally for us in a tree for a considerable length of time enabling us to get some great shots.
I think in conclusion we overall enjoyed our time at Shinde, every camp we stayed at had something amazing to offer. The vehicles used by Kwando seemed superior to those used by Ker and Downy. Kwando Jeeps had 3 sets of seat and 2 people could sit together whereas K and D,s vehicles only had 2 sets which meant 3 people sharing. The Kwando vehicles also had a longer wheelbase and therefore were nothing like as bumpy as K and D's.
At Shinde, as noted by the above experience on water where only one guide accompanied us, it also applied in the jeep with one guide and no tracker. At Kwara we always had a guide and a tracker both in the vehicle and on the motorized boat. This felt a much more satisfactory and safer arrangement!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Shinde Camp review"
"Unforgettable experience at Shinde Camp!"
First of all the managers Gabs and Mhpo and all the staff were very kind and extremely attentive to all their guests. Our guide Bee has been great and I shall never forget such a beautiful person. He not only was very knowledgeable like all the other guides that we have met but he has been able to transmit to us his love and his respect for nature. We have learnt so much not just about wild life and the flora, but also about each other's culture. At the end of the three days the two of us, Bee and another two ladies who were in our group had bonded so well that we felt like we had known one other for years. On our second day at Shinde we went out on a relaxing boat trip in the afternoon. It was lovely to see the sun disappearing at the horizon from the boat , while enjoying a drink. Back at the camp we found a lovely card and bottle of champagne waiting for us in the hut, courtesy of the managers Gabs and Mhpo who, together with the rest of the staff wanted to wish us happy anniversary. How thoughtful of them!
After having seen big groups of giraffes, wildebeests, warthogs, zebras, tsessebes, monkeys, baboons, impalas, lechwes, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, hyenas, honey badgers and many other wild animals (as well as many beautiful birds), on the morning of our third day Bee has managed to track a magnificent lion with his lioness. Spotting them amongst the high grass and following them while they were moving around was so emotional! In the afternoon we also saw a female leopard on a tree and that as well was amazing. We followed her while she came down the tree ready to hunt and even if we have not seen her catching her prey (despite we patiently waited while she was moving slowly crouching in the grass) again it was an exciting experience.
Then, towards the end of the day we met the lion and the lioness again but this time he had to compete with another three majestic males! Words cannot describe our emotion while we witnessed four adult lions fighting for a lioness, which in the end decided that none of them was good enough for her and left them empty ended... What a story!! It must have been a magic day as while we were driving back to the camp we also saw a red moon rising in the dark sky. Last but not least the food was amazing and we particularly liked the traditional meal that they cooked for us one of the evenings.
Our stay at Shinde was first class and we could not have asked for more!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Shinde, more wildlife close encounters"
Once again the camp staff were all very welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. A free self-service bar in the raised lounge was available with views across an expanse of grassland to keep us interested even while relaxing there. The dining area is raised at least 3 metres above the ground and surrounded by trees, a lovely spot too. The tents are as always well appointed and well equipped.
Having been in camp less than 30 minutes I was lucky enough to be walking along the path back to our tent when a small black mamba crossed about 5 metres ahead of me, very exciting. Further close encounters while out on drives were many at Kanana and included leopards, lions, hyenas, Cape wild dogs and a solitary cheetah.
Walking safaris, fishing and game drives kept us busy and happy for our 3 days at this camp with possibly more species of both animals and birds than at either of our other camps. The great service from the lovely staff made this another splendid experience." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia
"Shinde Camp review"
The camp itself is beautifully set among trees - at night the lights look spectacular. The communal areas are very well designed, and the rooms are very comfortable. Note though that not all have views, because of the trees (we asked to move to one which did). Food was always excellent.
The highlight of Shinde for us was the game viewing, which was the best we experienced. Our guide was extremely impressive - probably the best we have had anywhere in Africa - and we were able to track a pride of lion through the concession at night, and see a leopard with a recent kill. Much of this is down to luck, but the staff at Shinde will find game if it's out there! We certainly didn't think that the lack of a tracker was any handicap. The heronry at Shinde has recently been destroyed by elephants so it may be disappointing if that's a particular reason to visit, but the boat and mokoro activities on the water were great nevertheless - including seeing a sitatunga near the camp from a mokoro.
Overall excellent. But we thought that a couple of days at Shinde was probably enough, and were glad that we had planned to see another concession (at Kanana) afterwards rather than spend more time there." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
"Leopards at Shinde"
Tea/coffee would have been welcome on the morning drives.
Organisation a bit lackadaisical; we waited for over 30 minutes past the agreed time one night to be collected from our room." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
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Other lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kwara Camp
Kwara Camp's private reserve boasts land and water activities year round, with excellent game-viewing opportunities and access to permanent channels of the north-east Okavango Delta.
Little Vumbura
On a secluded island within a private reserve, Little Vumbura combines superb game viewing with a broad diversity of habitats in a truly picturesque setting.
Splash Camp
Set in the Kwara Reserve, offering superb wildlife viewing year-round, Splash offers both land and water activities led by guides with a particular knack for tracking big game.
Chitabe Lediba
Chitabe Lediba, in Botswana's southern Okavango Delta, is a small family friendly safari camp; it offers great dry-land safaris and in our experience consistently delivers good game sightings.
Kanana
In a beautiful part of the Delta, Kanana focuses on fantastic water activities and birding – including exclusive access to an impressive heronry.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
The luxurious Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, beside Moremi Game Reserve, with superb big-game viewing.
Chitabe Camp
In the southern Okavango Delta, the excellent Chitabe Camp concentrates on dry-land safaris in an area that we've found particularly good for wild dog sightings.
Shinde Footsteps
Small and simple, but comfortable, Shinde Footsteps focuses on walking safaris as well as game drives; it also runs a special children's programme so is particularly suitable for families.
Gomoti Plains
Overlooking a tributary of the Gomoti River, Gomoti Plains Camp is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a good game-viewing area.
Nxabega Tented Camp
Nxabega offers a selection of both land- and water-based activities, plus very good guiding, food and service, but game viewing can be somewhat erratic.
Tubu Tree Camp
A traditional tented camp with a distinctive tree-house feel, Tubu Tree offers some of the best game viewing in the Jao Reserve.
Vumbura Plains
Indulgently stylish and luxurious, Vumbura Plains offers superb game viewing and birding on an exceptionally varied private reserve.
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is a small safari camp with an informal island feel; it is ideal for water-based activities in the Delta and offers excellent birdwatching.
Kwetsani Camp
Deep in the Delta, overlooking a floodplain, Kwetsani Camp is a small, high-end camp with good access to areas for land and water-based activities.
Duba Explorers Camp
Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains Camp is a traditional yet luxurious safari camp, best known for the thrilling lion behavior interaction that is often see during the day.
Pom Pom Camp
Amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery, Pom Pom offers idyllic mokoro trips in season, great birdwatching, and increasingly good big-game sightings, especially leopards.
Baines' Camp
Baines' Camp is a well-run, intimate camp in a pretty part of the Okavango, offering a range of activities and the option to spend a morning walking with elephants.
Stanley's Camp
In a private concession south of Moremi Game Reserve, Stanley's Camp offers 4WD game drives, seasonal water activities and a superb elephant interaction.
Little Tubu
Little Tubu is a new, traditional camp with just three tented chalets and a distinctive tree-house feel. The areas around it can be explored by water and land-based activities year round.
Pelo Camp
In a pristine wilderness environment deep in the Okavango Delta, the seasonal Pelo Camp is tented yet comfortable, with activities focusing on excursions by mokoro.
4 Rivers
4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.
Xaranna
Xaranna is a plush tented camp amongst the idyllic waterways and islands of the Delta. Each air-conditioned tent has a plunge pool. Water activities and pampering are the focus here.
Rra Dinare
Located in a private concession in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River, Rra Dinare is a traditional-style, well-priced camp.
Jao Camp
In a beautiful area with fantastic water activities, Jao combines an idyllic location with high levels of luxury and service, and a top-end spa.
Seba Camp
Seba Camp is a luxury camp in a lovely location that offers the full range of water and land safari activities, depending on the time of year. This camp is particularly suitable for families.
Setari Camp
Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"
Okavango Explorers
The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.
Abu Camp
Abu Camp is an exclusive safari camp on the western side of the Botswana's Okavango Delta - offering superb elephant-back safaris and opportunities to walk with them too.
Kiri Camp
Kiri Camp is the latest Okavango offering from the excellent team behind Machaba. In an exciting new location in the heart of the Delta we cannot wait to visit this new camp.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
Okavango Walking Safari
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari camps in a secluded Okavango Delta Reserve where there are few roads; the ideal location for a walking trail led by an expert guide.
Duke’s Camp
On a remote island within a vast private concession, the eclectic Duke’s Camp is nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains of the Okavango.
Sitatunga Island Camp
Tucked away in a pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, the exclusive Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based camp offering boating, mokoro trips and fishing.
Atzaro Okavango
With a high level of tasteful luxury promised at Atzaro, we think it will be best suited to travellers seeking a touch of pampering alongside their safari.
Mokolwane
Deep in the heart of the Okavango, Mokolwane promises adventure in a largely untouched area.
Eagle Island Lodge
Eagle Island Lodge is a luxurious camp with international-style facilities including air conditioning and intercom in each room; offering water based activities in the Okavango Delta.
North Island Okavango
Deep in quintessentially “Okavango” territory, between deep-water and dry-land habitats, North Island focuses on a luxury safari experience with very good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mbamba
Deep within the northern Okavango, the classically styled Mbamba is set to open in a wildlife-rich private concession in April 2025.
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.
